Knowing what to do after a car accident makes an already stressful moment much easier to handle. The Australian Government has made real progress on road safety over the years, from lower speed limits to heavier penalties — but despite that, crashes still cost the Australian economy billions of dollars a year.
The truth is, no matter how safe a driver you are, all it takes is one second of inattention, bad weather, or another distracted driver to cause a crash. Regardless of how it happens, here’s exactly what to do.
What to Do After a Car Accident: Step by Step
1. At the Scene of the Accident
By law, all drivers involved must stop immediately. If you’re somewhere busy, like a freeway or residential road, move your vehicle to the side if it’s safe to do so — but take photos of the scene first, before anything is moved, for insurance purposes.
If you can’t move the vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and only exit when it’s safe. Call the police to have a report made, or call an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured.
2. Exchange Information
Collect as much information as possible while you wait for police to arrive. Exchange the following with the other party:
- Name and address of the driver
- Car registration details
- Driver licence details
- Insurance details
Also note the date, time, weather conditions and any other details that might help your claim. Photos of the scene and surrounding area help too.
3. Call Your Insurer
Contact your insurance company next. They’ll walk you through filing a claim and will need the other driver’s insurance details too, along with any additional details about how the accident happened.
4. If You’re in a Rental Car
Still contact the police immediately to complete an accident report, then call the rental company directly for further instructions. At Ace Rent A Car, excess reduction is available at a small cost on all rentals — it provides peace of mind and greatly reduces your financial liability if the worst happens.
What to Do After a Car Accident FAQs
Do I have to report every car accident to police in WA?
Only in certain cases. Western Australia requires you to report a crash if anyone is injured, or if property damage exceeds $3,000, or if the property owner isn’t present. See the WA Government’s official crash reporting page for the exact requirements and how to report online.
What if the other driver won’t share their details?
Refusing to provide name, address or vehicle details to police or an injured party is an offence in WA. Note down as much as you can (registration, vehicle description, location) and report it to police.
Do I need to call police for a minor fender bender?
Not always — if there’s no injury and damage is under $3,000, you may not be legally required to. It’s still worth exchanging details and documenting the scene in case a dispute comes up later.
What happens if I’m in an accident in a rental car?
Contact police first to make a report, then call your rental company directly. If you’ve added excess reduction to your booking, your financial liability for the damage is significantly reduced.
If you have any further questions about what to do after a car accident in a rental vehicle, our team is here to help. Contact us today to ask about our vehicle rentals and learn more about reducing your damage liability.