What to Do After a Car Accident: Insurance Steps to Take

May 28, 2025

collision car crash in road

Car accidents can happen in seconds, but their consequences often unfold over weeks or even months. In the moments after a collision, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, taking the right steps early on can make a big difference in protecting your health, your finances, and your legal rights. Whether or not you were at fault, what you do next plays a critical role in how your insurance claim is handled.

This guide walks you through the insurance process from the scene of the accident to the final settlement. By understanding what to expect and how to respond, you can avoid common pitfalls and handle the situation with more confidence and clarity.

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Call for Help

The first step to take after a car accident is to determine whether anyone in your vehicle has been injured. If another car was involved, check on the other driver and any passengers. Once you’ve confirmed that everyone is safe, move the impacted vehicles to the side of the road, if possible.

Safety measures to take immediately:

Turn on your hazard lights and set up road flares (if available) to warn other drivers
Call 911 right away if there are any serious injuries
If you smell gasoline or see smoke, move as far away as safety allows and do not attempt to put out a fire yourself

A huge mistake people make after an auto accident is not calling the police. Whether or not it was a serious collision, it’s essential to report the incident to the police. The police report contains pertinent information that helps when filing your insurance claim or if you need to file a lawsuit. You may be able to win a case when the accident report does not present the facts correctly, but it makes it more difficult. Having this report completed at the scene by an officer will likely bolster your claim.

Step 2: Document the Scene

Thorough documentation is crucial for a successful insurance claim. The more evidence you collect, the stronger your position will be when dealing with insurance companies.

Take photos of the scene and any involved vehicles using your smartphone. If you have a camera or cell phone, document the accident scene, including traffic controls and visual obstacles. Get pictures of the other cars involved, including license plates and damages. Also get pictures of street signs and road angles.

Key information to gather:

Names, contact details, and insurance information from all drivers involved
License plate numbers and vehicle information (make, model, year)
Contact information from any witnesses
Date and time of the crash, exact location (note mile markers, cross streets, landmarks), direction(s) you and other driver(s) were traveling, and details about visibility or weather conditions
Location, time of the wreck, weather conditions, and what happened

Be careful of what you say. Don’t blame others or take the blame. An investigation may find you weren’t responsible, and saying “I’m sorry” could complicate your insurance claim(s). Take this conversation seriously because it will set the foundation for your claim and could affect how much compensation you can recover.

Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company

This may be the first essential step, most probably to your policy. The first thing that you should do is to notify your insurance company, regardless of the extent of the damage. Delay the notification and your chance of recovering your claim vanishes into thin air.

You must contact your insurance company immediately after your car accident to get your claim started. Filing a claim promptly ensures a quicker outcome. Regardless of who’s at fault, it’s a good idea to inform your car insurance company that an accident occurred.

When contacting your insurer:

Get the name and phone number of the adjuster assigned to your claim
Provide only the basic facts about the accident
Discuss the details of the collision only with police, medical professionals, and your insurance agent
Follow your insurer’s instructions for filing an auto accident claim, which may include submitting documents and cooperating with their investigation

Most phone conversations at an insurance company are recorded and practically all calls between an insurance adjuster and an accident victim or client are recorded as well. Insurance companies are looking out for themselves and will try to deny your claim or lessen the dollar amount.

Step 4: Understand Your Insurance Coverage

Spend a few minutes going through your auto insurance policy. This will assist you in knowing what type of insurance and amount of coverage you have—collision, comprehensive, and personal injury protection (PIP). By understand your policy coverage, you will be in a position to ask meaningful questions which will enable the claims process to run smoothly.

Common types of auto insurance coverage:

Liability coverage: Pays for bodily injury and property damage to others when you’re at fault
Collision coverage: If you’re not at fault in the accident, there are still steps you need to take to protect your interests. Even if you’re not at fault, it’s essential to notify your insurance company and file a claim.
Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle not caused by a collision (theft, vandalism, natural disasters)
Medical payments/Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses regardless of fault
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protects you if you’re hit by a driver who has no auto insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for the damages or injuries they caused.

Keep in mind that it’s your choice whether to file an auto insurance claim with your insurer or the other driver’s insurer. You can also file a car insurance claim without filing a police report. Generally, your insurer just needs some basic information about the accident to open a claim, including any pictures you took of the damage.

Step 5: Work with the Claims Adjuster

After you’ve notified the insurance company about your auto accident, they’ll quickly assign an insurance adjuster to your case. Sooner or later, you can expect the adjuster to call and ask you for a recorded statement.

When you enter into the insurance claims process understanding that the insurance adjuster is not on your side, you are less likely to offer information or to accept statements from the insurance adjuster that could result in you receiving a lower settlement than you deserve.

