RESOURCE
What to do right after a collision.
A short, practical guide. Save this page on your phone — you probably won't need it, but if you do, you won't want to be Googling.
Make sure everyone is safe
If anyone is injured — including you — call 911 immediately. Don't move seriously injured people unless there's an immediate danger like fire. If everyone is okay and the cars can be moved, get them out of traffic.
Call the police
For any collision involving injury, significant damage, or another driver, call the police. In California, you're legally required to report any accident with injury or over $1,000 in damage. The police report becomes critical documentation later.
Document the scene
Use your phone. Take photos of all vehicles involved, license plates, the damage close-up, the scene itself (road, signs, signals, weather), and the other driver's license + insurance card. It feels excessive in the moment. It's not.
Exchange information
Get the other driver's name, address, phone, insurance company name and policy number, license plate, and driver's license number. Don't discuss fault at the scene — let the insurance companies and police sort it out. Stick to facts.
Notify your insurance
Call your insurance company as soon as it's safe to do so — even if you weren't at fault. Most insurers have 24/7 claim lines. Tell them what happened. Don't speculate about fault. They'll start a claim and assign an adjuster.
Get the car towed (if needed)
If your car can't be safely driven, you need a tow. Use the on-scene tow or call your insurer's roadside coverage. Either way, you choose where the car goes — you're not required to send it to the tow company's storage yard or any specific shop. Tell the tow driver where you want it taken.
Get a real estimate
Once the car is somewhere safe, get a real estimate — not just the adjuster's drive-by. The shop you choose handles the actual repair, the insurance back-and-forth, and the parts ordering. In California, that choice is yours, not the insurer's. This is where we come in.
Just had an accident?
Call us. We'll talk you through next steps and arrange a tow if you need one.