What to Do After a Car Accident: Step-by-Step Guide
You’ve likely seen countless accidents while driving and you may have even been involved in one yourself. Collisions happen every day, even to the most careful drivers.
Whether your fender has been tapped at an intersection or you’re in the middle of a five-car pileup, any accident can be stressful. It’s completely normal to feel scared, panicked, or unsure of what to do next, even for seasoned drivers. While we hope you will never need this information, this guide will help you navigate the scene of an accident safely and collect all the information you’ll need to file an auto insurance claim afterward.
Immediately After the Accident
The immediate aftermath of an accident can be extremely overwhelming. Your heart is racing, your thoughts are scattered, and everything feels like a blur. However, it’s important to try and stay calm. Take the following steps to establish the safety of everyone involved and ensure you have all the necessary information to start the claims process:
- Assess the safety of everyone involved in the accident. If you or anyone else on the scene has been injured, immediately contact emergency services. Emergency services should also be called if the accident has resulted in any additional dangers, such as electrical or fire hazards.
- If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle out of traffic. Side streets, nearby parking lots, or the breakdown lane on the highway are good places to pull over if your car is in drivable condition.
- Put your car in park and turn off the engine. Remove the key from the ignition and turn your hazard lights on to let other drivers know you’ve stopped.
- Call 911. Police officers will create an official police report to document the incident. This is crucial to the claims process because it helps determine who is at fault for the collision, which affects your potential liability.
Important Information to Gather from Other Drivers
While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, it’s important to gather this essential information from the other drivers involved in the accident:
- Driver’s first and last name
- Driver’s license numbers
- Driver’s contact information
- Driver’s insurance details, including the name of their insurance company and policy numbers
- License plate numbers of their vehicle
- Description of their vehicle, including make, model, and year
- The names and contact information of any passengers who were involved in the accident
Additional Information to Collect at the Scene
Along with details about the drivers, passengers, and other vehicles involved in the crash, you should also gather the following information if possible:
- The names and badge numbers of the police officers who respond to the accident
- The names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident
What to Photograph at the Scene
Photos are crucial to the claims process; they provide visual evidence of the accident and help confirm what happened. Take pictures of all vehicles involved including your own and make sure to capture the following:
- Close-up and wide-angle shots of damage to all vehicles, including dents, scratches, broken glass, and any other visible damage
- The location where the accident occurred
- The positions of each vehicle, especially if they have not been moved from the original spot where the accident happened
In addition, you should take pictures of the other driver’s license and insurance card. This will ensure you have the correct spelling of names and accurate insurance information and policy numbers, preventing issues later in the claims process.
Next Steps After Leaving the Scene of the Accident
After you’ve exchanged all necessary information with other drivers, taken detailed photographs, and had the police complete their report, you can then leave the scene of the accident and focus on the next step: filing a claim.
As soon as you’re in a safe location, contact your local Bearingstar agent. Our Massachusetts and Connecticut professionals are just a phone call away or can be reached online as well. At Bearingstar, we understand that filing a claim can be intimidating, and the last thing you need after an accident is added stress. That’s why our agents are here to guide you through each step. We’ll make sure your claim is filed quickly and accurately so you feel supported throughout the entire process.
Back to Blog