What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle accidents can be disorienting, even when they're minor. Knowing the right steps to take in the moments and days afterward can help protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover costs through insurance.

1. Check for injuries and get to safety

Before anything else, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If it's safe to do so and the vehicles are drivable, move them out of traffic. Turn on hazard lights and, if you have them, set out warning triangles or flares to alert other drivers.

2. Call for help

Even for accidents that seem minor, it's generally a good idea to call 911 or your local non-emergency police line. An official police report can be an important piece of documentation later, especially if a dispute arises about how the accident happened.

3. Exchange information

Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers with the other driver(s) involved. If there are witnesses nearby, it can help to get their contact information as well, in case their account of events is needed later.

4. Document the scene

Photos of vehicle damage, the surrounding area, road conditions, and any visible injuries can all be useful later on. Try to capture wide shots of the whole scene as well as close-ups of specific damage.

5. Seek medical attention

Some injuries, like whiplash or soft-tissue damage, aren't always obvious right away. Getting checked out by a medical professional soon after an accident, even if you feel fine, creates a health record that can matter if symptoms show up later.

6. Notify your insurance company

Most insurance policies require that you report an accident within a certain window of time. Have your policy number, the police report (if one was filed), and any photos or notes ready when you call. Your insurer can walk you through what your specific policy covers and what the claims process looks like.

7. Keep records as the process moves forward

Keep copies of everything — repair estimates, medical bills, correspondence with insurance adjusters, and any time missed from work. Organized records tend to make claims move more smoothly and give you something to refer back to if questions come up later.

Every accident and every insurance policy is different, so the specifics of your situation may not match this general overview exactly. When in doubt, your insurance provider or a qualified professional can give guidance specific to your circumstances.