After a car accident, call 911, move to safety, exchange insurance information, photograph all damage, and notify your insurer within 24 hours. NHTSA reported 39,254 traffic fatalities in 2024, so prioritizing safety at the scene is critical before anything else.
Six million non-fatal motor vehicle crashes happen every year in the United States, according to NHTSA's 2023 data. Many drivers search "what to do after a car accident" from the side of the road, so this guide breaks the process into three timelines: what to do at the scene, within 24 hours, and within one week. If you need to file a car insurance claim, the steps below will also prepare you with every document and detail your insurer requires.
At the Scene: Minutes 0 to 30
Adrenaline floods your system after a collision, which can mask pain and cloud judgment. Follow these five steps in order, starting the moment the vehicles come to rest.
Check for injuries
Assess yourself, then check on passengers and occupants of other vehicles. Call 911 immediately if anyone reports pain, bleeding, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. NHTSA's 2024 data shows 2.42 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes that year, so treat any complaint seriously.
Move to safety
Pull vehicles to the shoulder or a parking lot if they are drivable. Turn on hazard lights. The III recommends placing road flares or reflective triangles 50 to 100 feet behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
Call 911 and request a police report
Most states require a police report when injuries occur or property damage exceeds $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the state. Georgia's threshold is $500; Texas sets it at $1,000; Illinois requires a report above $1,500. Ask the responding officer for a report number before leaving.
Exchange information with the other driver
Collect the other driver's full name, phone number, address, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number. Record the make, model, and color of their vehicle. Ask any bystander witnesses for their name and phone number as well.
Photograph everything
Take 20 to 30 photos from multiple angles: damage to all vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, road signs, debris, license plates, and the overall intersection or roadway. Timestamp metadata on your phone camera will verify when each photo was taken.
Open your phone's voice recorder and dictate a summary of what happened while details are fresh. Include the time, location, weather, and a description of how the collision occurred. Insurance adjusters at companies like State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO review these notes when evaluating your claim.
What to Document Before You Leave the Scene
Your insurance company will ask for specific details when you file your claim. Missing even one piece of information can delay your payout by weeks.
| Document | Where to Get It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Police report number | Responding officer at the scene | Required by most insurers to process claims; confirms official record of the crash |
| Other driver's insurance card | Photograph the physical card | Contains policy number and company name needed to file a third-party claim |
| Witness contact info | Ask bystanders directly | Independent witness statements can resolve fault disputes, saving you the 45% average rate surcharge |
| Photos of all vehicle damage | Your smartphone camera | Visual evidence supports your claim; average property damage claim is $5,314 (NAIC) |
| Photos of the scene | Your smartphone camera | Road conditions, traffic signals, and weather context help adjusters determine fault |
| Dashcam footage | Your vehicle's dashcam (if installed) | Provides real-time video evidence; save the file immediately to prevent overwrite |
Source: Insurance Information Institute (III), accident documentation guidelines.
What NOT to Say After a Car Accident
Statements you make at the scene can be used against you during the claims process. The III specifically advises drivers to avoid discussing fault with the other party.
Never say "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault" at the scene. In many states, these statements can be interpreted as an admission of liability. Even a well-meaning apology could cost you thousands: the average bodily injury claim is $22,734 according to NAIC data, and an at-fault determination triggers a 45% average rate increase according to Insurify's 2026 analysis.
- "I didn't see you" implies you were not paying attention, which adjusters at Progressive, Allstate, and other carriers classify as driver negligence.
- "I'm fine" can undermine a later injury claim if whiplash or soft-tissue damage surfaces 24 to 72 hours after impact. Mayo Clinic reports that whiplash symptoms commonly appear within 48 hours but can take days or weeks to develop.
- "Let's just handle this without insurance" leaves you with zero documentation if the other driver later claims injuries or files a lawsuit. Property damage repairs average $5,314 per claim (NAIC), which is more than most people expect from a "minor" crash.
Stick to factual statements when speaking with police: the time, location, direction of travel, and speed. Let the officer, your insurer, and your attorney (if you hire one) handle fault determination.
Within 24 Hours After a Car Accident
Once you leave the scene, a second set of tasks becomes urgent. Most insurance policies require notification within 24 to 48 hours.
Notify your insurance company
Call your insurer's claims line or use their mobile app. GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, and Allstate all offer 24/7 digital claim filing. Provide the police report number, photos, and the other driver's insurance details. Your adjuster will explain which types of car insurance coverage apply to your situation.
See a doctor, even if you feel fine
Between 14% and 42% of whiplash patients develop chronic symptoms, according to medical research published on PubMed. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours after impact. A medical exam within 24 hours creates a documented link between the crash and any injuries, which strengthens your insurance claim.
Obtain the police report
Visit your local police department's website or records office to request a copy. Many departments, including those in California and Texas, make reports available online within 3 to 5 business days. You will need the report number from the responding officer.
Start a written record
Create a folder (physical or digital) and save every document: the police report, medical bills, photos, tow receipts, and all correspondence with your insurer. Organized documentation speeds up claim processing and protects you if the other driver's insurer disputes your account.
Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries frequently appear 24 to 72 hours after a collision. Mayo Clinic notes symptoms include neck stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. Delaying medical attention weakens your claim and risks your health. About 10% of whiplash patients report permanent symptoms, according to clinical research.
If the other driver was uninsured, your own uninsured motorist coverage kicks in. NHTSA data shows approximately 12.6% of U.S. drivers carry no insurance at all, so this coverage is not optional in practical terms, even in states where the law does not mandate it.
