A crash can rattle even the most experienced driver. In the shock and adrenaline, it’s easy to miss vital steps that protect your safety, your rights, and your ability to make a clean claim. Australia also has specific legal obligations that vary by state and territory, so knowing exactly what to do—and in what order—matters whether it’s a low‑speed scrape or a serious collision.
This practical motor vehicle accident checklist gives you a clear, step‑by‑step plan for Australian roads: what to do in the first minutes, who to call (000 or 131 444), what to say (and what not to), and the photos, details and documents to collect for police and insurers. You’ll also get a printable glovebox PDF and a phone‑friendly version you can save before you need it.
Below, you’ll find a calm, chronological guide covering safety, exchanging legally required details, recording evidence, towing rights, reporting thresholds, special scenarios (hit‑and‑run, animals, cyclists, property damage), commercial vehicle obligations, and key claim time limits. Keep this handy—then follow it line by line when it counts.
Step 1. Stop, secure the scene and check for injuries
Pull over and stop as soon as it’s safe. Take a breath, turn your hazard lights on and assess yourself and others for injuries. You must stop and give assistance where it’s safe to do so. Switch off engines and stay alert to traffic. In this motor vehicle accident checklist, Step 2 covers who to call; for now, secure the scene and prevent a second impact.
Step 2. Call 000 or 131 444: decide if it’s an emergency or non-urgent
Decide fast. Dial 000 for emergencies; use 131 444 (Police Assistance/Policelink) for non‑urgent help and reporting. If unsure, call 000.
- 000 – serious injury/trapped.
- 000 – hazards/traffic control needed (fuel spill, fire, powerlines).
- 000 – impairment suspected or no exchange of details.
- 131 444 – no immediate danger; minor crash needing a report/event number.
Step 3. Make the area safe: hazards, moving vehicles and first aid
Once you’ve called for help, focus on preventing a secondary crash. Make the scene visible and remove hazards only when it’s safe—your safety comes first and you must not create new risks for others.
- Make it visible: Turn on hazard lights and keep people behind barriers or on the kerb.
- Move cars if needed: If traffic is obstructed and it’s safe, move vehicles off the road; if not obstructing, leave them until police arrive.
- Scan for hazards: Fuel leaks, fire, live traffic or downed powerlines—keep clear and request police for traffic control if needed.
- Assist safely: Give assistance if it’s safe to do so, call 000 for injuries and follow operator instructions; use first aid only if you’re trained.
Step 4. Exchange details: the legal information you must share in Australia
You must stop and exchange particulars after a crash. Collect the same from every driver and the vehicle owner (if different). Verify ID by sighting the licence and keep the exchange factual.
- Full name, residential address and phone (driver and owner)
- Licence number and issuing state/territory
- Rego, make, model, colour
- Insurer (CTP/comprehensive) and policy number (if known)
If someone refuses or leaves, note rego and call 000 or 131 444.
Step 5. Record the scene: photos, video, dash cam and a simple diagram
As part of your motor vehicle accident checklist, capture evidence before anything moves with your phone and dash cam. Note date, time, location and directions, then draw a simple diagram.
- Wide shots: positions, lanes and intersection layout.
- Close-ups: impact points and all damage.
- Key details: plates, skid marks, debris, signs, road and weather.
- Dash cam: save files immediately; don’t edit originals.
Step 6. Get witness details and note independent accounts
In your motor vehicle accident checklist, independent witnesses help establish liability. Approach bystanders before they leave and note a factual account in their words. Record where they were and what they could see or hear. Ask permission to share details with police and insurers.
- Name and phone
- Consent to be contacted
Step 7. Keep it factual: what not to say or do (no admissions, no social posts)
Stay calm and stick to facts. At the scene—and afterwards—avoid anything that could be taken as accepting fault. Insurers and police rely on evidence; your motor vehicle accident checklist works best when your words are neutral, concise and consistent with what you’ve recorded.
- Don’t apologise or admit liability.
- Don’t speculate about speed, distraction or blame.
- Don’t sign statements you don’t understand.
- Avoid social posts or sharing photos until the claim is resolved.
Step 8. Towing and roadside help: your rights and tow authorities
If your vehicle isn’t safe to drive, you can choose who to tow and where to take it. Don’t feel pressured by unsolicited tow trucks. In most cases a vehicle can’t be towed without your signed tow authority, unless police direct otherwise. Keep control of costs and documentation.
- Sign a tow authority only after reading it.
- Choose the destination: home, your repairer or a holding yard.
- Confirm fees upfront: tow, call‑out, storage and release.
- Keep receipts and the tow operator’s details.
- Remove valuables and photos of damage before the tow.
- Use your insurer’s network if offered for smoother claims.
Step 9. Report the crash to police and obtain an event number
Report the crash as required in your state—even for minor incidents if injuries are suspected, vehicles need towing, details aren’t exchanged, or hazards/traffic control were involved. Call 000 at the time or 131 444/online later for non‑urgent reports. Ask for and record the police event/report number, officer/station, and time of report.
Step 10. See a doctor early and keep medical records and receipts
As part of your motor vehicle accident checklist, see a GP or emergency department as soon as you can—even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks pain and insurers (and CTP injury claims) rely on contemporaneous medical evidence linking your injuries to the crash. Follow the treatment plan and keep everything.
