What to Do After an Accident

Car accidents can often leave drivers, passengers and witnesses shaken. In the moments that follow, staying focused on safety is what matters most. After you've made certain that everyone is out of danger, you can move the vehicles off the road if possible, contact police or any first responder that should be notified and begin gathering information.

What Are the Next Steps After an Accident?

In the aftermath of an accident, your brain might start to whirl with questions. Often, the loudest one is, what now?

1. Make sure everyone is safe and get out of harm's way. Check yourself, your car's passengers and the passengers in the other vehicle if there is one and it's safely accessible.

   If your vehicle can be moved out of the roadway, do so. Turn on your hazard lights, and if you have flares or emergency triangles, use them to alert others that danger is ahead. Try to stay calm, as panicking won't help the situation.

2. Call the police to report the accident and EMS if needed. Call 911 immediately to request medical help if anyone is injured and to report the accident to police. Once on scene, police will file a report.
3. Document the scene. Take notes, photos, videos and voice memos. Make sure to get: 
   • Date, time and location
   • Description of what happened, while it's still fresh in your mind
   • Contact information of those involved and any witnesses
   • Insurance information, driver's license number and license plate information of all drivers involved
   • Identifying information of all responding officers
   • Photos of the involved vehicles
   • Copy of final accident report
4. Contact roadside assistance. If your vehicle is inoperable, you can request a tow using your preferred towing company or by using ERIE's Roadside Service. Call 800-FOR-ERIE (800-367-3743), Option 2, file a claim online or use the ERIE mobile app.

   Roadside Service is an optional coverage on your auto policy. If you don't have this coverage, you can still use Roadside Service but you'll have to pay on the spot for towing or service calls.

5. Start the claims process. Once you're off the road and in a quiet, secure location, contact your Erie Insurance Agent or ERIE's main claims office to begin the claims process. No matter where the accident occurs, your agent can gather the information, talk about next steps and submit the claim so you can start the recovery process.

What Should I Photograph?

While getting photos of the damage might not be top of mind in the aftermath of an accident, capturing the extent of the damage can be a valuable tool during the claims process. Once you’ve called the police and exchanged information with any other parties involved, taking photos—assuming you can safely exit the vehicle—is a smart next step.

What makes photos so crucial is their ability to offer impartial proof of what occurred during the accident. Photos make for a reliable means of evidence by helping figure out how the accident occurred, who was at fault and capturing what the scene is like.

When you take photos, you’ll want to capture:

• Vehicle damage from multiple angles, including wide angles
• License plates
• Property damage
• Road conditions
• Video of traffic flow and traffic light intervals
• Tire marks on the road
• Injuries

Once you have filed a claim, and your vehicle needs to be repaired, the adjuster assigned to your claim may ask for additional photos of the damage to help with the estimate. If you are using the photo appraisal tool, you will be prompted for certain photos through either a text or email.

How to File a Claim

After you’ve made certain that everyone is safe, obtained a police report, documented the scene, you can start filing a claim. This involves notifying your insurance company of the accident, so they can investigate and cover eligible repairs or medical costs under your policy.

Filing a claim with ERIE can be broken down into the following steps.

1. Start a claim by: 
   • Contacting your ERIE agent
   • Calling ERIE’s claims number at (800) 367-3743.
2. A claims representative will contact you. An adjuster will get in touch with you right away to review the accident details and your auto insurance coverage. If your vehicle is not drivable and you need a rental, they can arrange that for you at this time too. To speed up the process, keep all the information you have collected handy.
3. Review car repair options. ERIE offers several options for getting your car back up and running. Options ERIE offers include: 
   • Photo Appraisal
   • Direct Repair Program
   • Field Inspection
   Customers always have the choice to work with any auto repair shop they trust for the inspection, damage estimate and repairs.
4. Monitor your claim in your Online Account or ERIE mobile app. You will be able to view: 
   • The status of your claim
   • Rental company and repair shop information
   • Payment status
   • Contact information for claims representative handling your claim
5. Settle the insurance claim. Most claims have speedy resolutions, but the timeframe will depend on the nature of the accident. Claims settlement checks can be distributed via paper checks or epayment, if eligible.¹ 

As the customer, you have the right to select your repair shop. ERIE can also provide you with a list of trustworthy repair shops that are part of the Direct Repair Program.

What If…? Common Post-Accident Scenarios

While it’s helpful to keep these best practices in mind, accidents rarely play out exactly to plan. That’s why it’s important to be ready should complications arise.

For answers to common scenarios, visit our accident Frequently Asked Questions page.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at the Accident Scene

In the disorienting aftermath of an accident, it is easy to make mistakes. Be mindful of these common pitfalls:

• Vacating the scene. It’s the driver’s responsibility to remain at the scene until all information is exchanged and a police report has been completed.
• Discussing who’s at fault. Only determine the details of the accident and relay them to police and insurance.
• Delaying contacting your insurer. By reporting your accident in a timely manner, it can help the claims process.
• Skipping documentation. Obtain photos and other evidence as soon as possible.
• Ignoring injuries. If you feel any pain, include this in your report to police and insurance, as it helps get it on record and trigger the correct coverage.

What Should I Do if I Witness an Accident?

If you witness a car accident, your top priority should, again, be your safety. If the scene is safe, you can attempt to lend assistance and call 911 to report the accident.

For a detailed guide on what you can do when witnessing an accident, read our blog.

You’re Not Alone

Car accidents are stressful, but knowing what to do can make the situation more manageable. Prioritizing safety, documenting the scene and contacting your insurer promptly can help protect you and move the recovery process forward.

If you ever have questions about your coverage or the claims process, your ERIE agent is ready to help.

¹The ERIE ePayment option is available for personal lines payments up to $15,000 and cannot involve a lienholder. Payments must be made to personal, U.S. based bank accounts. ERIE retains no bank account information using either form of electronic transfer.