Being involved in a car accident can be stressful, especially when you are suddenly dealing with vehicle damage, insurance paperwork and questions about where your car should be repaired. Knowing what to do in the minutes and days after a collision can make the process much easier.
If you have been involved in a crash in Victoria, the first priority is always safety. Once everyone is safe, you can start gathering the information needed for your insurance claim and vehicle repairs.
Here is a practical step-by-step guide to help you understand what to do after a car accident.
1. Check Everyone Is Safe
Immediately after the collision, stop your vehicle and check whether anyone has been injured. If there is an emergency or someone needs urgent medical assistance, call Triple Zero (000).
Victoria’s road rules require drivers involved in a crash to stop, assist injured people and provide relevant details to other people involved. If property has been damaged and the owner or police are not present, the crash may also need to be reported to police.
If your vehicle is in a dangerous position on the road, move it only when it is safe and legally appropriate to do so. Avoid putting yourself or other road users at further risk.
2. Exchange Details With the Other Driver
Once the immediate situation is under control, collect the necessary details from the other driver.
This can include:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Driver’s licence details where appropriate
- Vehicle registration number
- Vehicle make and model
- Insurance details
- Vehicle owner’s details if different from the driver
You should also record the details of anyone who witnessed the accident. Victoria’s official crash guidance states that drivers must provide relevant details to other people involved in a crash and to police when required.
Try to keep the conversation focused on exchanging information rather than arguing about who caused the accident. It is generally better to let the insurer and relevant authorities assess the circumstances.
3. Take Photos and Record What Happened
Your phone can be extremely useful after an accident.
If it is safe to do so, photograph the vehicles before they are moved. Take pictures from different angles so the damage is clearly visible. You can also photograph:
- Number plates
- Road conditions
- Traffic signs
- Vehicle positions
- Damage to surrounding property
- Debris from the collision
- Visible skid marks
- Any relevant road markings
Write down the date, approximate time and location of the accident while the details are still fresh in your mind.
If there were witnesses, record their contact details. Keeping accurate information can help your insurer understand what happened and may be useful if there is a disagreement about the circumstances of the crash. Victoria Legal Aid also recommends recording accident details such as the location, date, time, witnesses and other relevant circumstances.
4. Report the Accident When Required
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may need to report it to police.
For example, Victoria’s official guidance says a crash involving an injured person must be reported to the nearest police station if police are not already at the scene. Property damage situations can also require a police report where the owner or police are not present.
For emergencies, call Triple Zero (000). For appropriate non-urgent matters, Victoria Police also provides online reporting and the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Keep any police report or incident number you receive, as your insurer may ask for it during the claims process.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you are safe and have collected the necessary information, contact your insurer as soon as practical.
Even if you are unsure whether you want to make a claim, notifying your insurer can be important. Victoria Legal Aid notes that many insurance policies require policyholders to notify their insurer after an accident, even when they initially decide not to make a claim.
Your insurer will generally ask for information about:
- When and where the accident happened
- What happened
- The other vehicle and driver
- Damage to your vehicle
- Police report details, if applicable
- Photos and supporting information
- Your policy and claim details
Have your policy information and photographs ready before making the call. This can make the conversation much easier.
6. Understand Your Insurance Cover
Your next steps can depend on the type of insurance you have.
For example, comprehensive insurance generally provides cover for damage to your own vehicle, subject to the terms of your policy and any applicable excess. Third-party policies may provide different levels of protection.
Your insurer should explain what your policy covers, what excess may apply and how the repair process will work.
Don’t assume that every accident will be handled in exactly the same way. Your policy wording and the circumstances of the accident matter.
7. Ask About the Repair Process
Once your claim has been lodged, ask your insurer what happens next.
You may need to have the vehicle assessed before repairs begin. Depending on the circumstances, your insurer may arrange an assessment, nominate a repairer or provide information about available repair options.
It is worth asking questions before authorising repairs, including:
- Where will my vehicle be repaired?
- Who is assessing the damage?
- What is my excess?
- What happens if additional damage is found?
- Is a courtesy vehicle available?
- How long could the repairs take?
- What warranty applies to the repair?
- What happens if parts are unavailable?
Having these details clarified early can prevent confusion later.
8. Get the Vehicle Professionally Assessed
Accident damage is not always limited to what you can see.
A bumper might look like the main problem while other components behind it may also have been affected. More serious impacts can involve panels, mounting points, suspension components or structural areas.
A professional crash repair assessment can help identify the repair work required before the vehicle is returned to the road.
At Complete Automotive Crash Repair, the repair process can include towing, chassis straightening, panel repairs, paintless dent removal, spray painting and insurance repairs. The workshop is equipped to handle collision repairs from its Coburg North location.
9. Keep Your Insurance and Repair Documents
Don’t throw away paperwork once the vehicle has been repaired.
Keep copies of your:
- Insurance claim number
- Police report details
- Repair assessment
- Repair invoices
- Photos
- Emails and correspondence
- Warranty information
Having these records in one place can make it much easier to answer questions later.
10. Don’t Rush the Final Repair Decision
After an accident, it is easy to feel pressured to get everything sorted immediately. However, taking a little time to understand the process can help you make informed decisions.
Ask questions if something in the repair estimate or insurance process is unclear. You should understand what work is proposed, what your policy covers and what costs may apply before proceeding.
For more significant collision damage, choosing an experienced repair workshop is particularly important because proper repairs involve more than simply making the damaged area look good. Accurate panel alignment, structural checks, paint matching and final quality inspections can all form part of the repair process.
Getting Back on the Road After an Accident
A car accident can turn an ordinary day into a major hassle, but having a clear process can make things more manageable. Focus on safety first, collect accurate information, document the damage, notify your insurer and make sure you understand the repair process before work begins.
If your vehicle needs professional accident repairs, panel repairs, spray painting, paintless dent removal or structural repair, Complete Automotive Crash Repair provides these services from its workshop in Coburg North. The business works with all major Australian insurers and offers a free assessment for customers needing crash repairs.
If you need professional crash repairs, Complete Automotive Crash Repair is located at 3/159 Newlands Road, Coburg North VIC 3058. The team is available Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and you can contact them on 03 9354 0493 or email info@completeautomotivecrash.com.au to discuss your repair needs.