The Do’s and Don’ts of an Automobile Accident

Why the First Few Minutes Matter

After a collision it is normal to feel shaken. Taking a breath and working through a simple, consistent set of steps can help you avoid mistakes, protect your safety, and preserve the information your insurance carrier may need later. The goal is to gather facts, not to settle blame at the roadside.

New York adds a few specific considerations. As a no-fault state, much of the initial medical and economic recovery flows through your own policy on a prompt timeline, and certain crashes must be reported to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The lists below walk through both the universal basics and the New York details.

The Do’s

• Do get to safety first. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of active traffic to the shoulder or a nearby lot, turn on your hazard lights, and set out flares or warning triangles if you have them.
• Do check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Check yourself, your passengers, and others involved. If there is any injury — or if the roadway is blocked — call 911 and request medical help right away.
• Do call the police and get a report. Ask for an officer to respond so a police or accident report can be created. That report becomes an independent record of the scene and is often helpful when you file a claim.
• Do exchange information. Collect each driver’s name, phone number, and address; their insurance carrier and policy number; the vehicle make, model, and license plate; and the responding officer’s name and report number.
• Do document the scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, license plates, the position of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs or signals, and any visible injuries. Jot down the time, location, weather, and a brief description of what happened while it is fresh.
• Do get witness information. If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number. A neutral witness can be valuable if there is later disagreement about what occurred.
• Do notify your insurance carrier promptly. Report the accident as soon as you reasonably can. In a no-fault state, prompt notice matters, and your carrier can explain the claim process and what documentation may be needed. Save all receipts for towing, repairs, a rental car, and medical care.
• Do seek medical attention — even for minor injuries. Some injuries are not obvious right away. A prompt evaluation supports your health and helps document your condition, which can matter under New York’s no-fault (PIP) timelines.

The Don’ts

• Don’t leave the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident — especially one involving injury or property damage — can be a serious offense. Stay until you have exchanged information and the police have released you.
• Don’t admit fault or assign blame. Avoid apologizing for the accident or accusing the other driver. Provide only the facts to the responding officer and let fault be determined later based on the evidence and applicable law.
• Don’t skip the medical evaluation. Waving off care because you feel fine can delay treatment and may complicate a no-fault claim if symptoms appear later. When in doubt, get checked out.
• Don’t forget to report when required. Do not assume a crash is too small to report. New York requires drivers to file a report with the DMV for qualifying accidents, and your policy may also require prompt notice to your carrier.
• Don’t accept a settlement at the scene. Avoid agreeing to a cash payment or a private arrangement before the full extent of damage and any injuries is known. Let the claims process work as intended.
• Don’t drive an unsafe vehicle away. If you have any doubt about whether your vehicle is safe to drive after a collision, have it towed rather than risk a second incident.

How New York No-Fault (PIP) Affects You

New York is a no-fault state. That means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays for initial medical expenses and certain economic losses — such as a portion of lost earnings — for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the accident, subject to your policy’s terms and limits.

No-fault benefits typically come with prompt-filing deadlines. Insurers generally expect written notice of the claim within a limited window after the accident, and medical providers also work within no-fault billing timelines. Because the clock can start quickly, it is important to seek medical attention and notify your carrier without delay.

No-fault addresses the early medical and economic picture; questions of vehicle damage and liability are handled separately. A licensed insurance professional can help you understand how your specific coverages may apply.

After You Leave the Scene

• Keep your photos, notes, and the names and numbers you collected together in one place so they are easy to share with your carrier.
• Follow up on any medical care that was recommended, and hold on to bills and records related to the accident.
• Confirm whether a DMV report (typically MV-104) is required for your situation and file it within the applicable timeframe.
• Stay in touch with your carrier or licensed agent, who can help you understand the claim process and how your auto insurance coverages may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions