Car Crash Checklist: All Drivers Should Keep This List Handy

Your adrenaline kicking in may cause you to forget what to do after a car crash. That's why it's critical to have a checklist on your phone or in your glove box to remember what steps to take.

Our checklist will feature the items you need to cover to smoothly and efficiently file a claim with your insurance company. And we’ll also help you understand what kind of car insurance you need if you want your insurance company to cover your damages following an at-fault crash.

Car Crash Checklist

While it’s a challenge to remember what to do following a crash, with preparation, you’ll have an easier time focusing on what needs to be done instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Evaluate Your Immediate Safety

Evaluate yourself first. Check for bleeding and potentially broken bones. Then, check your passengers. When you call law enforcement, the dispatcher will need to know if there are injuries so they can send medical help if necessary.

You’ll also need to assess the safety of your position. If you’re in a dangerous place and can safely move, you should. For example, if you end up in the oncoming highway lanes, you’ll need to try to drive your vehicle off the road. If that's not possible, you’ll need to get out of the car and move yourself to a safer spot.

Call Law Enforcement

Not every crash will necessitate a law enforcement response, but you should call every time. Some wrecks require a law enforcement report. Each state has a different minimum damage requirement for when a report is needed. In most states, that limit is low enough that even a minor fender bender requires a state report.

If it’s hard to understand what a report is or when it’s needed, don’t worry. Many people are confused about reports and who needs them.

You can err on the side of calling law enforcement. Law enforcement crash investigators can decide if a report is necessary, and if they file one, you can turn that in to your insurance company. Insurance companies will use that report to help them make their settlement decisions.

Even when you and the other party agree about the circumstances leading to the crash, you should still get a police report if possible because people sometimes change their story. Having something in writing from law enforcement can help keep the story straight.

Exchange Information With the Other Party

You’ll need to ensure you exchange all the following information:

Driver’s license numbers
Insurance company names
Insurance policy numbers
License plate numbers
Names, phone numbers, and addresses of involved parties
Vehicle make and model

One easy way to collect some of this information is to take a picture of their insurance card. That way, you know you get the correct information and don’t write anything down wrong.

Collect Witness Information

In addition to a police report, witnesses can help keep stories straight. You’ll need to get their name, address, and phone number. If a police report is filed, you’ll want to make sure law enforcement has witness information. Additionally, your insurer will also request witness contact information when you file a claim.

Take Pictures of the Scene

When you take pictures of the damage, don’t forget to take close-up photos and pictures that include context. For example, you can zoom in on a crack in the bumper but then take a picture from farther away so that it’s obvious the damage is on the bumper and not another part of the car.

You should also take pictures of the entire scene. For example, if it’s at an intersection, make sure the image shows where the cars are positioned in the junction and take pictures of skid marks and fluid spills.

Contact Your Insurance Company

The easiest way to file a claim is to call your insurance provider and tell them you’ve been in a crash. They can help you understand what steps you’ll need to take next. Alternatively, some insurance providers let you file a claim online.

You can expect your insurance provider to request pictures from the scene and follow-up pictures. They may send an adjuster to evaluate the damage within the next few days.

To summarize, this is the following is a summary of what you need to do after a crash:

Evaluate the safety of the scene.
Call law enforcement.
Exchange information with involved parties.
Collect witness contact information.
Take pictures of the scene and damage.
Call your insurance provider.

While it’s better to travel safely and avoid crashes altogether, sometimes they happen. You should be prepared for that possibility.

Insurance for Crash Coverage

If you’re driving legally, you have liability insurance, at least. But liability insurance only covers the damage you do to another party. It doesn’t provide any coverage for your own vehicle. If you want coverage for your own losses, you’ll need more coverage than just liability.

Collision Coverage

As its name suggests, this type of coverage is what you need for your insurance company to cover your losses if you cause a crash. Your coverage will include a deductible, and you’ll be responsible for paying that. If your deductible is higher, your premiums will be cheaper, but a crash will cost you more out of pocket.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage protects you from financial loss if your car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by a weather event or natural disaster. But, it’s also the kind of coverage you need if you hit a deer or another wild animal. Even if you don’t live in a roadkill hotspot, there’s a chance you could hit a deer wherever you are, especially in the evening and at night.

Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage requires a deductible. Typically consumers combine collision and comprehensive coverage and call it full coverage.

Rental Car Provision

If you don’t have another option to get around if your car is out of commission, you should consider purchasing rental coverage, which will pay for your rental while your vehicle is being repaired.

Personal Injury Protection

Some states require personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. But even if your state doesn’t require it, you might consider this type of coverage that will pay for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages following an accident.

GAP Coverage

Guaranteed asset protection, usually referred to as GAP, can be an excellent companion policy for full coverage if you have a new or almost new vehicle and a loan. It will make up the difference between what you still owe on your car and what the insurance company deems to be its cash value if your vehicle is totaled.

If you’re upside down on your car loan, GAP insurance can help you avoid remaining in debt for your car following a crash resulting in a total loss.

A crash and the aftermath aren’t fun to deal with, but if you take the appropriate immediate steps, you can help ensure the process will go as smoothly as possible. Keep a vehicle checklist handy, so you don’t forget something important.

Melanie Musson writes and researches for the legal and insurance advice site, FreeAdvice.com. She’s passionate about helping people understand their insurance needs and how the right policy can protect their financial future.