What should I do first after a car accident?

Stop, check whether anyone is hurt and call 911 if they are. If the cars are blocking traffic and can be moved, get them out of the way. Then exchange information and document the scene.

Do I have to call the police after a minor accident?

It depends on the damage and the state. Florida requires a report to police for any injury or death, or apparent damage of $2,000 or more. Illinois requires it for any injury or damage over $1,500, or $500 if a vehicle involved is uninsured.

How soon do I need to see a doctor after a crash in Florida?

To use your PIP medical benefits, you need initial care within 14 days of the crash. Don't wait if you're hurt.

Should I admit fault at the scene?

Stick to facts. Exchange information, describe what happened to the police, and let the insurers work out fault.

What to do right after a car accident — From Elona’s desk

Right after a car accident: make sure everyone is safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, exchange information, call the police when the law requires it, take photos, and tell your insurer. In Florida, get any medical care within 14 days so your PIP can pay.

No one thinks clearly after a crash. Your hands are shaking, someone’s honking, and your phone is somewhere under the seat. So here’s a checklist you can read now, while things are calm.

In the first few minutes

Stop. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in both states.
Check on everyone. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first. Help the injured as far as you safely can.
Get out of traffic if you can. If your car is blocking the road and it can be moved, move it to a safe spot nearby. Turn on your hazard lights.
Stay calm with the other driver. Be polite, stick to the facts, and don’t argue about whose fault it was.

Information to collect

Get the same details from every driver involved:

Name, address and phone number
Insurance company and policy number
License plate and vehicle registration
Driver’s license number
Make, model and color of each car

Also write down names and phone numbers of any witnesses, and the name and badge number of the police officer, plus the report number if there is one.

Photos to take

Take more than you think you need: all the cars from every side, close-ups of damage, license plates, the road, traffic signs and signals, skid marks, weather and lighting. Photos taken in the moment are hard to argue with later.

The rules where you live

Florida

In Florida

Give your information. You must give your name, address and the registration number of the car you’re driving, and show your license if asked (Fla. Stat. 316.062).
Call the police right away if anyone is hurt or killed, or if the damage looks like $2,000 or more (Fla. Stat. 316.065).
If police aren’t required to report it, and the crash damaged a vehicle or other property, you must send your own written report to the state within 10 days (Fla. Stat. 316.066).
See a doctor within 14 days. Your PIP medical benefits only apply if you get initial care within 14 days of the crash (Fla. Stat. 627.736). Even if you feel fine, get checked. (More on PIP.)

Illinois

In Illinois

Give your information. You must give your name, address, the vehicle’s registration number and its owner, and show your license if asked (625 ILCS 5/11-403).
Move off the road if you can. You’re allowed to move your car to the nearest safe spot off the highway, like a shoulder or a side street, and finish exchanging information there (625 ILCS 5/11-402).
Call the police if no officer is there and anyone is hurt or killed, or the damage is over $1,500, or over $500 if any car involved is uninsured (625 ILCS 5/11-407).
Have your insurance card ready. If you can’t show proof of insurance when an officer asks, Illinois law treats you as driving uninsured until you prove otherwise (625 ILCS 5/3-707).

In the days after

Tell your insurer promptly, even if you don’t plan to file a claim. Most policies require prompt notice, and a late report can complicate things.
Keep everything in one place: photos, the police report number, medical records, repair estimates, rental receipts, and notes from every phone call with names and dates.
Be careful what you sign. Read anything from the other driver’s insurer before you agree to it.
If you’re seriously hurt, or fault is disputed, it’s worth speaking with an attorney. There are legal deadlines for injury claims.

Good to know

Keep a crash kit. Your insurance card, a pen and paper, and the number for your agent, in the glove box.
Your declarations page tells you what applies. Rental reimbursement, roadside help, your deductibles: they’re all on it.
Never stay in a dangerous spot to take photos. Safety comes before paperwork.
Use the official channel. Insurers and police will give you a report or claim number. Write it down.

In an accident right now?

Take a breath. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then call me and I’ll help you figure out the next step and get your claim started. If you’d like me to review your coverage before anything happens, upload your declarations page at /quote/.

Talk to Elona