Steps to Take After an Accident
No one plans to be in a crash, but knowing the steps to take after a car accident can keep everyone safe and make the insurance claim far simpler. If you have just been in an accident near Annapolis, take a breath, check for injuries, and work through the checklist below. Save or print this page so you have it in the glovebox when you need it most.
Before an Accident: Keep These in Your Car
A little preparation makes a stressful moment easier. Always keep these documents and safety items in your vehicle:
Vehicle registration
Proof of auto insurance
Driver's license (on you when driving)
Flares, cones, or emergency signage
A blanket and bottled water
A pen and paper (in case your phone dies)
What to Do at the Scene of an Accident: 8 Steps
Follow these steps in order. Tend to people first, then protect yourself, then handle the paperwork.
Check for injuries.
Check yourself and your passengers first. Make sure everyone is okay and call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt. Injuries always come before vehicles or paperwork.
Get to safety.
Be aware of your surroundings. Take extra caution if the crash may be the result of road rage or a possible carjacking. If you can, move out of the roadway and turn on your hazard lights.
Call 911 and wait for help.
Report the accident and stay at the scene. Never leave a crash site, even a minor one. A police report protects you later.
Exchange information.
Collect as much as you can: names and contact details for every driver, passenger, and witness. In a multi-car accident, ask each driver for their license, registration, and insurance ID. Write it down or photograph the documents and the scene with your phone.
Document the accident.
Note the location, time of day, and weather conditions. This matters most when police cannot respond. In that case, visit the nearest station and file an incident report. An official report protects you if the other party later claims damages or injuries.
Notify your insurer and start the claim.
Contact your insurance company as soon as you are able. Reporting quickly, while the details are fresh, makes the claims process smoother and faster.
Arrange towing (if needed).
If your vehicle is not drivable, call a towing company, and decide where it is going before it is hooked up. We recommend sending it straight to a collision center you trust, like Koons Ford Collision Center. Either way, have a plan so you do not pay to tow the same car twice.
Schedule your repairs.
Work with your collision center to set a time for your insurer to assess the damage so repairs can begin. The sooner it is scheduled, the sooner you are back on the road.
After the Accident: Trust Koons Ford Collision Center
When the dust settles, our factory-trained technicians in Annapolis will restore your Ford, or any make, to pre-accident condition using genuine parts and manufacturer-approved repair procedures. We work directly with your insurance company to make the claim painless.
Need Service or Repairs? Schedule Online
From post-accident repairs to routine maintenance, the Koons Ford of Annapolis service team keeps your vehicle safe and road-ready. Book an appointment in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing you should do after a car accident?
Check for injuries. Make sure you and your passengers are okay, and call 911 right away if anyone is hurt. Only after everyone is safe should you worry about the vehicles or exchanging information.
What information should I exchange after an accident?
Get the name, phone number, driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance ID for every driver involved, plus contact details for any passengers and witnesses. Photograph the documents and the scene with your phone.
Should I call the police after a minor accident?
Yes. A police report creates an official record that protects you if the other party later claims damages or injuries. If police cannot come to the scene, file an incident report at the nearest station.
Where should I have my car towed after an accident?
Decide before the tow truck arrives, and send your vehicle directly to a collision center you trust, like Koons Ford Collision Center in Annapolis. Choosing a destination up front means you will not pay to tow the same car twice.
How soon should I contact my insurance company?
As soon as you are safely able to. Reporting while the details are fresh makes the claims process faster and smoother, and many policies require prompt notification.
Do I have to use the repair shop my insurance recommends?
No. You have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired. Koons Ford Collision Center works with all insurance companies and uses genuine parts and manufacturer-approved procedures.