What to photograph at the scene
Screenshot this. You won't be composing a list at the roadside.
After a collision, once everyone is safe, your phone is the most useful claims tool you have. The photos take two minutes and they can't be recreated afterwards.
This is deliberately short so it's usable in the moment.
The shots to take
- Wide shots from several angles showing both vehicles and their positions
- Close-ups of every area of damage, on every vehicle involved
- Both licence plates
- The other driver's insurance card and driver's licence
- The wider scene — signs, signals, lane markings, skid marks
- Road and weather conditions, including anything obscuring a sign
- Any visible injuries
The details worth writing down
Photos don't capture everything. Note the time, the exact location, and the direction each vehicle was travelling while it's fresh.
If police attend, get the report number. It's far easier to obtain at the scene than weeks later.
Witnesses leave quickly
If anyone stopped, ask for a name and phone number before they go. Independent witnesses carry real weight when two accounts of an accident disagree, and there's no way to find them afterwards.
What not to do
Don't debate fault at the roadside, and don't agree to settle privately before you know the extent of the damage or whether anyone is hurt. Injuries sometimes surface days later.
Report the incident to your insurer promptly even if you're unsure whether you'll claim.
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General information only. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what actually applies to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state. Quote My Policy LLC is a licensed insurance producer.