Car Insurance Guide

What to do after a car accident: a step-by-step checklist

Written by Chloe Adams Managing Editor Reviewed by Nomsa Dlamini RE5 qualified · 12 years in short-term insurance Updated 28 July 2026 Our editorial standards →

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

Stop, check for injuries and make the scene safe. Do not admit fault. Exchange details with the other driver and note the vehicles, damage and any witnesses. Photograph everything you can. If anyone is injured or you did not exchange particulars at the scene, report the accident to the SAPS and get a case number, generally within 24 hours. Then notify your insurer as soon as possible to start your claim. Staying calm and gathering evidence protects you.

Key takeaways

  • Stop, switch on hazards and check everyone for injuries first.
  • Never admit fault at the scene - liability is decided later.
  • Exchange driver, vehicle and insurance details with everyone involved.
  • Photograph the vehicles, damage, road and positions before cars are moved.
  • Report to the SAPS and get a case number, generally within 24 hours.
  • Notify your insurer promptly to speed up your claim.

Step 1: Stop and make the scene safe

By law you must stop after any accident - driving off can be a criminal offence. Switch on your hazard lights, and if the cars are drivable and blocking traffic, move them to the side once you have noted their positions (a quick photo first helps). Set up a warning triangle if you have one, and keep yourself and passengers away from moving traffic. On a busy road or highway, standing in the lane is more dangerous than the crash itself, so get everyone to a safe spot behind the barrier before doing anything else. Only once the scene is safe should you move on to the next steps.

Step 2: Check for injuries and call for help

Check yourself, your passengers and the other vehicle's occupants for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call emergency services immediately - 10111 for the police or 112 from a mobile - and request an ambulance if needed. Do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless they are in immediate danger, as this can worsen an injury. If it is a minor bump with no injuries, you can proceed to exchanging details. Where there are injuries or a fatality, the police must attend, and the incident must be reported. Keep calm, keep others calm, and prioritise people over property.

Step 3: Exchange details and do not admit fault

Swap the following with every driver involved:

Be polite but do not admit fault or apologise in a way that accepts blame, even if you think you were responsible. Liability is decided later by the insurers based on evidence, and an admission at the scene can complicate your claim. Stick to exchanging facts.

Step 4: Gather evidence at the scene

Good evidence is what protects you if there is a dispute later. Use your phone to photograph everything: the damage to each vehicle, the wider scene, the road markings, skid marks, traffic signals, number plates and the final resting positions of the cars. Note the date, time, weather and exact location. If there are independent witnesses, ask for their names and contact numbers - a neutral account carries real weight. Look for nearby CCTV or dashcam footage too. The more you capture now, while everything is fresh and untouched, the stronger your position when your insurer assesses who was at fault.

Step 5: Report to the SAPS and get a case number

You must report the accident to the South African Police Service if anyone was injured or killed, or if you did not exchange particulars with the other party at the scene. Report at your nearest police station and ask for a case (or accident report) number - generally within 24 hours of the incident. That number is not just a legal step; most insurers require it before they will process a claim involving theft, injury or a third party. Keep the number safe, along with the station name and the officer's details, so you can quote it when you lodge your claim.

Step 6: Notify your insurer and lodge your claim

Contact your insurer as soon as possible - many policies expect prompt notification, and delays can complicate a claim. Provide the case number, your photos, the other driver's details and a clear account of what happened. The insurer will guide you on assessment and, if needed, approved repairers. Do not agree repairs or payments with the other party privately before speaking to your insurer, as this can affect cover. When you are choosing or reviewing a policy, it also pays to compare quotes so you know exactly how your claims process works before you ever need it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to report a car accident to the police?
You must report to the SAPS if anyone is injured or killed, or if you did not exchange particulars with the other driver at the scene. Report at a police station and get a case number, generally within 24 hours. Most insurers also require that number before processing a third-party, theft or injury claim.
How long do I have to report an accident in South Africa?
As a rule, report to the SAPS within 24 hours if you did not give your details at the scene, or as soon as reasonably possible. Getting a case number early protects your legal position and satisfies your insurer, which usually needs the number before settling a claim involving injuries or a third party.
Should I admit fault after an accident?
No. Even if you believe you were responsible, do not admit fault or apologise in a way that accepts blame at the scene. Liability is determined afterwards by the insurers using the evidence. An admission can complicate your claim. Exchange factual details, gather photos and witness information, and let the process decide who pays.
What if the other driver drives off?
In a hit-and-run, note as much as you can - the registration, make, colour and direction of travel - and photograph the scene and your damage. Report it to the SAPS promptly and get a case number. Then notify your insurer; comprehensive cover can still respond, though an unidentified driver makes recovering your excess harder.
Do I need a case number to claim?
Usually, yes, for claims involving theft, injury or a third party. The case number confirms the incident was reported and helps your insurer verify what happened. Get it from the SAPS when you report the accident, ideally within 24 hours, and keep it with the station name and officer details for your claim.

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