Tips for dealing with insurance adjusters:

Be firm but polite. Stick to the facts. Don’t speculate or make assumptions about what happened or who was at fault. Don’t guess. Just describe the simple facts of what happened as objectively as possible.
If you aren’t 100% sure about something, say “I’m not sure” or “I don’t remember.” If you guess—and that guess turns out to be wrong—the insurance company won’t hesitate to attack your credibility in settlement negotiations or a trial.
Don’t admit fault. Avoid even casual statements like “I’m sorry” or “I should have seen it.” Good people often say things like this to be polite or when they’re feeling flustered. The problem is that insurance claims adjusters will take casual statements like this as “proof” of you admitting at least partially fault.
Listen carefully to what the insurance adjuster says. Take notes (if you are able to). Be skeptical. Understand that the claims adjuster isn’t obligated to share all the information the insurance company has on your case with you. Don’t be afraid to (politely) ask open-ended questions or ask them to explain their reasoning behind a decision.
Before you discuss anything, get the name, phone number, and email address of the person you’re speaking with, the name of the insurance company they’re with, and the name of the person or business the company insures.

The insurance adjuster may probe to get you to talk about what happened. They may ask seemingly innocuous questions, but they have a purpose: They are looking to learn everything they can to use against you someday. The adjuster may even ask you to give a recorded statement, which you should not do under any circumstances.

Step 6: Get Repair Estimates and Medical Treatment

After filing your insurance claim, you’ll need to address both vehicle repairs and any medical needs. Getting proper documentation for both is essential for ensuring your claim is processed correctly and you receive appropriate compensation.

Vehicle Repairs

It is up to you where you get your car repaired. If you have a mechanic that you normally work with, you can choose them to do your repairs. Most insurance companies have repair shops that they work with on a regular basis.

After a car accident, drivers should attempt to get multiple repair estimates. One should come from an auto repair shop with a reputation for quality work. If you only get a single estimate, you will not know if the repair shop you selected is asking too much or not enough to do an excellent job on your car. You could also use the estimates to determine an average cost, which can be used to assess the quality of their car insurance company payout, subject to the deductible and collision coverage limitations.

Do your research – Make sure the estimates you obtain are from well-established collision repair shops with a history of performing quality work. Before you contact a shop about getting a repair estimate after a car accident, look into their reputation and read reviews from other car owners.

A qualified adjuster or appraiser usually inspects the vehicle damage. The adjuster or appraiser then writes an estimate based on the initial inspection. If further damage is found during the repair process, the shop will contact the insurer to get approval for the additional cost of repairs.

Medical Treatment

Seeking immediate medical attention is a must, regardless of whether you feel fine or not. Injuries might not be immediately apparent and may surface after some time. Moreover, maintaining consistent medical documentation can significantly support your insurance claim or legal action.

In the heat of the moment, adrenaline might mask the pain of injuries. Many victims don’t realize they’re injured until hours or even days after the accident. That’s why it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention after a car accident, even if you feel fine.

If you went to a doctor, keep medical records and bills to show your insurance company. Maintaining an accurate and consistent record of your medical treatments is of utmost importance. These records serve as crucial evidence in your car accident claim, demonstrating the extent of your injuries and the treatments you’ve received. They help establish the severity of your injuries and the causation and damages in your claim.

Step 7: Keep Records and Follow Up

Maintaining thorough documentation throughout the claims process is essential for ensuring a fair settlement.

Important records to maintain:

A copy of the police report
All medical records and bills
Pictures of the other cars involved, including license plates and damages, street signs and road angles, and witness names and phone numbers
Repair estimates and invoices
Rental car receipts
Records of missed work and lost wages
Date and time of the crash, exact location, direction(s) you and the other driver(s) were traveling, details about visibility or weather conditions
A journal documenting your recovery process
All correspondence with insurance companies

If you have photographs of the accident scene, make sure that they are in a safe place. The same goes for the names and personal information of any potential witnesses. Write down a detailed account of the facts of the accident, as you remember them, as soon as possible after the accident.

Follow up regularly with your insurance company if there are delays in processing your claim. If there are any witnesses, collect their contact information. Their statements can be valuable if disputes arise.

Dealing with Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

It’s bad enough when you’re in a car wreck. But it can be much worse if the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance. According to the insurance claim process timeline, nearly 13% of drivers countrywide don’t have auto insurance.

Without uninsured motorist coverage, if you’re injured or your vehicle is damaged in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could end up paying for medical bills or vehicle repairs out of your own pocket.

Types of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage:

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI): Provides protection for personal (bodily) injuries caused by a negligent driver with no insurance, such as broken bones, lacerations, organ damage, head trauma, back or neck pain, and more.
Underinsured motorist protection: Provides you with financial protection if the negligent driver has some, but not enough, liability insurance to pay for your injuries, including bodily injuries and pain and suffering, lost income, and more.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD): If your car is damaged by an uninsured motorist, then uninsured motorist property damage provides coverage for repairs to your car, up to its actual cash value.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also help pay for damage and injury from a hit-and-run accident or a phantom vehicle. A phantom vehicle causes injury or damage without touching your vehicle. An example of this is a car swerving into your lane and causing you to crash to avoid it.