Within One Week After a Car Accident
The first week determines whether your claim progresses smoothly or stalls. Complete these four actions before 7 days pass.
Get a repair estimate
Take your vehicle to two or three certified body shops for written estimates. The average cost of car insurance reflects rising repair expenses: property damage claims averaged $5,314 in the most recent NAIC data, up from $4,525 five years earlier. Your insurer may also send their own adjuster to inspect the vehicle.
Arrange a rental car
If your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage (typically $30 to $50 per day), contact your insurer to activate it. Progressive and GEICO allow you to set up a rental through their apps within minutes. Without this coverage, you will pay out of pocket, which averages $40 to $75/day for a midsize sedan from Enterprise or Hertz.
Follow up with your adjuster
Call your assigned claims adjuster to confirm they received your police report, photos, and medical documentation. Ask for a timeline on the next steps. According to the III, most auto insurance claims are resolved within 30 days, but complex cases involving injuries or disputed fault can take 60 to 90 days.
Check your state's DMV reporting deadline
Many states require drivers to file a separate accident report with the DMV within 5 to 10 days. California's SR-1 form is due within 10 days if anyone was injured or if damage exceeds $1,000. New York's MV-104 must be filed within 10 days for crashes involving injury, death, or damage over $1,000. Missing these deadlines can result in license suspension.
If your vehicle is declared a total loss, your insurer pays the car's actual cash value (ACV), not what you owe on your loan. Drivers with collision coverage receive ACV minus their deductible. Gap insurance covers the difference between ACV and your remaining loan balance, which can be $4,000 to $8,000 on a newer vehicle.
When You Must Call Police: State Reporting Requirements
Every state sets its own rules for when a police report is mandatory after a crash. Calling 911 is always the right move if anyone is injured, but property-damage-only accidents have different thresholds.
| State | Damage Threshold for Mandatory Report | Reporting Deadline | Where to File |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1,000 or any injury | 10 days (SR-1 form) | DMV |
| Texas | $1,000 or any injury | 10 days (CR-2 form) | TxDOT |
| Florida | $500 or any injury | 10 days | FLHSMV |
| New York | $1,000 or any injury | 10 days (MV-104) | DMV |
| Illinois | $1,500 ($500 if uninsured) | 10 days | Secretary of State |
| Georgia | $500 or any injury | Immediately at scene | Local police |
| Michigan | Any injury or vehicle cannot be driven | Immediately | Local police |
| Ohio | $1,000 or any injury | 6 months | BMV |
Source: State DMV and DOT websites; thresholds current as of 2026. Always verify with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles for the most current requirements.
Failing to report an accident within your state's deadline can result in license suspension, fines, or both. In California, an unreported accident can lead to a 1-year license suspension. Check your state's DMV website within 24 hours of the crash to confirm the exact filing requirement.
How an Accident Affects Your Insurance Rates
An at-fault accident triggers an average 45% rate increase nationwide, according to Insurify's April 2026 data. On a $2,148/year full-coverage policy (the national average per Insurify), that surcharge adds roughly $966 per year, or about $81/month.
Rate impacts vary dramatically by state. North Carolina drivers face the steepest surcharge at 146%, while Pennsylvania's average increase is 35%. Drivers in states like Florida and Michigan fall somewhere in between. Most insurers keep the surcharge on your record for 3 to 5 years, which means one at-fault accident can cost $2,898 to $4,830 over that period at the national average.
Not-at-fault accidents sometimes trigger smaller increases (5% to 10%) depending on your carrier. Progressive and GEICO typically do not surcharge for not-at-fault claims, but some smaller regional carriers do. Ask your agent directly. Accident forgiveness endorsements, offered by Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide, prevent the first at-fault surcharge if you purchased the add-on before the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call the police even for minor crashes. A police report creates an official record that your insurer needs to process the claim. In states like Georgia, reporting is mandatory for any crash with $500 or more in damage. Repair costs for a "minor" bumper replacement average $1,200 to $1,800 at certified body shops, which exceeds most state thresholds.
Most insurance companies require notification within 24 to 48 hours, though some policies allow up to 30 days. Filing promptly matters: the III recommends contacting your insurer the same day while details are fresh. Check your specific policy's "duties after a loss" section for the exact deadline. Late filing can result in claim denial.
About 12.6% of U.S. drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. Your uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and, in some states, your vehicle damage. Without this coverage, you would need to sue the other driver directly, which can take 12 to 18 months and may yield nothing if they have no assets.
Insurance and lawsuits serve different purposes. Your collision and medical payments coverage handles your own expenses, while a lawsuit targets the at-fault driver for damages beyond your policy limits. In tort states (38 states plus D.C.), you can file a personal injury lawsuit. In no-fault states like Michigan, Florida, and New York, you must meet a serious injury threshold first. Average car accident injury settlements reach $30,416 according to ConsumerShield's 2026 data.
- NHTSA — 2024 Traffic Fatality Estimates and 2025 Early Estimates
- Insurance Information Institute (III) — What to Do at the Scene of an Accident
- Insurify — How Much Does Car Insurance Increase After an Accident? (2026)
- Insurance Information Institute — Facts and Statistics: Auto Insurance (NAIC Claim Data)
- Mayo Clinic — Whiplash: Symptoms and Causes
- Enjuris — State-by-State Laws and Requirements for Reporting a Car Accident
- ConsumerShield — Average Settlement for Car Accident (2026)