What To Do After an Accident
Check For Injuries
Determine if anyone is seriously injured. If so, call 911 immediately.
Stay calm and assess the situation
Show concern for everyone involved and remain composed.
Observe the other driver
Take note of their appearance and behavior in case details are needed later.
Move to safety
If there are no serious injuries, move vehicles to a safe location out of traffic.
Exchange information
Collect and verify the following:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
If the driver is not the vehicle owner, be sure to gather the owner’s information as well.
Speak with witnesses
If there are witnesses, get their contact information. Their statements can be valuable.
Document everything
Write down key details, including:
- Vehicle descriptions (make, model, color, year)
- Damage to all vehicles
- Weather and road conditions
- Time and location (nearest cross streets)
- A summary of what happened
Take photos
Photograph the scene, all vehicles, visible damage, and anything relevant.
Avoid admitting fault
Do not admit fault to the other driver or law enforcement at the scene.
File a report
Consider contacting law enforcement to file an official accident report, even if injuries are minor. This helps protect you and supports the claims process.