Calculators & guides
What to Do After a Car Accident: Step by Step
By Sipho Dlamini · 5 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
- First
- Safety and injuries before paperwork
- Report to SAPS
- Within 24 hours if injury or major damage
- Then
- Lodge the claim within the policy window
Straight after a car accident, make the scene safe, check for injuries, swap details with the other driver, photograph everything, and report to the SAPS within 24 hours if there is injury or significant damage - then lodge your insurance claim within your policy's window. Doing these in order protects both your safety and your claim.
It is easy to forget steps when you are shaken, so keep this sequence handy. Never admit fault at the scene and never drive off from a crash involving injury or another vehicle.
This guide is the quick version; pair it with our detailed scene checklist.
Step 1: make the scene safe
- Switch on hazards, set out a warning triangle if you have one.
- Check everyone for injuries; call 10111 or 112 for emergencies.
- Do not move seriously injured people unless there is fire or danger.
- If the cars are drivable and it is safe, move them aside - but photograph their positions first.
Step 2: swap details and gather evidence
Exchange and record:
- Names, ID numbers, cell numbers and addresses.
- Vehicle makes, models, colours and registration numbers.
- Insurer and policy details.
- Witness names and numbers.
Then photograph the scene, the damage on every car, the number plates, road markings and any skid marks. See our accident scene checklist for the full template.
Step 3: do not admit fault
Stay factual and never say the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. Fault is decided later from evidence by your insurer and, if needed, the law. An admission at the scene can prejudice your claim even when the full picture shows shared blame.
Step 4: report to the SAPS
Report to the SAPS within 24 hours if anyone is injured or killed, or where there is significant damage or another vehicle involved. Get the case or AR number, and note the officer and station. You will need this number for your insurance claim.
Step 5: lodge your insurance claim
- Phone your insurer or use the app within the policy's window (often 24 to 48 hours).
- Give the SAPS case number, your photos and the other party's details.
- Do not authorise repairs before the assessor inspects the car.
- Keep all correspondence and your claim number together. See our claim letter template if you want it in writing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Make the scene safe, check for injuries and call for help, then swap details with the other driver and photograph everything. Report to the SAPS within 24 hours if there is injury or major damage, and lodge your insurance claim within the policy window.
Do I have to report a car accident to the police?
You must report to the SAPS within 24 hours if anyone is injured or killed, or where there is significant damage or another vehicle or property involved. Get a case or AR number, which your insurer will require for the claim.
Should I admit fault at the scene?
No. Stay factual and never say it was your fault. Fault is decided later from evidence by your insurer and, if needed, the law. Admitting blame at the scene can harm your claim even when the full facts show shared responsibility.
What if the other driver drives off?
Report the hit-and-run to the SAPS and get a case number. Note any partial plate, the vehicle description and direction of travel, and look for witnesses or CCTV. Comprehensive cover usually still pays, sometimes with a higher excess for an unidentified third party.
How soon must I tell my insurer?
Most policies require you to notify a claim within 24 to 48 hours, even before all your documents are ready. Lodge first, then send supporting documents. Late notification is a common reason claims are rejected.
Can I move my car after an accident?
If the vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic or in danger, photograph their exact positions first, then move them to safety. If anyone is seriously injured, leave everything as it is and wait for emergency services unless there is fire or further danger.
What evidence should I collect at the scene?
Photos of the whole scene from a few angles, close-ups of all damage, the other car's plate and licence disc, the other driver's details, witness contacts, and road markings or skid marks. The SAPS case number completes the picture.
