What to Do After a Car Accident

Immediately after an accident: check all parties for injuries, move vehicles to a safe place, and call 911. Then document everything with photos and focus on your legal obligations.

Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: March 22, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Document everything at the scene — photos of all vehicles, damage, license plates and road conditions — before moving your car or exchanging information.

Notify your insurer within 24 to 72 hours of the accident regardless of who is at fault, as most policies require prompt reporting to keep your claim valid.

An at-fault accident can raise your car insurance premiums by an average of 40% to 50%, so understanding the financial impact before filing a claim matters.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

A car accident can happen in seconds, but your actions in the minutes and hours after determine whether your insurance claim goes smoothly or falls apart. Your first obligation is safety: check for injuries, move to a safe location if possible, and call 911. After that, your focus shifts to documentation and legal obligation. Learn more about how to file a car insurance claim so you're prepared before you ever need to use it.

Once the immediate crisis is managed, you'll need to decide whether to file a claim and understand what to prioritize. Filing a claim isn't always the right move for minor damage, but you should always report the accident to your insurer. Understanding how rates change after filing a claim helps you make a smarter financial decision on the spot.

Here's what to do right now, in order.

1
Check for Injuries and Call 911
Safety comes before anything else. If anyone is injured, do not move them. Call 911 even for minor accidents — many states require a police report to file an insurance claim. A police report also creates an official record that can protect you if fault is disputed later.
2
Document the Scene Before Moving Vehicles
Take photos of all vehicles, visible damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals and skid marks. Collect the other driver's full name, driver's license number, insurance company, policy number and plate number. If witnesses are present, get their contact information before they leave.
3
Notify Your Insurer Within 24 to 72 Hours
Most auto insurance policies require prompt notification regardless of fault. Failing to report can complicate or void your claim. Have your policy number ready when you call. Your insurer will walk you through how to report the accident and what documentation to provide.
4
File a Claim and Track Your Case
Once you've notified your insurer, decide whether to formally file a car insurance claim. Ask for a claim number and the direct contact for your assigned adjuster. Keep a written record of every conversation, including dates, times and what was discussed.
5
Understand Your Rental and Repair Options
Check whether your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage so you're not paying out of pocket for transportation while your car is repaired. If the damage is severe, your insurer may declare the car a total loss. Knowing how to negotiate a fair payout can affect how much you receive.

What to Do Based on Your Situation

The steps above cover a standard two-car accident where both drivers are present and cooperative. Not every accident follows that pattern. If someone hits your parked car and leaves, the process looks different. If the other driver fled the scene, you'll need to rely on uninsured motorist coverage rather than the at-fault driver's policy. If your vehicle was stolen rather than damaged in a crash, that triggers a separate claims path under comprehensive coverage.

If you were involved in an accident without insurance at the time, your legal exposure and options are substantially different and time-sensitive. Identify which scenario applies to you and follow the process specific to your situation rather than the general framework above.

What an At-Fault Accident Can Cost You

Being found at fault in an accident can hit your finances in four distinct ways: higher premiums, out-of-pocket deductibles, uncovered rental costs and personal legal liability.

Rate Increase

An at-fault accident typically raises your auto insurance premium for three to five years. Drivers with prior incidents may be reclassified as high-risk, which can limit which insurers will cover them and at what price.

Deductible

Before your insurance pays toward repairs, you're responsible for your deductible, typically $500 to $1,000. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium but increases what you owe after an accident.

Rental Gap

If your policy doesn't include rental reimbursement coverage, you'll pay for a rental car entirely out of pocket during the repair period. Repairs can take days to weeks depending on damage severity.

Legal Liability

If the other driver's medical bills or property damage exceed your liability limits, you may be personally responsible for the difference. Umbrella coverage or higher liability limits can protect against this exposure.

How to Protect Yourself Before the Next Accident

The best time to review your auto insurance coverage is before an accident happens. Make sure your policy includes adequate liability limits, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and, if you rely on your car daily, rental reimbursement. Accident forgiveness, offered by some insurers, can prevent your first at-fault accident from triggering a rate increase. Gap insurance matters if you're financing or leasing, since standard coverage may not fully pay off your loan if your car is totaled.

If you've already had an accident and your current insurer raised your rates, it may be time to shop. Switching car insurance after an accident is straightforward and often results in meaningful savings. Compare options for drivers in your situation by reviewing the best cheap car insurance after an accident. Rates vary widely between carriers for the same driving history.

What to do After an Auto Accident: FAQs

What should you do immediately after a car accident?

Check yourself and all passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to a safe location if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Take photos of all vehicles, damage, license plates and road conditions. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and collect witness information if available. Notify your insurance company within 24 to 72 hours, even if you don't plan to file a claim right away.

Do you have to call the police after a minor accident?

Whether you're required to call the police depends on your state. Many states require a police report if there are injuries or if property damage exceeds a certain dollar threshold, often $500 to $1,000. Even when not legally required, a police report creates an official record that can be valuable if the other driver later disputes fault or if injuries appear days after the accident. When in doubt, call.

Should you admit fault at the scene of an accident?

No. Do not admit fault at the scene, even if you believe you caused the accident. Fault determination involves factors you may not be aware of, such as road conditions, the other driver's actions and traffic signal timing. Admissions can be used against you in a claim or lawsuit. Stick to factual statements when speaking with the other driver, witnesses and police. Let the insurance companies and, if necessary, the courts determine fault.

How long do you have to report an accident to your insurance company?

Most auto insurance policies require you to report an accident promptly or as soon as reasonably possible, which insurers typically interpret as within 24 to 72 hours. Some policies have a hard deadline of 30 days. Waiting too long to report can give your insurer grounds to deny the claim. Check your policy language and call your insurer the same day if possible, even if you're not sure whether you'll file a claim.

What happens if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

If the other driver is at fault and uninsured, you can turn to your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you carry it, and it's required in many states. UM coverage can pay for your medical expenses and, in some states, property damage. If you don't have UM coverage, you may need to pursue the at-fault driver directly through a civil lawsuit, which is often difficult if the driver has limited assets.

How does an accident affect your car insurance rates?

An at-fault accident typically increases your car insurance premium by 40% to 50% on average, though the exact amount depends on your insurer, state and driving history. The surcharge usually stays on your record for three to five years. Not-at-fault accidents generally have less impact, but some insurers may still raise rates slightly. Accident forgiveness, if included in your policy, can prevent your first at-fault accident from triggering a rate increase.

Our recommendations are grounded in analysis of auto insurance policy structures, state-mandated reporting requirements and insurer claims procedures. We reviewed data from multiple major carriers and cross-referenced guidance from state insurance departments to make sure accuracy holds across jurisdictions.

This content is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect changes in insurer practices, state regulations and industry-reported rate data. Any statistics related to premium increases or claims timelines are refreshed to make sure figures reflect current market conditions.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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What to Do After a Car Accident

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

Check for Injuries and Call 911

Document the Scene Before Moving Vehicles

Notify Your Insurer Within 24 to 72 Hours

File a Claim and Track Your Case

Understand Your Rental and Repair Options