If you’ve never been in a car crash, lucky you! If you have, you’ll know that it can be stressful and hard to think clearly about what to do. Here is a simple rundown on what to do following a car accident while you’re still at the scene.

Our Accident Guide has been developed, taking best practice State Government Authority guides into account. Click on any of the state links to find the relevant State Government authority:

Quick Checklist

Here are the key steps to follow immediately after a car accident in Australia:

Stop and, if possible, move to a safe location.
Check for injuries.
Call 000 if anyone is injured or unsafe.
Exchange details with the other driver(s).
Collect evidence and witness details.
Arrange towing if the vehicle is undriveable.

If the accident wasn't your fault and the driver who caused it is insured, you may be eligible for an accident loan vehicle from Right2Drive at no cost to you, while your vehicle is off the road. Click here to apply or call 1300 100 121

Information to Collect

Circumstances: Agree on what happened and who caused the accident.
Other Driver: Full name, Driver Licence (take photo), mobile number, email, residential address.
Other Driver's Vehicle: Car registration (take photo), make, model and colour, insurance provider name and policy number.
Photographs & Videos: Video/dashcam accident footage, both vehicles, accident location, weather or road conditions.
Witnesses: Statement (if possible).

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Stop and Be Safe

Tip: You are legally required to stop, assist injured persons, and provide your details to all other involved parties.

Step 2: Check for Injuries

If anyone is injured, call 000 immediately and request an Ambulance.

When Do You Need to Call Police After a Car Accident?

Not every car accident needs to be reported to police, but there are several situations where you must call 000 and request Police attendance:

Someone is injured, in danger, or intoxicated.
A vehicle requires towing.
There is damage to unattended property (e.g. a parked car or fence).
A driver fails to provide their details.

Reporting requirements vary slightly by state — see the state-by-state summary further down this page.

Step 3: Gather Accident Details

Circumstances: Discuss how the accident happened and agree (if you can) on who caused it.
Photograph Vehicles: Take photos of the other driver's rego number plate, both vehicles in full, and the accident location (including road signs and traffic lights).
Video Evidence: Capture any video evidence and dashcam footage if available.
Witness Statement: If witnesses saw the accident, ask them for a statement of what happened along with their full name, phone number, email and address.

Tips: 1. Note and photograph any weather, road conditions or skid marks (helpful for establishing fault). 2. Record your conversation about the accident only if permitted under your state's recording laws.

Step 4: Gather the Other Driver’s Details

Swap information with the other driver(s) from a safe place away from traffic.

Full Name & Driver Licence: Collect their full name, residential address and driver licence details.
Contact Details: Mobile number (consider calling to confirm it is correct) and preferably an email address.
Vehicle & Insurance Info: Their car registration, insurance provider name and policy number, plus make, model and colour.

Tip: It may be easier to take a photo of their licence (front and back). If there are any driving conditions listed (e.g. must wear glasses), note whether the driver is complying.

Step 5: Towing Your Vehicle

If your vehicle is undriveable or unroadworthy, you will need to arrange a towing service. Be mindful of towing distance, as costs can vary considerably. There are a few ways a vehicle tow can be organised. Click here for our guide on organising vehicle towing.

Step 6: Getting Your Replacement Vehicle

Work out how you’re going to get to a safe and convenient location. You may phone family or a friend or order an Uber or a Taxi.

If the accident was caused by another insured driver, you are most likely eligible for an accident replacement vehicle from Right2Drive. There will be no cost to you as the hire costs are covered by the other driver’s insurer. You’d have access to a vehicle suitable to your needs for as long as your vehicle is being repaired, or until it is declared a write-off and you receive payment.

Click here or call 1300 100 121 to apply for an accident replacement vehicle while your vehicle is off the road, at no cost to you.

If your vehicle needs to be towed, phone Right2Drive on 1300 100 121 before the vehicle is towed. The tow truck driver may offer to do this for you, which is also fine. You may be able to get a lift with the tow truck driver to where your vehicle is being towed. Right2Drive may be able to deliver your replacement vehicle there for you, or possibly to the accident scene.

If you caused the accident or the driver who caused it isn’t insured, arrange your own car hire, which you’ll need to pay for. East Coast Car Rentals has some great deals.

Car Accident Reporting Rules by State

Reporting requirements, recording-consent laws and towing regulations differ across Australia. The summary below shares links to the relevant State Govt authority and highlights the key differences — always check your relevant State Govt authority for the latest rules.

State / Territory	Police Reporting	Recording Consent	Towing Notes
NSW NSW Government	Police must be called for injury, hit-and-run, intoxication, or refusal to exchange details. NSW Police	One-party consent — you may record your own conversation. NSW Government Surveillance Devices Act 2007 NSW	Use Transport NSW approved tow operators where possible.
VIC Transport Victoria	Report to police if anyone is injured or details aren't exchanged. Victoria Police	All-party consent generally required. VIC Surveillance Devices Act 1999	Accident towing is regulated by Transport Victoria; ask for the authorised tow form.
QLD Queensland Government	Report if there is injury, significant damage, or another driver fails to provide details. Queensland Police	One-party consent. QLD Invasion of Privacy Act 1971	Tow operators must be licensed by Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads; you choose where the vehicle is taken.
SA South Australia Government	Report to police if anyone is injured or property damage exceeds the SAPOL threshold. South Australia Police	All-party consent generally required. SA Surveillance Devices Act 2016	Confirm towing distance and storage fees up front. Check SA Motor Accident & Commission (MAC) for more detail.
TAS Service Tasmania – Tasmanian Government	Report if there is injury, damage above the threshold, or a driver fails to exchange details. Tasmania Police	All-party consent generally required. Listening Devices Act 1991 (Tas)	Choose your own repairer and tow destination. Click Transport Services Tasmania for more detail.
WA Government of Western Australia	Report online or to police if damage exceeds $3,000 or anyone is injured. Government of Western Australia	All-party consent generally required. WA Surveillance Devices Act 1998	Tow operators must provide a written quote on request. For more detail, visit the Government of Western Australia Department of Transport & Major Infrastructure.
NT Northern Territory Police Fire & Emergency Services	Report to police if anyone is injured or details aren't exchanged. Northern Territory Police Fire & Emergency Services	One-party consent. NT Surveillance Devices Act 2007	Limited tow operator coverage outside major centres so call as soon as possible.

