What to Do After a Car Accident



After a car accident, you might not know what to do next; a car accident is a dreaded occurrence that no one wants to experience. It’s important to know what steps to take in the seconds, minutes, hours, and days that follow to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property. Read on to learn more about what to do after a car accident so you’re prepared should you find yourself involved in one in the future. 

What to Do After a Car Accident: A Checklist

Minor Accidents

Minor car accidents don’t usually involve injuries and include situations like a fender bender or someone backing into your car in a parking lot. Here’s what you should do after a minor car accident:

1. See if anyone needs medical attention. Call 911 right away if necessary. 
2. Pull your car out of traffic. Don’t drive too far away from the scene of the accident, but try not to block traffic. 
3. Call the police. Your insurance company may require a document police report of the accident, so it’s good to call, even if there are no injuries. 
4. Exchange contact info. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of the other parties involved. Get a photo of everyone’s driver’s license, license plate numbers, and insurance cards. Ask anyone who witnessed the accident for their contact info as well. 
5. Document any damage to your car. Photograph the damage to your vehicle, as well as the other car/s involved. Get a photo of where the accident occurred if possible. 
6. Call your insurance provider. Provide your insurance company will the details of the accident as soon as possible, so they can begin working on your claim. 

Major Accidents

Major car accidents can involve serious injuries or death, so the steps you’ll take are a bit different and require more urgency: 

• Call 911 without delay. Summon emergency assistance if you or your passenger are injured, or have someone call on your behalf if possible. If you’re taken to the hospital, the police will document any important information for you, but you should follow up to make sure you have everything you need to file your claim. 
• Contact your insurance provider. If someone filed a claim for you while you were receiving medical care, you should still contact your insurance provider. They may need more information from you about the accident, which will help speed your claim along. 
• See your doctor. If you have lingering pain after the accident, you’ll want to follow up with your doctor for ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy. 

How to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim

Filing a car accident insurance claim is pretty standard, regardless of the insurance provider. For starters, you’ll need the following information to begin the claim: 

• Your insurance policy number
• A detailed account of the accident and how it happened 
• Date, time, and scene of the collision 
• The contact and insurance information from the other driver/s and witnesses (if any) 
• Police report number and police department that responded (if applicable) 

Once your insurance company has all of the information it needs, your car will be evaluated by a claims adjuster who will give you an estimate of the repairs. This is where taking photos can benefit you because if there are no photos or the photos are insufficient; you’ll need to schedule an in-person inspection. 

Schedule Service at Auto Express! 

If you were recently involved in an accident and need new parts or car repair, the service team at Auto Express can help! Schedule a service visit online, or call us at 765-588-5140 to learn more about our service menu.