What to do after a car accident: a step-by-step checklist

A collision is disorienting, even a minor one. Your heart is racing and it's hard to think clearly. That's exactly why a simple checklist helps: when you know the next step, you can move through those first chaotic minutes calmly and protect yourself, your passengers, and your claim. Here is what to do, in order.

Step 1: Check for injuries and call 911

Before anything else, make sure everyone is okay — yourself, your passengers, and anyone in the other vehicle. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it's always safer to have help on the way. Adrenaline can mask pain, so don't downplay how you feel.

Step 2: Move to safety and turn on your hazards

If the vehicles are drivable and it's safe to do so, move them out of the flow of traffic — onto the shoulder or a nearby parking lot — and turn on your hazard lights. This prevents a second collision and keeps everyone out of harm's way. If a vehicle can't be moved, stay clear of traffic while you wait for help.

Step 3: Document everything

This is the step that protects you most. Before anything is moved (when it's safe), gather clear evidence:

• Photos of the scene — the full scene, both vehicles, and the damage from several angles.
• Skid marks, signs and signals, and road conditions — anything that shows how the collision happened.
• The other driver's information — name, contact details, and insurance information.
• Witnesses — names and contact information for anyone who saw what happened.

More documentation is always better. A few extra photos now can settle a dispute later.

Step 4: Get an official police report

Ask for an official police report at the scene. A report creates a neutral, third-party record of what happened — and it's especially important in a not-at-fault collision, where you'll want independent proof that you weren't to blame. Note the report number and the responding officer's information.

Step 5: Do not admit fault

It's human to say "I'm sorry" — but at an accident scene, don't. Do not apologize or admit blame, even to be polite. Fault is determined later by the insurers, and by the police report if needed. Stick to the facts: exchange information, document the scene, and let the professionals sort out who was responsible.

Step 6: Notify your insurance company

Report the accident to your insurer promptly — a good rule is within 24 hours. Give them the facts you documented, and keep detailed records of every interaction: call notes, emails, and letters. Good records make the entire claim smoother and give you something to point back to if anything is ever in question.

Step 7: Choose your own repair shop

Here's the part many drivers don't realize: the choice of repair shop is yours. In California, an insurer cannot require you to use a specific shop, and you don't have to accept the one an adjuster suggests. Pick the shop that will repair your vehicle to the manufacturer's exact standard — not just the one on the insurer's list. (More on that in do I have to use the shop my insurance recommends?)

What NOT to do after an accident

• Don't apologize or admit fault — let the insurers determine who was responsible.
• Don't leave the scene before exchanging information and, when required, waiting for police.
• Don't skip the documentation — you can't recreate photos of the scene later.
• Don't agree to settle privately or accept cash on the spot to skip a claim.
• Don't assume you must use the insurer's shop — the choice is yours by law.

If the accident wasn't your fault

If another driver caused the collision, you generally have two ways to handle the repair. You can file directly with the at-fault driver's insurer — which may let you avoid paying your deductible, though that insurer will verify the details first. Or you can file with your own insurer, pay your deductible up front, and potentially have it refunded once your company recovers the cost from the other insurer. Either way, that official police report from Step 4 makes proving fault far easier.

The bottom line

The minutes after a collision feel chaotic, but the checklist is short: make sure everyone's safe, get to safety, document everything, don't admit fault, and notify your insurer. After that, the hardest part is behind you — and choosing the right shop is a decision you get to make. That's where we come in.

This article is general information for California drivers, not legal advice. For questions about your specific policy, claim, or accident, consult your insurer or an attorney.