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Knowing what to do after a car accident can feel impossible in the moment. Shock sets in, adrenaline takes over, and even the clearest thinking person can freeze. But the steps you take in the minutes and hours after a crash can directly affect your safety, your legal rights, and your ability to make a successful compensation claim.

If you’re not sure what to do after an accident, here’s a simple step-by-step guide.

Must-Do Steps

Call 000 immediately if anyone is injured or the road is blocked.
You must stop, assist, and exchange details. Failing to do so is a criminal offence.
Collect as much evidence as you can at the scene: photos, witness details, police report numbers.
Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show up straight away.
In Victoria, lodge your TAC claim within 12 months of the accident or within 12 months of an injury first appearing.
If your injuries are serious or liability is disputed, speak with a compensation lawyer early.

Step 1: Stop and Check for Injuries

The moment a crash happens, stop your vehicle. Under Victorian road rules, driving away from the scene of an accident without stopping is a criminal offence, regardless of who was at fault.

Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 000 immediately for police and ambulance. If the accident is blocking traffic or there’s significant vehicle damage, police attendance is also required.

If it’s safe to do so, turn on your hazard lights and move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further collisions.

Step 2: Exchange Details at the Scene

You are legally required to exchange details with every other driver involved. This includes:

Full name and address
Phone number
Driver’s licence number
Vehicle registration
Insurance details

If the other driver refuses to provide their information, call the police straight away. Get the contact details of any witnesses as well. Independent accounts can be critical if fault is later disputed. For more on how fault is determined after a collision, read our article on who is at fault in a car accident.

Step 3: Document Everything You Can

This is one of the most important things you can do after a car crash, and it costs nothing. Use your phone to photograph or film:

All vehicles involved and their positions on the road
Visible damage to every vehicle
Tyre marks, debris, or road conditions
Street signs, intersections, or landmarks
Your own injuries (where relevant)

Write down the date, time, and exact location while the details are fresh. Memories fade quickly after trauma, but documented evidence doesn’t forget.

Step 4: Report the Accident to Police

In Victoria, you must report the accident to police if anyone was injured or if vehicle damage is estimated to exceed $3,000. If police don’t attend the scene, visit your nearest police station or report online through Victoria Police as soon as possible.

Keep your police report number. You’ll need it for insurance and any compensation claim.

Step 5: Seek Medical Attention (Even If You Feel Fine)

This step is frequently overlooked and often regretted. Many common injuries from car accidents, including whiplash, concussion, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries, don’t produce immediate symptoms. You may feel fine at the scene but wake up the next day in significant pain.

Seeing a doctor promptly does two things: it protects your health, and it creates a contemporaneous medical record that documents the connection between the accident and your injuries. This record is foundational to any compensation claim. Learn more about common injuries from car accidents and what to watch for in the days after a crash.

Keep all medical records, receipts, and referral letters from this point forward.

Step 6: Lodge a TAC Claim in Victoria

Victoria operates under a no-fault transport accident scheme administered by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). This means you can lodge a TAC claim and access support for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost income, even if you caused the accident.

The TAC is a Victorian Government-owned no-fault insurance scheme. If you are injured in a transport accident in Victoria, you can make a claim regardless of who was at fault.

You must make your TAC claim within 12 months of the accident or within 12 months of the injury first appearing. Don’t put it off. You can lodge online or by calling the TAC on 1300 654 329.

For a full breakdown of how to get started, read our guide on starting your transport accident claim.

What to Do After a Car Crash If You’re Seriously Injured

If your injuries are serious or if liability is unclear, acting on your own through the TAC process can leave money on the table. In the 12 months to the end of 2025, there were 3,613 hospitalised claims resulting from crashes in Melbourne alone, a 7% increase on the previous period. Many of those injured had entitlements they didn’t fully pursue.

A road accident compensation lawyer can help you understand whether you’re eligible for a common law damages claim in addition to your TAC benefits, covering pain and suffering, future loss of earnings, and long-term care needs. Our article on maximising your car accident compensation covers what’s available and how to get the cover you deserve..

When Should You Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

The sooner, the better, particularly if:

Your injuries required hospitalisation or ongoing treatment
You’ve had time off work or expect to in the future
The other driver disputes liability or was uninsured
The TAC has rejected or limited your claim
You’re unsure what you’re entitled to

Legal advice costs you nothing upfront with most compensation lawyers, who work on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Ready to Talk to Someone?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Victoria, the team at Henry Carus and Associates is here to help. Our car accident lawyers in Melbourne have years of experience helping injured Victorians get the compensation and support they deserve, without the stress of navigating the system alone.

Get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen, explain your options clearly, and be with you every step of the way.

The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. If you have been involved in a car accident, we recommend seeking personalised legal advice about your specific circumstances.