Consider purchasing more than the minimum amount in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage so that you can avoid getting hung out to dry when your medical bills exceed your policy limits. A good rule of thumb is to purchase at least enough coverage to provide two years’ worth of income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding these common pitfalls can significantly improve your chances of a successful insurance claim:

Not calling the police: A huge mistake people make after an auto accident is not calling the police. Whether or not it was a serious collision, it’s essential to report the incident to the police. The police report has pertinent information that helps when filing your insurance claim or if you need to file a lawsuit.
Admitting fault: In the aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to feel shaken and confused, but one of the biggest legal mistakes to avoid after a car accident is admitting fault or apologizing for the crash. Even if you think you may be partially responsible, avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as admitting guilt.
Delaying medical treatment: Seeking immediate medical attention is a must, regardless of whether you feel fine or not. Injuries might not be immediately apparent and may surface after some time. Moreover, maintaining consistent medical documentation can significantly support your insurance claim or legal action.
Not documenting the scene: Failing to gather evidence at the scene of the accident is another common legal mistake to avoid after a car accident. While the police will gather some information, it’s crucial that you collect your own evidence to support your case.
Posting about the accident on social media: In today’s digital age, the impulse to share our experiences on social media is strong. However, posting details about your accident online can be detrimental. Such posts can be discovered by insurance adjusters or defense lawyers and used to undermine your claim.
Accepting the first settlement offer: Insurers often send a settlement offer to an accident victim early on. While this offer may look like a lot of cash at the time, you can feel confident that your case is worth much more. The insurance adjuster is hoping you will accept this without knowing the value of your claim.
Not notifying your insurance company: No matter how minor an accident, always contact your insurance to give them a courtesy notification. You may have no damage to your vehicle and not plan on filing a claim. However, the other driver may try to file a claim against your policy.
Providing a recorded statement without preparation: Sooner or later, your insurance adjuster will ask you to provide a recorded statement. Most accident victims believe this will make them look more credible to the insurance company or that it’s required. The truth, though, is that it’s much better to decline giving one, or at least wait until you’ve had an opportunity to discuss the matter with your personal injury attorney.
Not reviewing your policy: To know what to expect from your insurance company and to be a knowledgeable advocate for yourself, it’s vital to study your insurance policy. Not knowing what your insurance policy says to do after a car accident will give your insurance company the upper hand during negotiations.
Signing documents without understanding them: The best way to avoid this mistake is to never sign anything from the insurer without having an attorney review it.

FAQs

Should I always call the police after an accident?

Having a police report completed at the scene by an officer will likely bolster your claim. If the police can’t get to the scene or aren’t dispatched, exchange information with the other driver. You can usually file a report yourself at your local police station or department of motor vehicles instead.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

Consider adding uninsured motorist coverage to your auto policy to help minimize your costs if you have an accident with another driver who doesn’t carry auto insurance. In many states, uninsured motorist coverage is required for all drivers.

If you don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you’ll need to rely on other coverage you might have. Collision coverage, for example, may pay for your damaged car. You can use personal injury protection for injuries related to the accident. If you don’t have any of these coverages, you’ll need to pay for repairs, medical bills (unless you have health insurance), and maybe a rental car.

Can I file a claim without a police report?

You can file a car insurance claim without filing a police report. Generally, your insurer just needs some basic information about the accident to open a claim, including any pictures you took of the damage. However, it’s in your best interest to file a report at a local police station as soon as possible to have an official record of the accident.

Will my insurance rates increase after an accident?

If it’s determined that you were at fault for the accident, your rates will likely go up when your policy renews. After an accident that results in a claim, you may see your auto insurance rates go up. This may be a good time to shop around and compare quotes to see if your carrier still offers the most competitive rates for your circumstances. Other carriers will still be able to see your driving history, but they may not weigh at-fault accidents as heavily.

How many repair estimates should I get?

After a car accident, drivers should attempt to get at least three repair estimates. One should come from an auto repair shop with a reputation for quality work. Get at least three written estimates and make sure they include a detailed breakdown of the repairs included, as well as the costs for parts and labor.

Do I need to hire a lawyer after a car accident?

It depends on the complexity of your case. After a car accident, you must show that it wasn’t your fault (or at least that you weren’t primarily at fault) and that you were injured as a result of the collision. Handling a car accident claim on your own can be challenging, especially when dealing with insurance companies that may not have your best interests at heart. An experienced lawyer can handle negotiations with the insurance company, gather the necessary evidence, and help you avoid common pitfalls in the claims process.

Conclusion

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is never easy, but understanding how to navigate the insurance process can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim. From securing the scene and collecting evidence to working with adjusters and avoiding common mistakes, each step helps protect your rights and support your recovery.

Clear documentation is one of the most important tools at your disposal. Make sure to gather relevant information, seek medical attention promptly, keep detailed records, and stay in regular contact with your insurance company.

Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers can be especially costly, but the right coverage can shield you from serious financial loss. Take time to review your current policy and make sure it includes the protection you need.

By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be better prepared to manage the insurance process with confidence and peace of mind.

Contact your insurance provider today to review your coverage and ensure you’re fully protected in the event of an accident.