I'm Anthony Calhoun, ASE Master Technician with 25 years of shop experience. After 25 years working on cars, I've seen the aftermath of a lot of accidents come through the shop. The biggest mistake I see car owners make is not documenting properly at the scene — and by the time their car gets to a shop, they've lost evidence that would have made their insurance claim simple. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in order, starting from the moment the accident happens.
Immediate Steps — First 5 Minutes
The first five minutes after an accident are the most important. Follow the steps above in order. The priority sequence matters: safety first, then documentation, then information exchange, then insurance.
One thing most people forget in the moment: turn on your hazard lights immediately. This is the first thing you should do after impact, before you even check yourself for injuries. It alerts other drivers. Secondary accidents — other cars hitting yours while it's stopped in traffic — cause serious injuries every year.
How to Document the Scene Properly
Your phone is your most important tool at an accident scene. Use it aggressively. Here's exactly what to photograph:
- All four sides of every vehicle involved, including vehicles with no visible damage
- Close-up shots of all damage on every vehicle
- License plates of every vehicle, clearly readable
- The other driver's insurance card and driver's license — ask if you can photograph these directly
- The wider scene: road signs, traffic signals, lane markings, skid marks, debris
- Your own position on the road before the vehicles are moved
- Any visible injuries — this matters for medical claims
- Weather and road conditions — wet road, sun glare, construction zones
Take more photos than you think you need. Storage is free. Missing a photo later is not.
If your phone has a video mode, consider recording a short walk-around of the scene while narrating what you see. A 60-second video captures context that still photos miss.
Information to Exchange
You are legally required to exchange information with the other driver. Here is the complete list of what you need from them and what you must provide:
- Full legal name
- Phone number
- Driver's license number and state
- License plate number and state
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and year
If there are passengers in the other vehicle, get their names as well. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. The police report will capture some of this, but officers sometimes miss passengers or witnesses — especially in a busy scene.
Dealing With Insurance
Call your insurance company from the scene or as soon as you are safely away from it. Do not wait until the next day. The claims process starts with your report, and the sooner you file, the better protected you are if the other party tries to change their story.
When you call:
- Report the facts of what happened — do not speculate about fault
- Provide the other driver's information
- Note the claim number your insurer gives you — you will need this for every future call
- Ask whether your policy covers a rental car while yours is being repaired
If the other driver was at fault, their insurance is responsible for your repairs. You can file with their insurer directly (a "third-party claim") or file with your own insurer and let them go after the other party (called "subrogation"). Your insurer will advise you on which path is faster given the circumstances.
Assessing Your Vehicle After the Accident
Even a minor accident can cause damage that is not immediately visible. Before driving your car away, do a quick walk-around:
- Check all four tires — look for sidewall damage or slow leaks from bent rims
- Check for fluid leaks under the vehicle — coolant, oil, or brake fluid on the ground is a serious problem
- Check that the hood latches securely — a hood that pops open at highway speed is extremely dangerous
- Turn on all lights and check they work — headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights
- Drive slowly at first and feel for pulling to one side, vibration, or brake pedal changes
If you notice any burning smell after an accident, pull over immediately. Damaged wiring, a ruptured fuel line, or friction from body panels contacting moving parts can all create fire risk. This is not something to drive through.
After a significant collision, have the vehicle inspected at a shop even if it seems to drive fine. Frame damage, bent suspension components, and airbag system issues are not always detectable from a visual check. You can find professional-grade diagnostic guides at APEX Tech Nation to help you understand what a post-accident inspection should cover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving the scene early. In every state, leaving the scene of an accident before exchanging information is a crime — even in a minor fender bender. Stay until you have everything documented.
- Accepting a cash settlement on the spot. The other driver offering cash to "keep insurance out of it" is a red flag. You cannot know the full extent of vehicle damage or injuries in the first few minutes. Once you accept cash and leave, you have almost no recourse if the damage is worse than it looked.
- Posting about the accident on social media. Anything you post can be used against you in an insurance claim or lawsuit. Wait until everything is resolved.
- Forgetting to notify your insurer even if you are not filing a claim. Most policies require you to report accidents regardless of whether you intend to file. Failure to report can create complications if the other party later files a claim against you.