The moment the crunch of metal fades, your mind races louder than the traffic around you. Shock, worry about injuries, and fear of steep repair bills all collide at once. If that’s the scene you’ve just stepped out of, pause, breathe, and read on.
Acting methodically in the first few minutes and hours doesn’t just calm nerves—it can save lives, keep you on the right side of every state’s road rules, and protect your insurance rights. The ten practical steps that follow walk you through stopping safely, calling help, gathering evidence, talking to police and insurers, and looking after your health, whether the crash is a minor nose-to-tail or a multi-car pile-up. They apply across Australia, fault or no-fault, so you can concentrate on recovery instead of red tape.
Keep this guide open on your phone and tick off each step as you move from roadside to repair shop.
Step 1: Stop Immediately and Assess the Danger
Seconds after impact, plant your foot on the brake, engage the handbrake and flick on the hazards. Staying put is not a choice—it’s your first legal and safety obligation.
Your legal duty to stop in Australia
Road Rules 2009 reg 287 makes it compulsory to stop after any crash causing injury, death or property damage. Fail to do so and you could face fines of up to $11 000, 10 demerit points and even 18 months behind bars in NSW, with similar penalties elsewhere. Licence cancellation and skyrocketing insurance premiums often follow, so always remain at the scene.
Checking for ongoing hazards before exiting the vehicle
Scan mirrors for on-coming traffic, leaking fuel, smoke, downed power lines or an unstable load. If it’s clear, step out on the kerb side; otherwise keep belts fastened until the road is safe. Ask passengers to stay seated and switch off the engine to reduce fire risk.
Keep everyone calm and communicate clearly
Use simple, steady language—“Stay seated; are you hurt?”—and breathe slowly. A cool head prevents secondary accidents, avoids blame-laden outbursts and helps you remember every later step of what to do after a car accident.
Step 2: Check for Injuries and Call 000
Once the vehicles are stable, shift your focus to people. A quick scan for injuries—minor or major—dictates everything that follows. Calling 000 early gets professional help en-route while you continue first aid and keeps you compliant with compulsory-reporting rules in every state.
A quick safety-triage using DRSABCD
- Danger – confirm the scene is still safe.
- Response – ask, “Can you hear me?” and gently tap a shoulder.
- Send for help – dial 000 if anyone is hurt or unresponsive.
- Airway & Breathing – open the airway, look, listen, feel for breath.
- CPR/Defibrillator – begin 30 compressions : 2 breaths and use an AED if available.
Only move a casualty if fire, water or traffic threatens their life.
When to request ambulance, police or fire services
Call 000 for any injury, suspected concussion, trapped occupant, fuel spill, or blocked lane. Even a “bingle” without injury can require police attendance if towing is needed or drivers won’t exchange details.
Information to give the 000 operator
State the exact location (street, nearest cross-street or kilometre marker), number of vehicles, people involved, visible hazards and the condition of each casualty. Stay on the line until the operator says it’s safe to hang up.
Step 3: Make the Scene Safe and Prevent Further Collisions
With injuries checked, stop the crash from turning into a chain reaction. Creating a clear, visible scene gives approaching drivers time to slow and keeps everyone—injured or not—out of further danger.
Activate hazard lights, triangles and hi-vis gear
Keep hazards flashing, then don a hi-vis vest if one’s in the boot. Set a warning triangle roughly 50 m behind the vehicles in town, 100 m on high-speed rural roads. At night, aim a torch or phone light at the triangle to improve visibility.
Moving vehicles off the roadway—what the law allows
When no one is seriously hurt and cars still move, most states encourage shifting them onto the shoulder or a side street. Snap quick photos of final positions first. Leave vehicles where they are if someone is trapped or police say otherwise.
Warning other road users
If you must direct traffic, stand behind a guard rail and make slow, steady arm signals. Ask an uninjured passenger or bystander to alert drivers around bends while you stay clear of live lanes.
Step 4: Exchange Details with Other Parties
Once everyone is safe and the traffic is under control, it’s time to swap the facts. Australian road rules require drivers involved in a collision—no matter who’s at fault—to share specific particulars on the spot. Doing it methodically now prevents claim headaches later and shows insurers you’ve fulfilled your duty.
Mandatory information to provide and request
- Full name and residential address
- Contact phone number and email
- Driver’s licence number and issuing state
- Vehicle registration, make, model and colour
- Insurer name and (if handy) policy number
For company cars, jot down the business name and ABN as well.
How to handle un-co-operative or uninsured drivers
Stay polite, avoid arguing about fault and note their rego immediately. If they refuse details, discreetly photograph the vehicle, occupants and any distinguishing signage, then call police on 131 444 (non-emergency). Never admit liability at the scene.
What to do if you hit parked or unattended property
Leave a note under the wiper with your contact and rego, time of accident, and a brief apology. If the owner can’t be located or damage is significant, report the incident to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
Step 5: Gather Evidence at the Scene
Even a crystal-clear memory fogs once adrenaline fades. Knowing what to do after a car accident means grabbing proof before the tow truck arrives. Lock facts in while they’re fresh; evidence backs you with insurers, police and—worst case—courtrooms.
Photos, videos and sketches that matter
- Take wide shots of the scene, then close-ups of damage.
- Include skid marks, signs, lights, weather.
- Circle each vehicle, snapping from four compass points.
- Draw a quick diagram of lanes and impact.
Writing comprehensive accident notes
Record:
- time, date and exact location
- direction of travel and estimated speed
- traffic density, road surface and weather
- statements made by other drivers or witnesses.
