The short answer
- Stop and switch on your hazards. Never leave the scene of an accident. Put your hazard lights on so others can see you.
- Check everyone for injuries — call 911 if anyone's hurt. People before property, always. If in any doubt, call.
- Get to a safe spot. Move vehicles out of live traffic if it's safe to; if not, get yourself clear of the road.
- Call the police and get the report number. For anything beyond a tiny bump, an official report is worth having.
- Photograph everything before it moves. Damage, plates, the wider scene, road signs, and any injuries.
- Exchange details — not opinions on fault. Names, numbers, insurance, vehicles. Stick to facts.
In this guide
If you’ve landed here in the middle of it, start with the list above — that’s the priority order. The rest of this page is the slightly fuller version: exactly what to capture, what to swap with the other driver, and the few things that are better left unsaid. It pairs with our main guide on what to do after a car accident.
A checklist isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about not forgetting the few things that are hard to get back once you've driven away.
What to photograph
Photos are the easiest evidence to gather and the easiest to lose. Take more than you think you need — you can always delete them later.
- Wide shots showing both vehicles and their positions on the road
- Close-ups of all damage, to every vehicle involved
- License plates, and the other driver's insurance card and license
- Road layout, lane markings, traffic signals and signs
- Skid marks, debris, and the weather and light conditions
- Any visible injuries
What to exchange
You and the other driver need to swap a specific, limited set of details — and nothing more.
- Full names and phone numbers
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, color and license plate
- Driver's license details
- Names and numbers of any witnesses
You don’t need to share anything beyond that, and you don’t have to discuss whose fault it was. If the police attend, ask how to obtain a copy of the report.
What not to do or say
A few habits, completely natural in the moment, can make things harder later:
Don't say "sorry"
A reflex apology can be read as admitting fault. Stay polite, but factual.
Don't skip the doctor
Even if you feel fine, some injuries surface later. Get checked.
Don't drive off
Leaving the scene — even a minor one — can carry serious consequences.
Don't post about it
Social media updates can be taken out of context. Keep it offline.
Once you've left the scene
Report the accident to your own insurer promptly — most policies require it, and reporting isn’t the same as making a claim. Then keep everything together: your photos, the police report number, the other driver’s details, and a note of how you’re feeling over the next few days. If symptoms appear later, see a doctor and add those notes to the file.
The checklist gets you through the scene. If there's an injury or the accident wasn't your fault, it's worth reading what to do when it wasn't your fault and, if you're unsure, whether you need a lawyer.
- Work the list in order: safety, police, photos, details.
- Photograph more than you think you need, before anything moves.
- Exchange a limited set of details — never opinions on fault.
- Report to your insurer, and see a doctor if anything surfaces later.
Common questions
What's the single most important thing to do at the scene?
Check everyone for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Everything else — photos, details, reports — matters, but people come first.
Do I need a police report for a small accident?
For anything beyond a trivial bump, it's worth having. If officers don't attend, ask how to file a report at the station or online, and note the details yourself.
How many photos should I take?
More than you think you need. Wide shots, close-ups, plates, signs, road conditions and any injuries — you can always delete extras, but you can't recreate the scene later.
What if the other driver won't share their details?
Stay calm, photograph their vehicle and plate, and wait for the police if you've called them. Note anything you can about the vehicle and driver while it's fresh.
Sources
Written by The Accident Advisory editorial team from the sources below. Every change is logged in the editorial changelog.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — guidance on what to do after a crash. nhtsa.gov. Accessed
- Insurance Information Institute (III) — steps to take after a car accident and documenting a claim. iii.org. Accessed
- USA.gov — reporting a car accident and state DMV requirements. usa.gov. Accessed
The Accident Advisory provides free, general information and is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney about your specific situation. Laws differ by state and change over time.