- GP assessment and notes: date, diagnosis and link to the collision.
- Referrals and imaging: scans, reports and specialist letters.
- Prescriptions and pharmacy dockets: medications and dosages.
- Allied health invoices: physio, psychology and rehabilitation.
- Medical/work certificates: capacity for work and restrictions.
Step 11. Notify your insurer and lodge your claim with the right policy
Contact your insurer (or fleet manager) as soon as practical and lodge the claim under the correct cover. Use comprehensive or third party property for vehicle/property damage; injury claims proceed via the at‑fault driver’s CTP insurer. Keep your account factual and include any police event number.
- Incident summary: description/diagram, date, time, location.
- Evidence: photos, dash cam files, list of damage.
- Your details: policy number, driver/licence, rego, police event number (if issued).
- Third parties: names, contacts, insurers, witness details and tow/destination location.
Step 12. If you’re not at fault: excess, choice of repairer and replacement car
In this motor vehicle accident checklist, being clearly not at fault can reduce costs and stress. If the other driver is identified, ask your insurer about recovery options, excess, repairer choice and a hire/replacement car. Always check your PDS—benefits and conditions differ by policy and state.
- Excess: May be waived or refunded once liability is accepted.
- Repairer: Choose yours or use preferred; preferred is often faster with warranties.
- Replacement car: Not‑at‑fault hire is common; confirm limits, duration and provider.
Step 13. If you’re uninsured or third party only: letters of demand and recovery
If you don’t have comprehensive cover, you’ll need to recover your losses from the at‑fault driver or their insurer. Use a clear letter of demand backed by the evidence you gathered in this motor vehicle accident checklist, then follow up methodically.
- State the claim: itemise repairs, tow, storage, reasonable hire costs.
- Attach proof: photos, quotes/invoices, witnesses, police event number.
- Set a deadline: request payment by a reasonable date and give bank details.
- Send trackably: email and/or trackable post; keep copies and a contact log.
- Escalate: if ignored or disputed, issue a final notice and seek legal advice or lodge a court claim.
Step 14. Special situations: hit and run, parked cars, animals, cyclists and property damage
Some crashes have extra twists. Keep to this motor vehicle accident checklist, then add these quick actions to stay safe and make the right non‑urgent or emergency reports while preserving useful evidence.
- Hit and run: Note rego/description/direction; call 000 if danger, else 131 444 for an event number.
- Parked/unattended: Photograph; leave a secure contact note; if owner unknown, report via 131 444.
- Animals on road: Keep clear; warn traffic; call 000 if it’s a live road hazard.
- Cyclists/pedestrians: If injured, call 000; don’t move them unless they’re in immediate danger.
- Property damage: Photograph and note address; if hazard or owner unknown, contact 131 444.
Step 15. For rideshare, taxi, courier and business vehicles: extra obligations to note
Driving for work—rideshare, taxi, courier or business—treat the crash as road and workplace under this motor vehicle accident checklist. Preserve evidence and meet platform and insurer requirements before resuming.
- Notify platform/employer/fleet; log the incident.
- Stand down until vehicle is cleared.
- Save dash cam and in‑cab/telematics data.
- Record booking/consignment IDs and goods condition; consider public liability.
Step 16. State and territory rules at a glance: reporting thresholds and contacts
Reporting rules differ by state, but the triggers are similar. Use this at‑a‑glance guide from your motor vehicle accident checklist; if unsure, call 000.
- Injuries or trapped — call 000.
- Hazards/traffic control or towing required.
- Impairment suspected or details not exchanged.
- Contacts: 000; 131 444 (Police Assistance/Policelink) or your state police online portal (non‑urgent/event number).
Step 17. Build your glovebox kit: printable checklist and essentials to carry
Prepare before you need it. Print the glovebox version of this motor vehicle accident checklist and keep a compact kit so the first minutes are safer and your claim is easier. Store it all in one pouch you can grab in low light.
- Printed checklist and pen
- Phone, charger/power bank
- Licence, rego and insurer details
- Torch, hi‑vis and basic first aid
- Disposable gloves, zip‑lock bags
Step 18. After the crash: track repairs, communications and timelines
Now switch from crisis mode to admin. Track repairs, approvals and dates so your claim keeps moving and costs stay down. Approve a written repair authority, ask for parts ETAs/total‑loss timeframes, and chase updates early—delays cause storage fees and missed hire‑car limits; escalate via your insurer’s complaints team if milestones slip.
- Log claim number, contacts and promised dates.
Step 19. Know the time limits for injury and property claims and when to seek legal advice
Deadlines matter. Notify your insurer promptly and check your PDS. Injury time limits vary by state. If liability is disputed or it’s a hit‑and‑run, seek legal advice early. Property damage claims also have state limitation periods.
In QLD: give a CTP Notice of Accident Claim within nine months (or one month after first seeing a lawyer), and begin court proceedings within three years.
Before you go
Take a moment now to save this checklist and set up your glovebox kit so the first minutes after a crash are calm, safe and on‑track. If you need help choosing cover that fits how you drive—private, rideshare or business—our specialists can guide you and support your claims 365 days a year. Get tailored advice and competitive pricing with National Cover so you’re protected before, during and after a crash.
