What to Do After a Car Accident in PA

A car accident is stressful, disorienting, and sometimes frightening. In the moments after a collision, it can be hard to think clearly about what you need to do. This checklist will help you stay organized, protect your legal rights, and ensure you have everything you need to file a successful insurance claim. Print this page or save it to your phone so you have it ready if you ever need it.

Step 1: Ensure Safety First

Your immediate priority is the safety of everyone involved. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately and do not attempt to move injured persons unless they are in immediate danger, such as from fire or oncoming traffic. If all vehicles are drivable and no one is seriously injured, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to clear the roadway and reduce the risk of secondary collisions. Turn on your hazard lights right away to alert other drivers. If the accident occurred at night or in low visibility conditions, set out flares or reflective triangles if you have them.

Step 2: Call the Police

Pennsylvania law requires drivers to report any accident that involves injury, death, or vehicle damage severe enough to prevent safe operation. Even for minor fender benders where everyone seems fine, filing a police report creates an official record that your insurance company will need. Call 911 or the local police department's non-emergency line. When the officer arrives, provide factual information about what happened but avoid speculating about fault, apologizing, or making assumptions about the other driver's actions. Ask the officer for the report number and the department where you can obtain a copy.

Step 3: Exchange Information with All Parties

Exchange the following information with every other driver involved in the accident:

• Full name and phone number
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Driver's license number and state of issue
• License plate number
• Vehicle year, make, model, and color

If there are witnesses, politely ask for their names and phone numbers as well. Witness statements can be valuable if there is a dispute about fault later. Be polite and cooperative, but do not discuss fault or liability with the other driver, witnesses, or bystanders.

Step 4: Document Everything

Use your smartphone to photograph all damage to every vehicle involved, from multiple angles. Take wide shots that show the full vehicle and close-ups that capture specific dents, scratches, cracked glass, and deployed airbags. Also photograph the overall accident scene, including the intersection or roadway, traffic signals and signs, road surface conditions, skid marks, debris, and any relevant landmarks. Write down or record a voice memo noting the time, date, exact location, weather conditions, lighting, and your recollection of what happened while it is fresh in your mind.

Step 5: Seek Medical Attention

See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine immediately after the accident. Many common accident injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue damage, and concussions, may not show symptoms for hours or even days. A medical evaluation creates documentation that directly supports your insurance claim and establishes a link between the accident and any injuries. Follow your doctor's treatment recommendations and keep records of all medical visits, prescriptions, and expenses.

Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you reasonably can, ideally within 24 hours. Most policies require prompt notification, and delays can complicate your claim. Provide your policy number, the date and location of the accident, the police report number, and the other driver's insurance information. Be honest and factual in your account. Your insurance company will assign a claim number and an adjuster to your case. Write down both for your records.

Step 7: Choose Your Repair Shop

Under Pennsylvania law, you have the right to choose any repair shop you want. Your insurance company may suggest or recommend a shop in their network, but they cannot require you to use it. Choosing an experienced, certified collision repair center like Bob Weaver Collision ensures your vehicle is repaired to manufacturer standards using proper techniques and quality parts. We work directly with your insurance company to handle estimates, approvals, and supplements so you do not have to manage the back-and-forth yourself. Get your free estimate online or call us at (800) 299-0448 to schedule an in-person assessment.

Step 8: Keep Detailed Records

From the moment the accident occurs, start a file (physical or digital) containing every document related to the incident. This should include your police report, insurance correspondence, repair estimates and invoices, medical bills and records, rental car receipts, towing receipts, photos, and any communication with the other driver's insurance company. Organized records make the claims process smoother and ensure you are properly reimbursed for all accident-related expenses. Keep this file for at least three years, as Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years, and property damage claims can take time to fully resolve.