What To Do After A Motor Vehicle Accident
Safe driving and compliance go a long way toward reducing risk, but accidents can still happen. Taking the right actions in the moments that follow can help protect lives, preserve critical evidence, support the claims process, and minimize disruption to your company’s operations.
The following guidelines will help you navigate what to do after a motor vehicle accident.
Stop immediately
Stay calm
Protect the scene
Activate your vehicle’s four-way flashers
Set out warning devices (emergency triangles, flares), if applicable (§392.22)
Move your vehicle to a safe location if it’s in harm's way
Check for injuries
Render aid only if you are qualified
Do not move injured individuals unless in immediate danger
Contact law enforcement
Call (or designate someone to call) 911—even for minor accidents
Remain at the scene until authorities complete their investigation or clear you to leave
Notify your company
Provide accident location and basic details
Exchange information with all parties involved
Names, contact information, and driver’s license information of the other driver(s), as well as their employer or company name, if applicable
Insurance information and vehicle details (make, model, color, license plate and VIN number[s])
Names and contact information of passengers
Remain courteous and professional
Avoid discussing fault, the cause of the accident, or liability with anyone at the scene
Record accident details
Date and time of accident
Location of accident (intersection, street address, city, and state, exit, mile marker, landmarks)
Description of vehicle and/or property damage
Information about injuries
Description of accident (road, weather, and lighting conditions; direction you and the other driver[s] were traveling)
Name and contact information of witnesses
Any other relevant accident-related facts
Document the accident scene
Use your phone to take photos from multiple angles and distances before vehicles are moved, if safe to do so
Photograph all vehicles involved, license plates, vehicle and property damage, weather and roadway conditions, traffic signs and signals, location identifiers, and other pertinent scene details
Do not photograph injured individuals
Record a video walkthrough with your phone
Capture vehicle positions, damage to other vehicles/property, and the surrounding area without adding commentary
Obtain the investigating officer’s name, badge number, and police department
Do not make any statement about fault, the cause of the accident, or liability or sign anything
Only provide authorities with:
Your name, address, and driver's license number
Your company's name, address, and operating authority number, if applicable
Your insurance I.D. card
Cargo information/shipping documents, if applicable
Ask how to obtain the accident report and note the report number, if available
If no officer responds, file a civilian crash report with the police department where the accident occurred
REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS TO LANCER IMMEDIATELY—no matter the severity or fault
Follow company procedures for securing dash cam footage. if equipped
Abide by FMCSA post-accident drug and alcohol testing regulations (§382.303), if applicable
Preserve all evidence related to the accident without compromising safety
Do not repair or dispose of the vehicle before consulting with your claims examiner
Do not delete, alter, overwrite, or otherwise change electronic data, including ELD, dashcam, GPS, or vehicle-system information
Maintain all relevant information on cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices, including photos, videos, texts, emails, and other communications
After a Motor Vehicle Accident, Make Reporting a Priority
One of the most important actions you can take after a motor vehicle accident or any incident that could lead to a claim is to call Lancer immediately—even if all the facts are not yet known.
Prompt reporting allows our claims professionals to preserve critical facts while memories are fresh and evidence is still available. That early action can help control claim costs, prevent disputes, avoid unnecessary litigation, and protect your business from fraudulent and inflated claims.
As a Lancer policyholder, you have 24/7 access to experienced claims professionals who understand your business. From first notice to final resolution, our dedicated team is by your side, guiding you through the process, managing your claim efficiently, and getting you back on the road…fast!
What’s more, through our Loss Recovery Program, we’ll help you recover out-of-pocket and downtime expenses, including your deductible, when another party is at fault...at no additional cost to you.
Quick Answers
Do I need to report a minor motor vehicle accident to my insurer?
Yes. Always report an accident to your insurance carrier, even if it appears minor. Vehicle damage and injuries are not always immediately apparent, and timely reporting helps protect your interests and prevents surprises down the road. If you’re insured with Lancer, please report all accidents immediately—no matter the severity or fault.
Should I report an accident even if it wasn’t my fault?
Yes. Even if you weren’t at fault, report the accident to your insurance company. Reporting creates a record of the incident, protects you if the other driver disputes what happened, and helps safeguard your interests if injuries or hidden damage emerge later. Most policies also require timely reporting. Lancer policyholders can report accidents 24/7/365.
What information should I collect after a motor vehicle accident?
After a motor vehicle accident, collect:
Names and contact information of drivers, passengers, and witnesses
Driver’s license and insurance information for other drivers
Vehicle information, including make, model, license plate, and VIN
Date, time, and location of the accident
Injury and vehicle and property damage information
Road, weather, lighting, and traffic conditions
Photos and videos of the scene and vehicles from multiple angles, if safe to do so
If you're a Lancer policyholder, call us from the scene—we can guide you through what information to gather and what to do next.
Should I report an accident to my insurance company even if I don’t have all the details?
Yes. Report every accident immediately even without all the details. Provide what you know and additional information as it becomes available. Prompt reporting helps preserve critical facts and evidence, speed the claims process, and protect your business from unnecessary costs, disputes, and fraudulent claims. Lancer policyholders should call our 24/7/265 toll-free hotline immediately so we can start working on your behalf.
Why is it important to report all motor vehicle accidents promptly?
Immediate accident reporting can help preserve critical facts, control claim costs, reduce disputes and unnecessary litigation, and protect your business from fraudulent or inflated claims. Also, most commercial insurance policies require notification of any accident, regardless of severity or fault. If you are a Lancer policyholder, report all incidents immediately—even if all the facts are not yet known.
For more information on the importance of timely claims reporting, view our Why Prompt Claims Reporting Matters video today!
