Right after the crash

I just had a crash — what do I do and document right now?

In order

1. Safety first. Move to a safe spot if the car is drivable and it's safe to do so. Turn on hazards.
2. Call emergency services. Call 911 if anyone may be hurt. Even for minor crashes, a police report creates an official record.
3. Exchange information. Names, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, license plates, insurance company and policy numbers — for every driver involved.
4. Photograph the scene. All vehicles from multiple angles, close-ups of damage, plates, the road, traffic signals, skid marks, weather and lighting conditions.
5. Get witnesses. Names and phone numbers. Witnesses leave; get them now.
6. Write down what happened while it's fresh — your own timeline in your own words, with the date, time, and location.

The documentation checklist

The scene steps above, gathered into one list you can lift and work through. What you capture in the first hour is usually the best evidence your claim will ever have:

• Photos of all vehicles — from multiple angles, with close-ups of the damage to each one.
• The other car's plate and damage — photographed, not just written down.
• Photos of the other driver's license and insurance card — clearer and harder to dispute than handwritten notes.
• Dashcam files, preserved before they overwrite — copy them off the card or the app the same day.
• The police report number — and how to get a copy of the report once it is ready.
• Witness names and contact details — with a line each on what they saw.
• Photos of any injuries — taken promptly, and updated as they develop.
• The scene itself — road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, weather, and light.

Do you need the police before you can file?

No. A police report is valuable evidence, but it is not a prerequisite to opening a claim — you can notify your own insurer, or open a claim against the other driver's insurer, without one.

Call 911 from the scene when anyone may be hurt, when the road is blocked, or when the crash is a hit-and-run. Those are the situations where officers need to attend, and where the report carries the most weight.

Separately, many states require a crash report to be filed when damage or injuries reach certain thresholds — and those thresholds vary by state, so check your own state's rule rather than assuming. If officers do not attend a minor crash, many departments let you file a report afterwards at the station or online. Do it promptly, while the details are fresh, and put the report number in your claim file.

How soon should you file?

Notify your own insurer within days, not weeks. Your policy carries a prompt-notice duty — telling your insurer about the crash is something the policy expects you to do promptly, and waiting can complicate the claim.

Open the claim before you know the full damage picture. A claim can be supplemented later as estimates, records, and bills come in; an unopened claim helps no one. A claim against the other driver's insurer can be opened as soon as you have their insurance details.

Do not measure your timing by the legal deadline. The statute of limitations — the time limit for filing a car accident claim — is a backstop that ends your rights if you pass it, not a target to aim for. Filing early is what keeps every option open.

What NOT to do at the scene

• Don't admit fault or apologize for the crash. Exchange facts, not conclusions — fault is determined later, and offhand comments can be used against you.
• Don't skip the report to "keep it simple." The other driver may remember the crash differently later. The report is your anchor.
• Don't give a recorded statement to the other insurer until you've thought it through. Their questions serve their file, not yours.

Frequently asked questions

How do I document a car accident for insurance?

Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, with close-ups of the damage, the other car's plate, and the other driver's license and insurance card. Preserve dashcam files before they overwrite. Note the police report number and how to get a copy, get witness names, contact details, and what each one saw, and photograph any injuries and the scene itself — road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, weather, and light. Put everything in your claim file from day one.

Should I call the police before filing a car accident claim?

No — a police report is not a prerequisite to opening a claim. Call 911 when anyone may be hurt, the road is blocked, or the crash is a hit-and-run. Many states require a crash report when damage or injuries reach thresholds that vary by state, so check your state's rule. If officers do not attend a minor crash, many departments let you file a report at the station or online — do it promptly and put the number in your claim file.

How soon after an accident should I file a car insurance claim?

Notify your own insurer within days, not weeks — your policy carries a duty to give prompt notice. Open the claim before you know the full damage picture; you can supplement it later as more information comes in. A claim against the other driver's insurer can be opened as soon as you have their insurance details. Your state's filing deadline (the statute of limitations) is a backstop, not a target — do not wait for it.