Car Accident Checklist: 10 Steps to Protect Your Insurance Claim

Save this page to your phone now. When a crash happens you won't have time to read a long guide — you'll want a fast, do-this-now list. These are the 10 steps that protect your insurance claim from the first minute. Work down them in order.

This is the quick version. For in-the-moment detail at the scene, see what to do immediately after a crash; for the full first 72 hours timeline; and for filing the claim afterward, how to file a car insurance claim.

The 10-step car accident checklist

1. Stop and check for injuries. Never leave the scene. Check yourself, your passengers, then the other driver — and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
2. Move to safety. If the car is drivable and the crash is minor, pull to the shoulder and turn on your hazards. Otherwise leave it where it is and get clear of traffic.
3. Call the police — every time. A neutral, time-stamped report is the single most useful document in any claim. If officers won't come, file a report at the station the same day.
4. Photograph everything. Wide shots, all four sides of both cars, plates, close-up damage, skid marks, signals, and weather — plus the other driver's license and insurance card. Add a 30-second video.
5. Exchange only the basics. Name, phone, license, plate, insurer, and policy number. Do not apologize, admit fault, or say "I'm fine."
6. Get witness names and numbers before anyone leaves the scene.
7. Notify your own insurer the same day. "Prompt notice" is a policy requirement. Stick to the facts and don't speculate about fault.
8. See a doctor within 72 hours, even if you feel fine — adrenaline hides whiplash and concussions. Tell intake it was a motor vehicle accident.
9. Keep a dated claim journal — log every call, bill, missed work hour, and out-of-pocket cost.
10. Don't accept the first offer. It is almost always the lowest one you'll see.

Want the reasoning behind each step? Steps 1–6 (the scene itself) are covered in depth in what to do immediately after a car accident; steps 7–10 (the claim) are covered in how to file a car insurance claim and how the claim process works.

What never to do

• Don't admit fault or apologize at the scene.
• Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
• Don't sign or cash anything that releases your claim before your treatment is complete.
• Don't post about the crash on social media.

For the full list of costly errors and what to do instead, see common car insurance claim mistakes.

Quick pointers for special situations

• Hit-and-run or an uninsured driver — your own uninsured motorist coverage usually applies; file a police report fast.
• You were partly at fault — you can often still recover; see how comparative fault works.
• Wondering what your claim is worth — see how much a car accident settlement is worth.