Auto Accident Checklist

Everything to document at the scene of an auto accident. Designed to be printed and kept in your glovebox, or saved as a PDF to your phone for emergency reference.

Safety first — people before property

If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Move vehicles only if it's safe to do so and no one is seriously hurt. Documentation comes after safety, not before.

This content is educational and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage decisions depend on your specific situation, risk tolerance, and the actual policy contract you’re offered. For a binding recommendation, speak with a licensed insurance agent or, for injury cases, an attorney, or contact your state Department of Insurance.

Immediate safety (first 60 seconds)

  1. 1Move to a safe location if vehicles can be moved and no one is seriously injured
  2. 2Turn on hazard lights
  3. 3Call 911 if there is any injury, fire, fluid leak, or major property damage
  4. 4Stay calm and stay at the scene — leaving the scene of an accident is illegal

Information to exchange with the other driver

  1. 1Other driver's full name and date of birth
  2. 2Other driver's address and phone number
  3. 3Other driver's driver's license number and state
  4. 4Other driver's insurance company name and policy number
  5. 5Other driver's vehicle make, model, year, color, and license plate number
  6. 6Names and contact info for any passengers in the other vehicle
  7. 7Names and contact info for any independent witnesses

Photos to take at the scene

  1. 1Wide-angle photos of the entire accident scene from multiple angles
  2. 2Close-up photos of all damage to your vehicle
  3. 3Close-up photos of all damage to the other vehicle(s)
  4. 4Photos of license plates of all involved vehicles
  5. 5Photos of the other driver's insurance card and driver's license
  6. 6Photos of road conditions, weather, traffic signals, and skid marks
  7. 7Photos of any injuries (yours and visible injuries to others, if appropriate)
  8. 8Photo of the location — street signs, intersection, or mile markers
  9. 9Photos of any debris in the road
  10. 10Photos of the position of vehicles before they are moved (if safe)

Police report info to collect

  1. 1Officer's name and badge number
  2. 2Police report case/incident number
  3. 3Department and how to obtain a copy of the report
  4. 4Whether the officer issued any citations and to whom

Things NOT to do or say

  1. 1Don't admit fault or apologize, even reflexively — fault is determined by insurers and the legal process
  2. 2Don't say 'I'm fine' or 'I'm not hurt' — injuries from accidents often manifest hours or days later
  3. 3Don't speak to the other driver's insurer without first speaking to your own
  4. 4Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer until you've consulted yours
  5. 5Don't sign anything from the other party or their insurer at the scene
  6. 6Don't accept a cash settlement from the other driver instead of going through insurance
  7. 7Don't post about the accident on social media

After the scene — claim steps

  1. 1Notify your own insurance company as soon as practical, regardless of fault
  2. 2Get your claim number and adjuster's direct contact info
  3. 3Document the date, time, and content of every conversation with any insurer (yours or the other driver's)
  4. 4Get medical attention promptly if there's any chance of injury — gaps in treatment hurt later medical-bill claims
  5. 5Keep all receipts: tow, rental car, medical co-pays, lost wage documentation
  6. 6Don't sign any release until you understand it — releases can foreclose later claims if undiscovered injuries surface

Print or save as PDF

Use your browser’s print function (Ctrl/Cmd+P) to print this checklist or save it as a PDF. Consider printing it for your glovebox and saving the PDF to your phone for emergency reference. No file is downloaded from our servers — this is a static page.

Related

Auto insurance claim guide
Full claim workflow after an accident
General claim workflow
10-step universal claim guide
Auto insurance hub
Coverage types and state minimums
All resources
More printable insurance checklists

Important Disclaimer

This site provides general educational information only and is not a substitute for professional insurance advice. All rates, data, and coverage details are estimates and may not reflect your actual premiums. Insurance availability and pricing vary by state, insurer, and individual risk factors. Always consult a licensed insurance professional in your state before making coverage decisions.