What to Do Right After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Checklist (Including When to Call a Tow)

Car accidents are stressful, disorienting, and often happen when you least expect them. In the minutes afterward, your brain is trying to process what just happened while you’re also making decisions that affect your safety, your passengers, other drivers, and your vehicle. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out in the moment—having a clear checklist can help you stay calm and take the right steps.

At Darrah’s Towing, we’ve assisted drivers for years—on busy highways, rural roads, icy mornings, late-night collisions, and everything in between. We’ve seen what helps and what hurts after an accident. This guide is written from real-world experience, with a step-by-step process you can follow immediately after a crash, including exactly when it makes sense to call a tow.

Step 1: Breathe, Stay Calm, and Check for Injuries

Before you do anything else, take a deep breath. Panic leads to rushed decisions.

1. Check yourself first for pain, dizziness, bleeding, or limited movement.

2. Check passengers—especially children and older adults.

3. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately and avoid moving them unless there’s an immediate danger (like fire).

Even if injuries seem minor, adrenaline can hide symptoms. Neck and back pain often show up later.

Step 2: Move to Safety (If It’s Safe to Move)

If the vehicles are drivable and the accident is minor, it’s usually best to move out of traffic to prevent another collision.

• Turn on hazard lights

• Move to the shoulder, a nearby parking lot, or a safe side street

• If you can’t move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt on (if it’s safe), and turn hazards on

If you must exit the vehicle:

• Step out on the side away from traffic if possible

• Stand at a safe distance behind a barrier or on the roadside away from passing cars

Step 3: Call 911 (or Local Police) When Needed

When should you call the police? In general, call if:

• Anyone is injured

• Vehicles are blocking traffic

• There’s significant property damage

• A driver may be impaired

• There’s disagreement about what happened

• You suspect the other driver is uninsured

A police report can be incredibly helpful for documenting the incident and preventing confusion later.

Step 4: Do a Quick Scene Assessment

Once you’re safe and help is on the way (if needed), scan the scene:

• Are there leaking fluids?

• Is there smoke, steam, or fire?

• Are there downed power lines?

• Is the vehicle stable, or is it in a dangerous position?

If you notice anything that feels unsafe, keep your distance. A damaged car can be unpredictable—especially if the front end is crushed, airbags deployed, or fluids are leaking.

Step 5: Exchange Information (Without Oversharing)

You should exchange basic information with the other driver(s), including:

• Full name and phone number

• Driver’s license number

• Insurance company and policy number

• License plate number

• Vehicle make/model/color

What you should not do:

• Don’t argue about fault

• Don’t apologize in a way that sounds like an admission

• Don’t speculate about injuries or damage

• Don’t sign anything from the other driver besides basic info exchange

Stay polite and focused. Save the details for the report and your insurer.

Step 6: Document Everything (Photos, Video, Notes)

This is one of the most important steps—and it’s often skipped because people are shaken up.

Use your phone to capture:

• Damage to all vehicles (close and wide shots)

• The position of vehicles before they’re moved (if safe)

• Skid marks, debris, road conditions

• Traffic signs, intersections, and nearby landmarks

• Weather conditions (rain, snow, fog, glare)

• Any visible injuries (if appropriate and respectful)

Also make quick notes:

• Time and location

• Speed (approximate)

• What you saw, heard, and felt

• Any statements made by the other driver (keep it factual)

Statistic: In the U.S., there are over 6 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes each year, meaning accidents are common—but the steps you take afterward still matter every single time.

Step 7: Talk to Witnesses (If Any)

If someone saw what happened, ask for:

• Name

• Phone number

• A brief summary of what they observed

Witness details can be valuable if the stories don’t match later.

Step 8: Decide If the Car Is Safe to Drive

This is the moment where many drivers make a costly mistake: they try to “just get it home” even though the vehicle isn’t safe.

Your car may need a tow if you notice:

• Airbags deployed

• Steering feels off or the wheel won’t stay straight

• Brakes feel spongy or unresponsive

• Fluid leaking underneath

• Engine overheating or warning lights flashing

• A tire is damaged or the wheel is bent

• The car won’t start, won’t shift, or makes loud grinding noises

• The bumper is rubbing against a tire

• The vehicle was hit hard enough to damage the frame

Even if the car moves, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Driving a compromised vehicle can lead to a second accident, worsen damage, or create liability if parts fail on the road.

Step 9: When to Call a Tow (And Why It’s Often the Smartest Move)

If you’re asking yourself, “Do I really need a tow?”—here’s a simple rule we share from years of roadside experience:

If there’s any doubt about safety, call a tow.

Call a tow immediately if:

• The car is disabled or won’t start

• It’s not safe to drive due to mechanical issues or damage

• It’s stuck in a ditch, median, snow, mud, or off-road area

• It’s blocking traffic and needs to be cleared quickly

• The accident caused significant impact, even if the car seems okay

• You smell fuel or see leaking fluids

A professional tow protects:

• You (no risky driving)

• Your vehicle (less chance of additional damage)

• Other drivers (less hazard on the roadway)

At Darrah’s Towing, we respond with the mindset that safety comes first. We don’t just hook and haul—we pay attention to the vehicle condition, the scene, and what’s safest for you next.

Step 10: Notify Your Insurance Company (After You’re Safe)

Once you’re in a safe place (and the vehicle is secure), contact your insurer. Provide:

• Photos

• Police report number (if applicable)

• Other driver’s information

• Witness information

Stick to facts. Don’t guess on speed, distance, or blame. Just explain what occurred as clearly as possible.

Step 11: Get Checked Out Medically (Even If You Feel “Fine”)

Many accident-related injuries develop over time:

• Whiplash

• Concussions

• Soft tissue injuries

• Back or shoulder strain

If you feel pain later, don’t ignore it. Getting checked can protect your health and ensure issues are documented properly.

Step 12: What to Keep in Your Car for Next Time

Accidents aren’t planned, but preparedness reduces stress. Consider keeping:

• Phone charger

• Flashlight

• Reflective triangles or flares

• Blanket and gloves (especially in winter)

• Small first-aid kit

• Pen and paper

• A card with key numbers (insurance, emergency contact, towing)

And of course, keep a towing company you trust saved in your phone.

A Real Testimony From the Road

Here’s what one driver told us after we helped them following an accident:

“I was shaken up and didn’t know what to do after the crash. Darrah’s Towing showed up quickly, made sure I was safe, and handled my car with care. They explained what was happening, helped me stay calm, and took a stressful night and made it manageable. I’d recommend them to anyone.”

That’s the standard we aim for on every call—clear communication, respectful service, and experienced help when you need it most.

Why Darrah’s Towing: Experience You Can Rely On

When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a crash, you don’t just need a truck—you need a team that knows what they’re doing, shows up prepared, and treats you like a person, not a transaction.

Darrah’s Towing has been a leader in towing for years because we focus on the things that matter most:

• Safe recovery and secure transport

• Professional handling of damaged vehicles

• Calm, clear communication in stressful situations

• A commitment to doing the job the right way

If you or someone you love has just been in an accident, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Need a Tow or Help After an Accident?

If you need a tow right after a car accident—or you’re not sure whether your vehicle is safe to drive—reach out to Darrah’s Towing for help.

For a free quote please reach out to us at https://www.darrahstowing.com/