💡 How-To
What to Do After a Minor Car Accident
A minor car accident is stressful " — but knowing exactly what to do protects you from insurance headaches and legal trouble. Here's the step-by-step checklist.
Immediate Steps (First 10 Minutes)
- Stay calm and check for injuries " — your health comes first
- Move to safety " — pull over to the shoulder or nearest safe spot
- Turn on hazard lights " — warn other drivers
- Call 911 if there are injuries " — even minor ones should be checked
- Call police " — even for minor accidents, a police report helps with insurance
Document Everything
- Take photos: All vehicles (damage, license plates, position), road conditions, traffic signs, surroundings
- Exchange information: Name, phone, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, license plate
- Get witness info: Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident
- Note details: Time, date, location, weather, speed, what happened
- Don't admit fault " — even if it seems obvious. Let insurance determine fault
Insurance Steps
- Call your insurance company within 24 hours " — even if the other driver was at fault
- File a claim " — provide photos, police report, and other driver's information
- Get a repair estimate " — most insurers have preferred shops
- Don't accept the first offer " — get your own estimate if the settlement seems low
When to Call Police vs. Not
| Situation | Call Police? |
|---|---|
| Injuries (any) | Yes " — always |
| Damage over $2,500 | Yes " — required in most states |
| Other driver has no insurance | Yes |
| Other driver is aggressive | Yes |
| Very minor (bumper scratch, both agree) | Optional " — but still recommended |
The dashcam tip: A $50 dashcam provides irrefutable evidence of what happened. If you don't have one, start recording video on your phone immediately after the accident " — capture the scene, damage, and other driver's information before anything changes.
⚠️ What NOT to do:
- Don't leave the scene " — that's a hit-and-run (criminal offense)
- Don't admit fault " — even saying "I'm sorry" can be used against you
- Don't accept cash offers at the scene " — you don't know the full damage yet
- Don't sign anything from the other driver's insurance without reading it
- Don't post about the accident on social media
The bottom line: Stay calm, check for injuries, move to safety, call 911/police. Exchange insurance info, take photos of everything, don't admit fault. Call your insurance within 24 hours. Document everything " — it protects you in disputes. Even for minor fender-benders, a police report helps with insurance claims.