What to Do After a Car Accident
First Steps at the Accident Scene
Your immediate priority is safety. Once everyone is safe, begin documenting the accident as carefully as possible.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself, your passengers, and the occupants of the other vehicles. Call 911 when anyone may be injured or needs medical attention.
Move to Safety
When it is safe and legally permitted, move the vehicles out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and remain in a secure location.
Contact the Police
Report the accident when required or appropriate. Ask how to obtain the police report or incident number before leaving the scene.
Exchange Information
Exchange driver, vehicle, and insurance information with the other people involved. Remain calm and keep the conversation factual.
Take Photographs
Photograph the vehicles, damage, license plates, roadway, traffic signals, nearby signs, and the overall accident scene when it is safe.
Report the Accident
Contact your insurance carrier as soon as reasonably possible. Claims are handled directly by the insurance company listed on your policy.
Accident Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure the most important accident-scene steps have been completed.
Everyone is in a safe location.
Emergency services were contacted when necessary.
The police or appropriate authorities were notified.
The other driver’s contact information was collected.
The other driver’s insurance information was collected.
Vehicle descriptions and license plates were recorded.
Photographs of all vehicles and damage were taken.
Photographs of the roadway and accident scene were taken.
Witness names and contact information were collected.
The insurance carrier was contacted to report the accident.
Information to Collect
Driver Information
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Driver’s license number
- Current address
- Relationship to the vehicle owner
Insurance Information
- Name of the insurance company
- Policy number
- Named insured
- Claims telephone number
- Photograph of the insurance card
Vehicle Information
- Year, make, and model
- Vehicle color
- License plate number and state
- Vehicle identification number, when available
- Name of the registered owner
Accident Details
- Date and exact time
- Street, intersection, or location
- Direction each vehicle was traveling
- Weather, traffic, and road conditions
- Police report or incident number
Witness Information
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Brief description of what was observed
Photographs to Take
- All sides of every vehicle
- Close-up photographs of the damage
- Wide photographs of the accident scene
- Traffic signs, lights, and lane markings
- Debris, skid marks, or damaged property
Important Mistakes to Avoid
Do Not Admit Fault
Do not make statements accepting responsibility or assigning blame. Give truthful and factual information to the police and insurance company.
Do Not Argue
Avoid confrontations with the other driver or passengers. Remain calm and allow the authorities and insurance carriers to review the facts.
Do Not Guess
Do not estimate speeds, distances, injuries, or facts you do not remember. It is appropriate to say that you are unsure.
Do Not Leave Too Soon
Do not leave until the required information has been exchanged and the appropriate authorities permit you to leave.
Do Not Accept Immediate Cash
Damage or injuries may not be fully visible at the scene. Be cautious about informal agreements before understanding the complete situation.
Do Not Delay Reporting
Report the accident to your insurance carrier promptly. Delayed reporting may make it more difficult to document and investigate the incident.
How to Report an Auto Insurance Claim
Best Formula Insurance is your independent insurance agency. The insurance carrier shown on your policy is responsible for opening, investigating, evaluating, and resolving the claim.
Confirm the name of your insurance company and your policy number.
The claims telephone number may be printed on your insurance card, policy documents, billing statement, mobile application, or carrier website.
Be prepared to provide the date, time, location, vehicle information, names of the parties involved, photographs, and police report number.
Also record the claim representative’s name, telephone number, email address, and requested next steps.
The carrier may arrange an inspection, request photographs, discuss repairs, investigate liability, or provide rental vehicle information when applicable.
Common Accident and Claim Questions
Take Pictures
Photos can help document what happened and provide important information to the insurance company. Only take pictures when it is safe to do so, and never stand in traffic or place yourself in danger.
All Vehicles
Take pictures of all sides of every vehicle involved, even if some areas do not appear damaged.
Close-Up Damage
Take clear close-up pictures of dents, scratches, broken parts, deployed airbags, and other visible damage.
The Full Accident Scene
Take wider pictures showing where the vehicles stopped, the roadway, lanes, intersection, and surrounding area.
License Plates
Photograph the license plate of every vehicle involved and make sure the plate number is readable.
Insurance Information
Take a clear picture of the other driver’s insurance card, driver’s license, and vehicle registration when permitted.
Road Conditions
Photograph traffic signals, stop signs, lane markings, construction areas, potholes, debris, skid marks, and weather conditions.
Property Damage
Take pictures of damaged fences, signs, buildings, parked vehicles, landscaping, or any other property involved.
Important Documents
Save pictures of the police information card, report number, tow-truck information, and any documents provided at the scene.
Safety first: Do not step into traffic, stand between vehicles, or take pictures from an unsafe location. Follow instructions from police officers and emergency personnel.
Need Assistance?
Best Formula Insurance can help you identify your insurance company, locate the appropriate claims department, and understand the next administrative steps. Coverage and claim decisions are made by the insurance carrier.
Important: This guide provides general accident-preparation information and is not legal advice, medical advice, a coverage determination, or a substitute for instructions from law enforcement, emergency personnel, legal counsel, or your insurance carrier. Insurance coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, and endorsements of the applicable policy. Requirements may vary by state and jurisdiction.