What to Do After a Car Accident (Step-by-Step)
A crash is chaos. But what comes after follows a clear order. Make the scene safe. Get the official police report. Tell the insurers. File with the DMVDepartment of Motor Vehicles — Your state agency for driver's licenses, state IDs, and vehicle registration. Some states call it the BMV, DPS, MVD, or DDS.Click for official info ↗ if required. Then track the claim to a payout. Here is the order. It protects you legally and financially.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free (insurance covers repairs minus deductible)
- Total time:
- Day of + 2–6 weeks claim
- Steps:
- 10 steps
- Where to apply:
- usa.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 10 steps
- Before You Go 15 min
Know the golden rules before it ever happens
Keep your insurance card in the glovebox. Keep your registration with it. Check your policy today. Look at your liability limits. Check your collision/comprehensive coverage. Check your deductible amount. Check your uninsured motorist coverage. Also check if you have rental reimbursement. After a crash is the worst time to learn you only carry the state minimum.
Click to mark as done
- Go 5–15 min
Stop, secure the scene, check for injuries
Never drive away. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in every state. This is true even for minor damage. Move the vehicles out of traffic if they can be driven and it is safe. Turn on your hazards first. Check yourself, your passengers, and the other driver. If anyone is hurt or the road is blocked, call 911 right away. If the cars cannot move, stay inside. Keep your seatbelts on until help arrives.
Click to mark as done
- Go 20–45 min
Call the police and get the report number
Many states require police in some cases. These include injury, death, or damage above a set limit. The limit is often $500–$1,000 in many places. Even in a fender-bender, an official report is strong proof for your claim. When officers arrive, give facts only. Never admit fault. Do not say "sorry" at the scene. Ask for three things. Ask for the report number. Ask for the officer name and badge. Ask which agency it is. It may be city police, county sheriff, or state patrol. This helps you order the report later. It usually costs $5–15.
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- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Document everything at the scene
Take photos. Photo both cars from all angles. Take close-ups of the damage. Photo both license plates. Photo the other driver's insurance card and driver's license. Photo skid marks, road signs, the weather, and the whole scene. Write down the other driver's name, phone, insurer, and policy number. Get the names and numbers of witnesses. They leave fast. Note the time, the exact location, and the direction of travel. Do not talk about who was at fault. Only talk about it with the police and your insurer.
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- Submit & Pay 30 min
Notify your insurance company — even if not at fault
Call your insurer within 24 hours. Many policies require "prompt notice". Filing a claim is not an admission of fault. Your company assigns an adjuster. The adjuster inspects the damage and values the repairs. If the other driver was at fault, you can also file a third-party claim. File it directly with THEIR insurer. Get their claim number at the scene or from the police report. Get at least one official shop estimate. You have the right to choose your repair shop.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay 20 min
File the state accident report if required
Many DMVs require YOU to file an accident report. You must file within 10–30 days in some cases. These cases include when police did not respond. They also include when damage goes over a set limit, or anyone was injured or uninsured. Filing late can suspend your license. Download the form from your state DMV site. It is often called an "accident report" or "FR-1"-style form. Keep the stamped copy for your records.
Click to mark as done
- Wait Days–weeks
Handle medical care and watch for late-appearing injuries
Adrenaline hides pain. Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries often appear 24–72 hours later. See a doctor promptly if anything hurts. Use MedPay or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage where you can. Keep every bill, record, and work-loss note. These documents support a bodily injury claim. Do not accept an insurer's first settlement offer for injuries. Wait until your treatment has settled.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up 2–6 weeks
Track the claim and fight a low payout
The adjuster sends a written offer. It includes their valuation. If the offer is below your estimates, reply in writing. This also applies if they owe you diminished value. Send shop quotes, comparable listings, and photos. You can negotiate. You can ask for a second inspection. You can use the appraisal clause in your policy. You can also complain to your state insurance commissioner. This is free. Do this if the insurer stalls or acts in bad faith. Keep a claim diary. Write down every call, name, date, and promise.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up Varies
If the other driver was uninsured or fled
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays you through your OWN policy. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage does the same. Check if you carry them. A hit-and-run with injuries is a crime. Report it to the police. Some states treat it like UM for claims. Collision coverage can also fix your car. It does not matter who was at fault. If you have none of these, small-claims court is the fallback. You take the at-fault driver there.
Click to mark as done
- Receive 1 week
Close out: repairs, rental, and paperwork
Approve the repairs at your chosen shop. The insurer pays the shop directly. Or it pays you back, minus your deductible. You can recover the deductible if the other insurer accepts fault. Rental reimbursement covers a car while yours is in the shop. It pays up to your policy limit. Keep the final repair invoice. Keep the police report and the claim file too. Keep them for at least 3 years. You may need them for lawsuits or problems that show up later.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Leaving the scene. Never drive away. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in every state, even for minor damage.
Admitting fault or saying sorry at the scene. Give facts only to the police. Never admit fault and do not say sorry at the scene. Only talk about who was at fault with the police and your insurer.
Skipping the police report. Even in a fender-bender, an official report is strong proof for your claim. Ask for the report number, the officer name and badge, and which agency responded.
Waiting to tell your insurer. Call your insurer within 24 hours. Many policies require prompt notice. Filing a claim is not an admission of fault.
Missing the state accident report deadline. Many DMVs require you to file an accident report within 10 to 30 days, including when police did not respond, when damage goes over a set limit, or when anyone was injured or uninsured. Filing late can suspend your license.
Accepting the first injury settlement offer. Do not accept an insurer first settlement offer for injuries. Wait until your treatment has settled, and keep every bill, record, and work-loss note to support a bodily injury claim.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The other driver asked me not to call police or insurance. Should I?
No. Offers to "handle it in cash" usually end badly. You may pay for hidden damage. Or you may be blamed later. An unreported accident can void your coverage. In many states, it also breaks the law if damage goes over the reporting limit. Always make the report. Always notify your insurer.
Does filing a claim raise my rates?
Not automatically. Rates mainly rise for at-fault accidents and violations. Not-at-fault claims have little to no effect in most states. Several states ban extra charges for them outright. Ask your insurer about accident forgiveness if you were at fault.
How long do I have to claim or sue?
Insurance policies typically require prompt notice. This means days. DMV reports are due in 10–30 days. Lawsuits must start within the state statute of limitations. This is commonly 2–3 years for injury. It is 3–6 for property. Acting fast keeps your evidence safe. It also keeps your options open.
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