I’ve just been in an accident. What should I do?

Please do not call to report your claim from the scene of the accident—you may be distracted by police, tow trucks, or other involved parties. If any medical assistance is needed, call 911; otherwise, contact the police to report the incident. After making sure all vehicles involved are in a safe location, exchange needed information with any other parties involved, if possible. Key information includes:

• The name of each involved party’s insurance company and their policy number
• The names, contact numbers, and addresses of each driver involved
• The names, contact numbers, and addresses of any available witnesses

If it is safe to do so, take photos of the accident scene and all damages.

More tips on making an auto insurance claim

Knowing what not to do after and accident is just as important as knowing what you should do. There are into 10 things you should keep in mind.

Should you file a police report? The answer is usually “yes.” Learn why filing an accident report with the police is a good idea.