Jot observations in plain language; you’re building a timeline, not a novel.
Using smartphone tools efficiently
Open the voice-memo app and describe what happened before you forget. Turn on geotagging so photos carry GPS coordinates. Many insurers offer free crash apps that bundle checklists, camera and easy claim lodgement.
Step 6: Collect Witness and Third-Party Information
Eyewitness accounts can settle the “your word against mine” stoush that stalls many claims. As soon as everyone is safe and phones are out for photos, scan for bystanders willing to speak. Capture their details before traffic clears and memories fade; once they leave, valuable evidence goes with them.
Who counts as a witness
Anyone who saw or heard the impact but wasn’t driving your car:
- Motorists pulled over behind the crash
- Pedestrians or cyclists nearby
- Shopkeepers, servo attendants, delivery drivers
- CCTV operators who can supply footage later
Best questions to ask and details to record
- Full name and best contact number
- Email or street address
- Short statement of what they observed (record a 30-second voice memo if they agree)
- Where they were standing or travelling at the moment of impact
What if police take witness statements first
Note the officer’s name, badge number, station and incident reference. Politely ask if you may obtain the witnesses’ contact details once formal questioning ends.
Step 7: Notify Police and File an Official Report
Even when everyone walks away unhurt, Australian road rules still expect you to tell the police about certain crashes. The thresholds vary by state, but the clock usually starts the moment the bump occurs—miss the deadline and you risk fines or a stalled insurance claim. Logging the event also creates an official record your insurer can rely on instead of competing driver stories.
When you must report a crash—state-by-state summary
| State / Territory | Must report if… | Report method | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Injury, towing needed, driver fails to stop, suspected drink/drug use | CrashLink online, local station, or 131 444 | 24 h |
| VIC | Injury/fatality or damage > $3 000 | Police attendance or counter report | ASAP (within 24 h) |
| QLD | Injury, damage > $2 500, hazards, unlicensed driver | Policelink online or 131 444 | 24 h |
| SA | Injury or any vehicle towed | Online portal or station | 24 h |
| WA | Injury, towing, or damage > $3 000 | Online crash report | 24 h |
| TAS, NT, ACT | Injury, dangerous goods, blocked road | Local station or online form | 24 h |
How and where to lodge the report
Most states now accept online forms—search “report a crash” plus your state—or call the non-emergency line. Rural drivers can still file in person at the nearest police station. Keep the incident or reference number; your insurer will ask for it.
Consequences of failing to report
Penalties range from on-the-spot fines and demerit points to prosecution for leaving the scene. Worse, insurers may reject or delay your claim if there’s no police record—so tick this step off quickly.
Step 8: Contact Your Insurer and Lodge a Claim Promptly
Call your insurer as soon as everyone is safe. Policies state you must notify them “as soon as practicable”; doing so unlocks towing, hire-car and repair approvals without delay.
Why timing matters for successful claims
Late notice can be considered prejudicial, giving the company grounds to reduce or deny the payout. Early contact lets them dispatch an assessor and begin talking recovery with other insurers.
Information to gather before calling
Have these details handy when you ring:
- Names, licence numbers, regos
- Police report or incident number
- Photos and video clips
- Witness names and phones
- Insurer and policy of other driver
Not-at-fault scenarios, excesses and recoveries
Not at fault? Ask about excess waiver. Comprehensive cover usually refunds the excess once liability is recovered, whereas third-party property only pays your damage if the other side coughs up.
Step 9: Arrange Towing, Repairs and Temporary Transport
Once reports are lodged, moving and fixing your car is next. Choosing reputable help now saves money, hassle and later claim disputes.
Selecting a licensed tow operator and avoiding “tow-truck sharks”
Ask to see the driver’s tow-truck licence, confirm fees in writing and never sign blank forms. Legit operators quote hook-up, per-kilometre and storage costs upfront.
Understanding insurer-approved repairers and warranties
Insurer-authorised repairers speed assessment, provide lifetime workmanship guarantees and bill the insurer directly. You still keep the legal right to nominate your own panel shop if preferred.
Getting a replacement vehicle when you’re not at fault
Not at fault? Request a courtesy or hire car; daily limits apply. Keep every receipt—excess or extra rental costs may later be recovered from the at-fault insurer.
Step 10: Follow Up on Health, Legal and Financial Matters
The flashing lights have gone and your car is on its way to the panel shop, but the job isn’t done. Knowing what to do after a car accident also means tending to the paperwork and the people—yourself included—once you’re back home.
Medical checks for delayed injuries
See your GP within 24–72 hours even if you feel fine. Whiplash, concussion or soft-tissue injuries often surface later and a dated medical note links those symptoms to the crash for any future claim.
Tracking costs and correspondence
Create a digital folder for quotes, tow invoices, medical bills, emails and phone notes. Update it each time money changes hands; insurers and lawyers love an organised claimant.
Emotional wellbeing after a crash
It’s normal to replay the impact in your head. If anxiety, nightmares or avoidance linger, phone Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636, and ask your GP about a mental-health plan.
Drive Forward Safely
A collision is rattling, but following these ten steps keeps you legally covered, financially protected and, most importantly, healthy. Stay calm, document everything, and don’t let the paperwork slide; future you will be thankful. When the dust settles, focus on restorative drives rather than red tape—regular maintenance, refreshed defensive-driving habits, and perhaps a safer route to work all help.
Need sharper cover or expert claims help next time? Get a fast quote or friendly advice from National Cover today and drive on with confidence.
