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-- Updated June 2026 --
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With AAA, roadside assistance is always a click or call away.
Picture this: You’re on your way to work, the roads are more congested than usual. What is normally a 60 mph zone has slowed to a grating 40 mph crawl filled with the intermittent glow of taillights. You begrudgingly tap your brakes, keeping pace with surrounding traffic, then CRUNCH. Your head jolts backward and your car shakes after someone’s front end connects with your rear bumper.
Now what? Do you know what to do after a car accident? If not, these six things will help you navigate the situation with confidence.
Whether you’ve experienced a major collision or a minor fender bender, it’s important to remain calm. Fear, anger, frustration and more can cloud judgment. If there is no immediate danger to you or others, take a moment to collect yourself. When navigating the stresses of a car crash, it’s important to approach things with a clear head and calm tone.
2. Check for injuries
Whether you’re traveling alone or with passengers, take a moment to assess for injuries. If anyone needs immediate medical help, call 911 to mobilize an ambulance. After checking on everyone in your vehicle, it’s time to check on the people in the other vehicle if your crash involved someone else. Again, if anyone needs immediate assistance, call emergency services.
3. Move to safety, but don’t leave the scene
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident as other vehicles whiz by is not safe. If no one needs medical attention, either move your vehicles or yourselves to a safe distance and turn on your hazard lights. This will ensure your continued safety as you carry out your post-accident responsibilities. If any vehicle can’t be moved away from traffic, call 911 for police assistance.
Are you covered? Talk with a local AAA Insurance agent to review your coverage, identify any gaps and help protect yourself from expensive damage.
Find an Agent4. Submit an accident report with the police
If a police officer doesn’t arrive on the scene, call your local non-emergency number to submit an accident report as soon as possible. A police report provides you with official documentation from an impartial third-party source, which can assist you through the insurance claims process. Can you claim an accident on your insurance without a police report? Yes. However, without it, determining liability is difficult, and the claims process could last much longer. Also, many states require documentation of accidents involving injury or severe property damage.
Note: If you’re unsure whether you are legally required to report an accident in your state, either research your state’s laws or err on the side of caution and contact the police to file a report.
5. Document the scene: Gather and exchange information
As you prepare to make your report, it’s important to note any damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles involved. Take lots of pictures. If another vehicle is involved, the other driver should do the same. When you’re done, it’s important to exchange information with them. This is the information that should be shared after an accident:
6. Contact your insurance provider
The claims process won’t start until you notify your insurance provider of the accident. If you’ve sustained damage or your vehicle is rendered unusable, it’s important to call your provider as soon as possible so that they can conduct their investigation. Be ready with all the documentation you’ve collected as well as your accident report, as these items will be key pieces of evidence during the claims process.
It’s imperative that you remain at the scene unless there is a medical emergency or it is unsafe to stay. Leaving the scene prematurely or without resolving the situation could result in the accident being classified as a hit-and-run, which is a criminal act with severe consequences ranging from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, depending on the severity of the crash.
2. Don’t discuss fault
After an accident, what you say—and how you say it—matters. It’s natural to want to give an explanation to the other driver or discuss fault, but it’s important not to do this. Even a simple apology can be turned into an admission of liability, which can muddy the insurance process. Law enforcement and insurance companies will determine fault based on the evidence collected at the scene from photos, statements and eyewitness testimony.
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly stressful, but keeping these practical steps in mind will help you handle the situation with confidence. By prioritizing safety, gathering the right information and involving the proper authorities, you ensure a much smoother resolution and insurance claim process.
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Join Today!First, stay calm and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911 right away. Next, check on the other driver. If everyone is safe, move your vehicles to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights to protect yourself from passing traffic, but never leave the scene.
Yes, it is highly recommended. Submitting an official police report provides an impartial third-party document of the event. This makes determining liability much easier and helps speed up the insurance claims process.
Before exchanging information, take plenty of photos of the scene and any vehicle damage. Once you have your pictures, collect the following details from the other driver:
Reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible to start the claims process. Be ready to share the police report, photos and driver details you collected so they can begin their investigation right away.
There are two critical things you should never do after an accident:
expect something more
With AAA, roadside assistance is always a click or call away.
This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.
