Major and Minor Car Accident Procedure in Victoria

You’ve just been hit from behind at the traffic lights. Your heart’s racing, you’re shaken, and you’re not sure what to do next. Whether it’s a minor fender-bender or a serious collision, knowing the correct minor car accident procedure in Victoria can protect your legal rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

With 253 lives lost on Victorian roads so far in 2025 and thousands more injured, understanding what to do after a car accident in Victoria isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Key Insights

• Stop immediately and check for injuries — never leave the scene
• Call 000 if anyone’s injured, vehicles are blocking traffic, or a driver refuses to exchange details
• Exchange details with other drivers: names, addresses, registration numbers, and insurance information
• Take photos of all damage, the accident scene, and get witness contact details
• Report to police within 24 hours if someone’s injured and police didn’t attend
• Lodge a TAC claim within 12 months for injury compensation (even for minor injuries that worsen)
• Seek legal advice early — injuries from minor accidents can develop into serious claims

What’s the Difference Between Minor and Major Car Accidents?

Before we cover what to do after a car accident in Victoria, it’s important to understand the distinction.

A minor car accident typically involves low-speed collisions with minimal vehicle damage. You might have some soft tissue discomfort, neck pain, or headaches, but you can usually drive away. These often happen in car parks, at roundabouts, or in stop-start traffic.

A major car accident typically involves higher speeds, significant vehicle damage, or serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. Multiple vehicles might be involved, and cars may be undriveable.

Here’s what matters: even minor accidents can cause injuries that may not become apparent for days or weeks. Whiplash, concussion, and soft tissue injuries often worsen over time. That’s why following the proper procedure matters for both types of accidents.

Minor Car Accident Procedure in Victoria: Step-by-Step

When you’re in a minor collision, your first instinct might be to just exchange numbers and leave. But if you skip crucial steps, you could jeopardise your right to compensation later.

1. Stop and Assess Safety

Pull over safely if you can. Turn on your hazard lights and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask pain. Don’t rush.

Check your dashboard warning lights. If they’re on after you’ve turned off the engine, don’t drive. Look for fluid leaks under your car, flat tyres, or damage near your wheels.

2. Exchange Details — It’s Legally Required

Under Victorian law, you must exchange:

• Full name and address
• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle owner’s name (if different from the driver)
• Insurance company and policy details
• Driver’s licence number

Take a photo of their licence and registration papers. Refusing to provide these details is a criminal offence in Victoria. If someone drives off without sharing information, note their registration and call the police immediately.

3. Document Everything

This is where many Victorians go wrong with the minor car accident procedure in Victoria. They skip proper documentation, then struggle to prove their claim later.

Take photos of:

• All vehicle damage from multiple angles
• The accident scene, including street signs and road markings
• Skid marks, debris, or relevant road conditions
• The other vehicle’s registration plate 

Obtain witness details if anyone witnessed the incident. Their independent account can be crucial if who’s at fault in a car accident becomes disputed.

4. When to Call Police

You’re not always required to call the police for a minor accident in Victoria, but you must report it if:

• Anyone is injured (call 000 first for an ambulance)
• A driver refuses to provide their details
• The other driver appears to be affected by drugs or alcohol
• There’s property damage and the owner isn’t present
• Your vehicle is blocking traffic and can’t be moved

Even if police don’t attend, you may need to report the accident to your local police station within 24 hours if someone’s injured and police weren’t called.

5. Notify Your Insurer

Contact your insurance company within 24-48 hours, even if you don’t plan to make a claim. If the other driver claims against you later, your insurer needs to know about the accident from you first.

6. See a Doctor — Even If You Feel Fine

This is critical. Many common injuries from car accidents, like whiplash, concussion, or nerve damage, don’t show symptoms immediately. You might feel stiff tomorrow or develop chronic pain weeks later.

Visiting a GP within 48 hours creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident. Without this, insurers and the TAC may question whether your injuries were really caused by the collision.

Major Car Accident Procedure: What Changes

When an accident is more serious, the steps are similar but more urgent.

Call 000 immediately if:

• Anyone is injured or trapped
• Vehicles can’t be moved safely
• There are hazards like fuel leaks or fallen power lines
• Multiple vehicles are involved

Follow the same exchange of details and documentation steps, but wait for the police to arrive before moving vehicles if possible. Police will prepare an official report, which becomes crucial evidence for insurance and legal claims.

For serious injuries, you’ll need to start your transport accident claim with the TAC as soon as you’re medically stable.

Understanding TAC Claims in Victoria

Victoria operates a no-fault transport accident compensation scheme through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). This means you can claim compensation for injuries sustained in a car accident on Victorian roads, regardless of who caused the accident.

TAC covers:

• Medical and hospital expenses
• Income support if you can’t work
• Rehabilitation and attendant care
• Travel to medical appointments
• Lump sum compensation for permanent impairment

You must lodge your TAC claim within 12 months of the accident. Missing this deadline can mean you lose your right to compensation entirely — even if your injuries are serious.

Why Legal Advice Matters for Minor Accidents

Here’s what many Victorians don’t realise: what starts as a minor car accident procedure in Victoria can quickly become a complex legal matter.

You might feel fine at the scene, accept liability to be polite, and drive home. But three weeks later, you’re seeing a physiotherapist twice a week for ongoing neck pain. You’ve missed work. Your GP has referred you for an MRI. Now you need compensation, but you’ve already admitted fault.

Our experienced car accident lawyers in Melbourne have seen this scenario hundreds of times. The proper steps you take in the first 24 hours often determine whether you receive full compensation months or years later.

We help accident victims:

• Understand their rights under Victorian law
• Navigate the TAC claims process from start to finish
• Gather the evidence needed to prove their claim
• Negotiate with insurers who try to minimise payouts
• Pursue lump sum compensation for permanent injuries

Most importantly, we make sure you don’t say or do anything at the accident scene that could hurt your claim later.

Taking The Next Steps

Following the correct minor car accident procedure in Victoria protects your health, your legal rights, and your future compensation. Even seemingly minor collisions can cause injuries that affect you for months or years.

Don’t wait until your injuries worsen to seek help. Contact Henry Carus + Associates to discuss your accident and understand your options. Our team provides expert guidance on maximising your car accident compensation and handles the legal complexity while you focus on recovery.