Complete Car Accident Checklist for 2025 (All Drivers Need It!)
Our car accident checklist makes dealing with a collision less stressful. The most crucial steps in any auto accident checklist are getting to safety, calling 911, and contacting your insurance. With premiums going up by as much as 50% after an accident, the rest of our checklist can help you save.
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
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UPDATED: Feb 3, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: Feb 3, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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A car accident checklist is an essential tool for all drivers, whether they’re brand new on the road or have been driving for decades. If you are in a car accident, then you can help your auto insurance claim significantly by knowing what to do after a car accident.
Our checklist covers all the basic steps you need to take after a car accident, including making sure everyone involved is safe, calling the police, and contacting your insurance company. It also tells you the best order to complete the steps and exactly what information you should gather so you can resolve your accident in the best way possible.
Explore all the details in our car accident checklist below. If you need help finding affordable car insurance after a collision, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool once you’ve completed our accident checklist.
- The steps to take after an accident depend on what type of insurance you have
- You’ll also need to consider who was at fault – you or the other driver
- Insurance rates can skyrocket after an accident by up to 50% higher
The Ultimate Car Accident Checklist
Getting into an accident is a stressful experience, especially if you’re unsure of what to do. Having a post-auto accident checklist handy is a great way to reduce stress after a collision. No matter what type of accident you’re involved in, following the steps below can help you resolve any situation.
However, what to do after a motor vehicle accident depends on your role in the collision. For example, you do need to file a police report after a car accident where significant damage occurred, but many states don’t require a report for minor accidents. Regardless, there are things you should do after getting into an accident, the most important of which is to make sure you and everyone involved are safe.
Brandon Frady Licensed Insurance Agent
After you and your passengers are safe, your next step is to call 911. Once these two steps are completed, what you do next depends on the accident and what type of insurance you have.
Aside from keeping yourself safe, following the steps below is crucial in keeping your car insurance affordable. You’ll see what an at-fault accident does to your rates later, but you can get an idea of the average cost of insurance below.
Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level, Age, & Gender| Age & Gender | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Year-Old Female | $300 | $400 |
| 16-Year-Old Male | $350 | $450 |
| 18-Year-Old Female | $250 | $350 |
| 18-Year-Old Male | $300 | $400 |
| 25-Year-Old Female | $150 | $250 |
| 25-Year-Old Male | $170 | $270 |
| 30-Year-Old Female | $120 | $200 |
| 30-Year-Old Male | $130 | $210 |
| 45-Year-Old Female | $100 | $180 |
| 45-Year-Old Male | $110 | $190 |
| 60-Year-Old Female | $90 | $170 |
| 60-Year-Old Male | $100 | $180 |
| 65-Year-Old Female | $95 | $175 |
| 65-Year-Old Male | $105 | $185 |
An at-fault can increase your rates by over 50%, especially if you don’t take the time to document everything. Whether you need an accident checklist for new drivers or road veterans, following these simple steps can save you thousands.
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Steps to Take in a Basic Car Crash Checklist
Whenever you get free accident advice, one of the first things anyone mentions is not to admit guilt, even if you think you are at fault. Determining who was at fault in an accident can be difficult, and it’s best to get help before you offer anything.
Whether you need to know what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault or one that’s definitely your fault, the steps are the same. The first part of the auto accident checklist to complete is to gather information. This includes the following:
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers, passengers, and other witnesses involved
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Road and weather conditions
- The name and badge number of any responding officers
Once you have this basic information, car accident lawyers suggest drawing a diagram of the accident. Include where on the street the collision happened, anything you may have hit, and anything else relevant to your accident.
Kristen Gryglik Licensed Insurance Agent
Finally, get as much information about the damage done as possible, including the make and model of all cars involved and any immediate injuries. You should also take as many photos as you can.
Passengers involved in collisions often don’t know what to do after a car accident. However, there’s an easy checklist for passengers to follow, too. If you’re a passenger in a car accident, record the following information:
- The names of the driver and other passengers
- The nature of your trip
- Any complaints voiced about the driver by you or any other passengers
- If the driver had been drinking
- If anyone was hurt
You may think you don’t need to record anything as a passenger, but keeping the information’s always a good idea. Most free car accident legal information suggests keeping this information in case you’re injured and want to file a personal injury claim after a car accident.
Personal Injury After a Car Accident Checklist
If you suffer an injury in a car accident, you’ll need to document what happened to make sure you’re covered. Use this free car accident injury advice to ensure you record all the information you’ll need to be covered:
- Health Care Costs: Keep copies of all documents related to your medical treatment, including hospital bills, prescription costs, and therapy invoices. Getting health insurance reimbursement after a car accident injury settlement is much easier with documentation.
- Living Costs: Any out-of-pocket costs you incur due to being injured should be recorded, including expenses for childcare, household assistance, and travel.
- Wage Losses: Keep track of any wages you miss out on while dealing with your injury, including interviews, bonuses, and work trips.
To make a claim for lost wages, you’ll need an income verification from your employer. This letter should be on company letterhead and include your personal information, your salary, when you started working, and any extra income opportunities you missed.
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to sign an Affidavit of Self-Employment. This affidavit is a legal document where you declare your missed income and should work for insurance purposes.
