What Happens After an Accident?

First: people before property

Stop, check for injuries, and call 911 when anyone may be hurt or the scene is dangerous. Move to a safer location if you can do so safely and emergency instructions allow it.

Turn on hazard lights and stay aware of traffic. A damaged car can be replaced. A second collision at the scene can make everything worse.

Exchange the basics

Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver license number, license plate, insurance company, and policy information. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information.

Share your required information, but avoid debating responsibility at the roadside. Describe facts to police and insurers. Let the investigation sort out fault.

Use your phone as a notebook

Photograph the position of the vehicles, damage to every vehicle, license plates, the roadway, traffic signs, skid marks, debris, and the wider scene. Take more photos than you think you need.

Write down the time, location, direction of travel, weather, and what you remember while it is fresh. If you later notice pain or additional damage, document that too.

• Wide photos of the whole scene.
• Close photos of each damaged area.
• Other vehicle plates and insurance card.
• Witness contact information.
• Police agency and report number, if one is created.

Notify your insurer promptly

Most policies require prompt notice. Call the insurer or agent as soon as practical, even when another driver appears responsible. Explain what happened, provide the available documentation, and ask what the next steps are.

The company may assign an adjuster, inspect the vehicle, discuss repair options, explain the deductible, and address rental coverage if it applies.

Know Oregon’s 72-hour reporting rule

Oregon DMV requires a Traffic Collision and Insurance Report within 72 hours when anyone is injured or killed, damage to the vehicle you were driving is over $2,500, damage to any one person’s non-vehicle property is over $2,500, or any vehicle has more than $2,500 of damage and any vehicle is towed because of the damage.

A police report does not replace the driver’s DMV report when the DMV reporting rule applies. If you are uncertain whether the damage crosses the threshold, review the current DMV instructions.

What the adjuster does

The adjuster reviews coverage, damage, statements, photos, police information, and other evidence. They may determine whether repairs are practical or whether the vehicle is a total loss.

Ask for explanations in writing when something is unclear. Keep claim numbers, estimates, receipts, emails, and a log of important calls in one place.

Repairs, deductibles, and reimbursement

If you use your own collision coverage, your deductible may be subtracted from the payment even when another driver appears responsible. Your insurer may later pursue the responsible party. If it recovers money, some or all of the deductible may be returned, depending on the recovery and circumstances.

You generally have repair-shop rights, but claim procedures and guarantees can vary. Ask who guarantees the repair and whether any parts or labor differences could become your responsibility.

Before closing the file

Make sure you understand the repair, total-loss valuation, rental end date, deductible, injury claim process, and any documents you are being asked to sign.

Claims are stressful because there are many decisions at once. Slow the conversation down and ask for plain-English answers.