What to Do After a Car Accident: The Step-by-Step Guide That Protects Your Claim

The moments after a car accident are chaotic and stressful. Most people forget critical steps that can hurt their insurance claim later. This guide covers everything from the accident scene through claim resolution - print it and keep it in your glove box.

At the Scene: The First 15 Minutes

1. Stop and check for injuries. Never leave the scene of an accident - it's a crime in every state. Check yourself and all passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Don't attempt to move seriously injured people unless there's an immediate danger (fire, oncoming traffic).

2. Move to safety if possible. If the accident is minor and vehicles are drivable, move them to the shoulder or a parking lot to avoid blocking traffic and preventing secondary accidents. Turn on hazard lights. If vehicles can't be moved, stay in your car with your seatbelt on until help arrives - standing on the roadside is extremely dangerous.

3. Call 911. Even for minor accidents, a police report creates an official record that's invaluable for your insurance claim. In many states, failure to report an accident above a certain damage threshold is a legal violation. Tell the dispatcher: your location, number of vehicles involved, whether anyone is injured, and whether vehicles are blocking traffic.

4. Exchange information. Get from every other driver: full name, phone number, home address, driver's license number, insurance company and policy number, license plate number, vehicle make/model/year/color. Also get names and contact information for any passengers and witnesses. Do not admit fault, apologize, or say "I'm sorry" - even casually. These statements can be used against you in fault determination.

5. Document everything. Use your phone to photograph: all vehicles from multiple angles showing damage, the overall accident scene including road conditions, traffic signs, lane markings, and weather, close-up shots of specific damage on all vehicles, license plates of all vehicles, the other driver's license and insurance card, and any injuries. Take a video walkthrough of the scene if possible. More documentation is always better - you can't go back and re-photograph later.

Within 24 Hours

Report the accident to your insurer. Call your insurer's claims line or report through their app. GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, and Allstate all offer 24/7 claims reporting. Provide factual details only - what happened, where, when, who was involved. Don't speculate about fault or give opinions. Your insurer assigns a claims adjuster who will guide you through next steps.

Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, some injuries (whiplash, concussions, internal injuries) don't show symptoms for 24-72 hours. Seeing a doctor creates a medical record linking any injuries to the accident - crucial if you need to claim medical costs later. If you wait weeks to see a doctor, the other insurer may argue your injuries weren't from the accident.

Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance. The other driver's insurer may call you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You're not obligated to provide one. Politely decline and say you'll cooperate through your own insurer. Their adjuster's job is to minimize their payout - anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.

The Repair Process

Getting repair estimates. Your insurer may send an adjuster to inspect the damage, or you may submit photos through their app for a virtual estimate. You have the right to get your own estimate from any shop. If your estimate is significantly higher than the insurer's, provide documentation and negotiate. Most insurers will work with your preferred shop.

Choosing a repair shop. You can use your insurer's preferred network shop (faster process, often with a repair guarantee) or your own choice of shop (your legal right in every state). Insurer network shops are convenient but may use aftermarket or refurbished parts. If you want OEM (original manufacturer) parts, specify this upfront - your policy may cover them or you may need to pay the difference.

Rental car coverage. If you have rental reimbursement on your policy, your insurer covers a rental car while yours is being repaired. Typical limits are $30-$50/day for up to 30 days. Confirm your rental coverage amount before renting to avoid out-of-pocket surprises.

If Your Car Is Totaled

The insurer declares a total loss when repair costs exceed roughly 70-80% of the car's actual cash value (ACV). You'll receive a settlement offer based on comparable vehicle values in your area minus your deductible. If the offer seems low, research comparable vehicles on Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and local dealer listings. Provide this evidence to your adjuster and negotiate. Most initial total loss offers are negotiable by $500-$2,000.

If you have gap insurance, it pays the difference between the settlement amount and your remaining loan balance. File the gap claim separately with your gap insurer - it's not automatic.

Common Claim Mistakes to Avoid

Don't admit fault at the scene or to any insurance company. Don't sign anything from the other driver's insurer without reviewing it carefully. Don't accept the first settlement offer without comparing it to actual vehicle values. Don't forget to claim diminished value in states that allow it (your car is worth less after an accident, even when fully repaired). Don't wait too long to report - most policies require prompt notification.