How a Car Accident Affects Car Insurance Rates
Whether a car accident will raise your rates depends on whether you are at fault or not. While your rates may increase a small amount if you were not at fault, you’ll see a significant increase if you caused a collision.
So, how much will your insurance rates go up after an accident? There are many ways insurance companies calculate your car insurance rates, but your driving record is one of the most important. Take a look below to see how your insurance rates might be affected.
Car Insurance Monthly Rate Increases After an Accident by Age & Gender| Age & Gender | Rates Before Accident | Rates After Accident | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Year-Old Female | $300 | $450 | 50% |
| 16-Year-Old Male | $350 | $525 | 50% |
| 18-Year-Old Female | $250 | $400 | 60% |
| 18-Year-Old Male | $300 | $480 | 60% |
| 25-Year-Old Female | $150 | $225 | 50% |
| 25-Year-Old Male | $170 | $255 | 50% |
| 30-Year-Old Female | $120 | $180 | 50% |
| 30-Year-Old Male | $130 | $195 | 50% |
| 45-Year-Old Female | $100 | $140 | 40% |
| 45-Year-Old Male | $110 | $154 | 40% |
| 60-Year-Old Female | $90 | $126 | 40% |
| 60-Year-Old Male | $100 | $140 | 40% |
| 65-Year-Old Female | $95 | $133 | 40% |
| 65-Year-Old Male | $105 | $147 | 40% |
As you can see, avoiding accidents is in your best interest. While it depends on what state you live in, at-fault accidents usually affect your insurance rates for several years. You can avoid raising your rates by being as safe a driver as you can.
If your insurance rates increase after an accident, you should compare rates with new companies to make sure you’re not overpaying. Getting personalized quotes is easy — simply fill out the request form on any provider’s website.
Once you have quotes from several companies, you’ll have a better idea if you should keep your current coverage. Alternatively, you can use a free comparison tool to look at multiple companies at once by entering your ZIP code.
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Find Affordable Car Insurance Before or After an Accident
Being in a car accident is no fun, but knowing what to do immediately after a car wreck can make it a little less traumatic. In the heat of the moment, it may be easy to forget what information is important to gather. If you use our checklists above, though, both immediately after the accident and in the days and weeks after, you’ll be in a great position to recover fully from your car accident damages and personal injuries.
If you have any questions about what to do after a car accident, you can consult with a car accident attorney for advice and assistance. To begin your search for a car accident lawyer near you, enter your ZIP code into our search tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six things you must do if you get involved in an accident?
When you’re in an accident, the six most important things to do are immediately make sure everyone involved is safe, call the police, exchange information with other drivers involved, take pictures of any damage caused to vehicles or property, get contact information from any witnesses, and contact your insurance company. Once you’ve completed these steps, follow-up tasks after a car accident include keeping in touch with your insurance company and keeping records of your related medical expenses.
What info do you need in a car accident?
Getting the best car accident settlement requires that you gather the other driver’s name, contact info, insurance details (policy number and company), license plate, and vehicle details. Take photos of the scene, damages, and injuries, and collect witness statements if possible.
Should I file an insurance claim if I am not at fault?
Yes, you should file a claim with your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurer to cover damages or injuries, even if you’re not at fault. Not filing could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses. Learning how to report your car accident to your insurance company is crucial to keeping your vehicle protected.
What do you do after a minor accident?
Knowing what to do after a minor car accident can keep you safe and prevent it from becoming more serious. Move to a safe location, exchange information with the other driver, document the scene, and report the accident to your insurance company.
What happens if you get into a car accident without insurance?
Knowing what to do after a car accident without insurance is a little different than if you had coverage. You may face legal and financial consequences. You could be held personally responsible for damages and injuries, face fines or penalties for driving uninsured, and potentially have your license or vehicle registration suspended, depending on your state laws.
What happens if the at-fault driver doesn’t have car insurance?
Getting into a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver means it’ll be trickier to get your damages and injuries covered. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help cover your damages. Otherwise, you might have to pursue legal action to recover costs.
Do car insurance rates increase after an at-fault accident?
Yes, your rates often increase after an at-fault accident, as insurers see you as a higher risk. The increase depends on your insurer, state, and driving history.
How long does it take police to investigate a car accident?
The length of time police take to investigate an accident depends on the severity of the collision. A minor accident with no injuries could be investigated in a few days, while major accidents can take weeks or even months.
How much does insurance cost after an at-fault accident?
Costs can rise significantly, often by 20-50% or more, depending on the severity of the accident and your prior record. The specific increase varies by insurer and location.
Which insurance company has the best car insurance for drivers with at-fault accidents?
Companies like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive are known for offering competitive rates for high-risk drivers. Check for accident forgiveness programs to help mitigate premium increases. To find the best rates for you, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool today.
How much are most car accident settlements?
The actual amount you get after a car accident depends on the type of insurance involved. For example, a liabilty car insurance claim typically pays out between $10,000 and $15,000. However, with car prices rising, the average full coverage settlement averages around $30,000.
Should I fill out a financial affidavit for a car accident?
Yes, if requested, as it provides details about your financial situation for settlement or legal purposes. Consult an attorney before completing it to ensure accuracy and protect your interests.
Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Insurance Lawyer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.