First Steps After a Car Accident

A car Wreck Can Rattle You, Keep This List of First Steps Handy

First Steps After A Crash

The first few minutes and hours after an accident matter. Use this guide to protect your safety, document what happened, start your claim correctly, and avoid mistakes that can create problems later.

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What To Do First

After a crash, it is easy to feel rushed, pressured, or confused. Slow the situation down as much as possible. Your priorities are safety, documentation, and making sure the claim starts with accurate information.

1

Check For Injuries And Get To Safety

Check yourself, your passengers, and others involved. Call 911 if anyone may be hurt. If it is safe and the vehicles can move, get out of traffic and turn on hazard lights.

2

Call Police When Needed

If there are injuries, major damage, a dispute about what happened, a hit-and-run, an uninsured driver, or a commercial vehicle involved, request a police report. Save the report number if one is provided.

3

Exchange Information

Get the other driver’s name, phone number, insurance company, policy information, license plate, vehicle information, and driver’s license details. Take photos instead of relying on handwritten notes when possible.

4

Take Photos Before Anything Changes

Photograph the scene, vehicle positions, license plates, damage, road conditions, debris, traffic signs, VIN labels, odometer, and any visible injuries. Take wide shots and close-ups from multiple angles.

5

Find Witnesses

If anyone saw the accident, get their name and phone number. Witness information can be difficult to recover later, and it may matter if fault or liability becomes disputed.

6

Start A Claim File

Create a folder for photos, police reports, claim numbers, insurance emails, estimates, supplements, rental paperwork, tow receipts, and repair documents. Keeping records together can save you major headaches later.

What Not To Do After A Crash

Most claim problems start because the driver did not know what to save, what to ask, or what not to say. Avoid these common mistakes.

Do Not Guess About Fault

Do not admit fault at the scene.
Do not guess about what happened.
Do not argue with the other driver.
Stick to facts when speaking with police or insurance.

Do Not Rely On Verbal Promises

Ask for important decisions in writing.
Save emails and text messages.
Write down names, dates, and times.
Document rental approvals, repair decisions, and claim updates.

Do Not Throw Away Paperwork

Save the first estimate.
Save supplements.
Save rental paperwork.
Save tow bills, storage charges, receipts, and final repair documents.

Do Not Assume The First Estimate Is Complete

The first estimate may be written before teardown.
Hidden damage may not be visible yet.
Scans, calibrations, and procedures may not be listed.
Supplements are common during repairs.

EstiVerify Pro Tip

Before your vehicle goes into repairs, take your own photos. Once the vehicle is disassembled, repaired, or moved, it becomes harder to prove what the damage looked like at the beginning of the claim.

Information To Collect

Use this section as a quick reference while the accident details are still fresh.

From The Other Driver

Name and phone number
Insurance company and policy number
Driver’s license photo
License plate photo
Vehicle year, make, and model

From The Scene

Exact location
Date and time
Weather and road conditions
Traffic signs, signals, and lane markings
Names and phone numbers of witnesses

From Police

Police department name
Officer name or badge number
Report number
Instructions for obtaining the report

For Your Own Claim File

Photos and videos
Tow receipts
Rental paperwork
Medical documentation if applicable
All insurance emails and text messages

After The Claim Is Opened

Once the insurance claim begins, the next major step is usually the estimate. This is where many drivers get confused because the first estimate may not reflect the full repair process.

If You Receive An Estimate

Do not assume the first estimate includes everything. Upload it for a Free Estimate Score so you can see whether important repair items may deserve a closer look.

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If Repairs Take Longer Than Expected

Rental coverage, parts delays, supplements, and hidden damage can all create confusion. Learn what to watch for before rental issues become expensive.

Review Rental Car Questions

EstiVerify Pro Tip: Speaking With State Farm?

When speaking with a State Farm claims representative, ask for their alias and write it in your communication log with the date and time. This can help verify who you spoke with if questions come up later about claim decisions, rental extensions, approvals, supplements, or status updates.

Next Helpful Resources

These are the next resources most drivers need after reviewing the first steps.

Insurance Claims Checklist PDF Accident Documentation Guide How To Take Better Photos Rental Car Questions I Received An Insurance Estimate Get Free Estimate Score

Already Received An Insurance Estimate?

Upload it for a Free Estimate Score and see whether important repair items may be missing before you make decisions about the claim or repairs.

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Quick Decision Estimate

Not sure whether to accept a cash-out or file a full claim?

Our Quick Decision Estimate gives you fast clarity.
You upload photos, and our certified estimators build an unbiased repair assessment using real OEM procedures.
We show the true cost of repairs so you can see if the cash-out offer is fair — before you make a costly decision.