This table is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify the current rules with your State Govt authority.

Be Prepared Before an Accident

Now that we've walked through a step-by-step guide to a vehicle accident, here is how you can proactively be prepared.

Always carry your driver licence when driving (physical or digital).
Ensure your phone has battery when driving (carry a working charging cable) and the screen is legible.
Download a reliable map app such as Google Maps | Apple Maps | Waze
If you have comprehensive insurance, print a copy and keep it in your glove box. Know what your policy covers for accidents and towing.
If you have Roadside Assistance, keep your membership card handy or printed details in your vehicle. Understand what your membership covers for an accident tow.
Save Right2Drive's number: 1300 100 121 or Download our Accident Guide Contact V-Card to save to your smart phone. It includes our contact details, a quick check list, a list of details for you to gather at the accident scene, and a hyperlink to this detailed Accident Guide.

Please note: you’ll need to save it as a contact on your device to view all information and details. vCards are most user-friendly on a mobile phone. For the best experience, we recommend opening this link on your device.

Download my contact card

What to Do Post Accident

Here's a quick overview of what to do after you've left the accident.

Report the accident online.
Decide how to claim — depending on who caused the accident.
Notify your insurer (if you have comprehensive insurance).
Pay the vehicle $ excess (or receive confirmation that the insurer will waive the excess).
Get your vehicle assessed.
Repair or Write-off confirmation & next steps.
Book an accident replacement hire car for while your car is off the road.
Recover against the At-Fault driver (if it wasn't your fault).
Track the claim.

Click here for a more detailed step-by-step guideline on how to go about this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions Australian drivers ask most often after a car accident.

Am I legally required to stop after a car accident?

Yes. In every Australian state and territory, drivers involved in a car accident are legally required to stop, assist anyone who is injured, and exchange their details with all other parties involved. Failing to stop is a serious offence and may be treated as a hit-and-run.

What details should I exchange after a car accident?

At a minimum, exchange your full name, residential address, mobile number, driver licence details, vehicle registration, and the name of your insurer along with your policy number. Taking a photo of the other driver’s licence (front and back) and number plate is the fastest way to make sure you have everything correct.

Do I need to report a minor car accident to police?

Not always. Police usually only need to be called if someone is injured, a driver is intoxicated or unsafe, a vehicle needs to be towed, unattended property has been damaged, or another driver refuses to provide their details. Reporting thresholds vary by state — check the table above or your State Govt authority for the rules where the accident happened.

When do I need to call police after a car accident?

Call 000 and request police if anyone is injured, in danger, or intoxicated, if a vehicle needs to be towed, if unattended property has been damaged (such as a parked car or fence), or if any driver refuses to share their details. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to call than not.

Can I get a free replacement car if the accident wasn’t my fault?

If the at-fault driver is insured, you may be eligible for an accident replacement vehicle from Right2Drive at no cost to you. The hire costs are recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurer, and you keep the replacement vehicle for as long as your car is being repaired or until it is declared a write-off. Call 1300 100 121 or apply online to check eligibility.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If the other driver is uninsured, getting your repairs paid for becomes harder. Here’s how to approach it.

Collect their details thoroughly — full name, address, date of birth, licence number, rego and a working mobile (call it on the spot to confirm), plus a photo of the front and back of their licence.
If they refuse to provide details, call 000 — driving without CTP cover is an offence everywhere in Australia, and a police record strengthens your position later.
From there, your recovery options depend on your own cover:

Comprehensive insurance lets you claim through your insurer (you'll usually pay the excess up front and they may recover it for you)
Third party property policies often include an uninsured motorist extension up to a set limit, and if you're uninsured yourself you can pursue the at-fault driver directly via a Letter of Demand or small claims tribunal.

A replacement vehicle through Right2Drive's standard no-cost service generally isn't available when the at-fault driver is uninsured, but it's still worth calling 1300 100 121 to talk through your options.

Click here for a more detailed guide.

What should I do if the other driver drives off after the accident?

Don’t chase the vehicle. Stay at the scene and immediately note the registration number, make, model, colour and direction of travel. Look for witnesses and nearby CCTV, take photos of any damage or debris, and report the hit-and-run to police as soon as possible. You’ll need a police event number for any insurance claim. Check the table above for how to report in the state you live in.

Click here for more detail about what to do.

What should I avoid saying at the scene of a car accident?

Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about who was at fault or apologising in a way that sounds like an admission of fault. Don’t agree to settle privately, don’t share extra details about your insurance policy beyond your insurer’s name and policy number, and don’t sign anything you haven’t read carefully. Establishing fault is your insurer’s job, not yours.

You can download our full guide here: R2D093 Accident Guide AU_v3.pdf

Vehicle Accident Guide: What to Do After a Car Accident in Australia

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