Owner's guide
What to do after an accident
The order of operations for the ten minutes after a crash. Written so you can follow it with shaking hands.
First: people, then traffic, then the car.
1. Stop and make yourself safe. Hazards on. If the car drives and it's blocking live lanes, move it to the shoulder or a side street — NSW expects you to clear the road when it's safe to. If it doesn't drive, get yourself behind a barrier or well off the carriageway. Never stand between two cars.
2. Call 000 if anyone is injured, if a vehicle can't be moved off a busy road, or if the other driver appears affected by alcohol or drugs. Police attendance also matters if there's a dispute about what happened. For minor no-injury bumps, you generally exchange details and report later if required.
Then: evidence, calmly.
3. Photograph everything before anything moves (if it's safe to): both cars from several angles, number plates, the wider scene showing road position, skid marks, traffic signs. Thirty seconds of photos settles arguments that otherwise run for months.
4. Exchange details. Name, address, phone, rego, and insurer of every driver involved. Note the exact location and time. If there are witnesses, a name and number each. Say what's needed to exchange details. The facts of fault are for insurers, not the roadside.
Finally: the tow, on your terms.
5. Choose your own tow. Trucks that appear uninvited at accident scenes are not automatically your only option — you choose the operator and the destination. Call your insurer's line or an operator you trust, and don't sign a towing authorisation with a blank destination.
6. Tell your insurer promptly. Most policies require notification within a reasonable time. Send them your photos, the other party's details, and the towing invoice.
If the accident happens in Sydney, we recover accident-damaged vehicles 24/7 and deliver them wherever you nominate. With scene photos included for your claim.
Good to know.
Should I move my car after a minor accident?
If it drives and it's blocking traffic, yes — NSW expects the road cleared when safe. Take quick photos of the resting positions first if you can do so without standing in a live lane.
Do police need to attend every accident?
No. Call 000 for injuries, hazards, or suspected impaired drivers. Minor no-injury collisions are usually handled by exchanging details, with a report to police afterwards where required.
What should I photograph at the scene?
Both vehicles from multiple angles, plates, the damage close-up, and wide shots showing road position and signage. More is better. Photos are the cheapest insurance you'll ever have.