A car accident can rattle even the most experienced driver. In that moment, heart racing, adrenaline pumping, it’s hard to think clearly about what to do after a car accident in Australia. But the steps you take in those first few minutes and hours matter. They affect your safety, your legal standing, and whether your insurance claim goes smoothly or turns into a drawn-out headache.
At National Cover, we help Australian drivers through the aftermath of accidents every day. From guiding claims to arranging towing and replacement vehicles, we see firsthand how much easier the process is when people know what’s expected of them, and what their rights are.
This guide walks you through everything step by step: from securing the scene and meeting your legal obligations, to exchanging details, reporting to police, and starting your insurance claim with confidence.
Before you start: safety, rights, and legal duties
Before you take any action at the scene, it helps to know what the law requires of you and what protections you have as a driver. In Australia, all states and territories set out specific legal duties for drivers involved in an accident, regardless of who caused it. Ignoring these duties can lead to fines, licence suspension, or criminal charges.
What the law requires
Every driver involved in a collision in Australia must stop immediately at or near the scene. You are legally required to stay until you have assisted any injured people and exchanged your details with all other parties involved. Leaving without doing this is a criminal offence across all Australian states and territories, and the penalties can be severe.
If anyone is injured and you drive away, you could face charges under your state’s road transport laws, entirely separate from any insurance consequences.
You must also provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver, any injured person, and the owner of any property your vehicle damaged. If police attend the scene, give them that same information. Failing to provide your details is itself a separate offence under road transport legislation in every state.
Your rights as a driver
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Australia also means knowing what you are not legally required to do. You do not have to admit fault at the scene. Admitting liability on the spot can damage your insurance claim and your legal position, even if you believe you caused the collision.
You also have the right to document the scene thoroughly before any vehicles are moved, provided it is safe to do so. Your insurer will rely on photos, witness accounts, and other evidence when assessing your claim, so take full advantage of the situation.
Step 1. Make the scene safe and get medical help
Your first priority after any crash is safety, not paperwork. Before you think about insurance or fault, you need to remove the risk of further harm to yourself and anyone else at the scene.
Move vehicles and warn other road users
If the vehicles are driveable and it is safe to move them, pull off the road or onto the shoulder to clear the lane. Turn on your hazard lights immediately to warn approaching traffic. If you have them, place warning triangles or flares at least 30 metres behind the collision point.
Never stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic while waiting for help to arrive.
Check for injuries and call 000
Check yourself first, then check all other people involved in the accident. If anyone is injured, call 000 straight away and follow the operator’s instructions until paramedics arrive. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless they face immediate danger, such as fire.
Even if injuries appear minor, encourage all parties to seek medical assessment that same day. Some injuries, including whiplash and concussion, only become apparent hours later, and a medical record will support any future claim.
Step 2. Exchange details and protect your position
Once the scene is safe, exchanging details is your next legal obligation. This step is central to what to do after a car accident in Australia, and doing it correctly protects your insurance claim and legal position from the outset.
What details to collect
Collect the following from every driver, passenger, and witness at the scene. Make sure the information is accurate and complete before anyone leaves, as chasing people up afterwards is difficult and will slow your claim significantly.
- Full name and home address
- Phone number
- Driver’s licence number and state of issue
- Vehicle registration number
- Make, model, and colour of vehicle
- Insurance company name and policy number (if they can provide it)
What not to say
Avoid admitting fault or making any comments about what caused the accident. Even a casual "sorry" can be treated as an admission of liability by insurers and courts. Stick to factual, neutral statements when speaking with other parties.
Never agree to settle privately or accept cash on the spot, as this can void your insurance cover entirely.
Keep your conversation brief and professional. Your insurer manages liability discussions on your behalf, so let them handle that part of the process.
Step 3. Gather evidence that insurers will use
One of the most important parts of knowing what to do after a car accident in Australia is collecting solid evidence at the scene. The photos and notes you gather give your insurer the factual foundation they need to assess liability and process your claim without unnecessary delays.
What to photograph
Capture photos before any vehicles are moved and cover a variety of angles. Make sure your smartphone timestamps are showing, as most cameras record these automatically, which helps establish the timeline of events.
Photograph:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- Position of cars on the road
- Skid marks and road surface conditions
- Traffic signs and signals nearby
- Number plates of all vehicles
Wide-angle shots showing the full scene context are just as important as close-ups of specific damage.
What to write down
Record a brief account of what happened in your own words while the details are still fresh. Note the time, date, weather conditions, road surface, speed limit, and direction each vehicle was travelling. If witnesses are present, ask for their contact details and a short statement before they leave the scene.
Step 4. Report the crash to police when required
Not every crash requires a police report, but many do. Knowing when you must report is a key part of understanding what to do after a car accident in Australia, and failing to report when required can lead to fines or complications with your claim.
When reporting is mandatory
In most Australian states, you must contact police if any of the following apply:
- Anyone is injured, regardless of severity
- A driver leaves without exchanging details
- Property damage appears to exceed your state’s reporting threshold
- The other driver seems uninsured, unlicensed, or impaired
Each state sets its own damage threshold, so check your state’s road transport authority website if you are unsure whether your situation qualifies.
If police do not attend the scene and you are unsure whether to report, call your local station and ask before leaving.
How to report the crash
If police do not attend the scene, visit your nearest police station within 24 hours. Ask for a written event or report number, as your insurer will need this when you lodge your claim.
Keep this number with your other accident documentation. Your insurer may request it when assessing liability, so storing it safely from the start saves time later.
Step 5. Arrange towing, repairs, and insurance claims
Once you have dealt with safety, evidence, and police obligations, the final part of knowing what to do after a car accident in Australia involves arranging towing and starting your insurance claim without delay.
Towing and immediate vehicle care
If your vehicle cannot be driven, call your insurer before you arrange a tow. Many policies include 24/7 towing as a standard benefit, so using an independent operator without checking first could mean you pay out of pocket unnecessarily.
Never sign a towing or storage agreement without checking the fees, as some operators charge significant daily storage costs.
National Cover provides round-the-clock towing for policyholders and can also arrange a replacement vehicle for not-at-fault claims. Always confirm these benefits with your insurer before agreeing to any third-party towing arrangement.
Lodging your insurance claim
Contact your insurer as soon as possible after the accident, ideally the same day. When you call, have the following ready:
- Your policy number
- The police event number (if applicable)
- Photos and notes from the scene
- Details of all other parties involved
Your insurer will then guide the repairs process and confirm whether you are eligible for a replacement car while yours is assessed.
What to do once you’re home
Once you’re home, the work is not quite finished. Write up a complete summary of the accident while the details are fresh, including everything you observed, said, and photographed at the scene. Store your photos, witness contacts, police event number, and insurer correspondence in one folder so nothing gets lost during the claims process.
Follow up with your insurer if you have not heard back within 24 hours. Keep a written record of every phone call and email, noting the date, the name of who you spoke with, and what was agreed. If your injuries feel worse than they did at the scene, see a doctor immediately and keep the medical records, as your insurer may need them.
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Australia is far easier when you have the right cover behind you. If you want straightforward, competitive car insurance with genuine claims support, get a quote with National Cover today.
