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A car accident can take you from a normal day to a state of overwhelm in seconds, even when nobody’s seriously hurt. What you do in the minutes, days, and months afterwards can affect your health, your insurance and whether you’re entitled to compensation.
This year has actually been safer than most on Victorian roads. 163 lives had been lost by 1 September 2026, down 17.3% on the same time in 2025. But for every fatality, there are hundreds of car accidents across Australia that leave people shaken, injured and unsure what to do next. Here’s exactly what to do immediately after a car accident, from the first phone call through to lodging your claim.
Quick Answer
- Stop the car, switch on your hazards, and check everyone for injuries. Call 000 if anyone’s hurt or the road is blocked.
- Exchange names, contact details, licence numbers, registration and insurance details with everyone involved, plus any witnesses.
- Photograph the scene (vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, road conditions) before anything is moved or cleared away.
- Report the accident to police if anyone’s injured or the other vehicle’s owner isn’t present, as Victorian law requires.
- See a doctor even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for days.
- Lodge a TAC claim within 12 months, and keep your account of what happened short, factual and consistent from the outset.
Stop the Car and Check For Injuries
Under section 61 of the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic), a driver involved in an accident must stop immediately and render whatever assistance they can (AustLII, s61). This isn’t optional. Failing to stop is a serious offence, regardless of how minor the collision seems.
If it’s safe to do so, move vehicles clear of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and everyone else involved for injuries, and call triple zero (000) straight away if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
Adrenaline can mask pain in the first few minutes, so don’t assume you’re uninjured just because nothing hurts yet.
Exchange Details With Everyone Involved
Victorian law requires drivers to provide their name, address, and the name, address, and registration details of the vehicle’s owner to anyone who was injured or whose property was damaged (AustLII, s61). It’s worth collecting a bit more than the legal minimum:
- Full names, phone numbers and addresses of every driver
- Driver’s licence numbers and vehicle registration plates
- Insurance company names and policy numbers
- Contact details for any independent witnesses
Witnesses are often the first people to leave the scene, so grab their details early rather than hoping you’ll track them down later.
Document the Scene Before it Changes
Once everyone’s safety is sorted, use your phone to photograph the accident scene from multiple angles. Capture the final position of both vehicles, the damage, any skid marks or debris, road signage and traffic signals, and the general road and weather conditions.
Jot down the date, time and exact location while it’s fresh in your mind. A nearby landmark, cross-street or kilometre marker can help later if the location becomes relevant to your claim. These small details are easy to forget within a few weeks, but can matter enormously if fault is ever disputed.
Report the Accident to Police
If anyone is injured or the owner of a damaged vehicle isn’t present at the scene, you’re required to report the accident to Victoria Police as soon as possible. This usually means attending or contacting your nearest police station.
Ask for a police report or event number. It becomes an important piece of evidence for your insurer and, in Victoria, for your TAC claim. If police attend the scene, get the attending officer’s name and station.
Get Checked By a Doctor, Even If You Feel Fine
Whiplash, concussion and soft tissue injuries frequently don’t announce themselves straight away. Some take hours or days to develop noticeable symptoms. See a GP or hospital as soon as you reasonably can, even for a collision that felt minor.
A medical record created close to the date of the accident does two things: It gets you appropriate treatment early, and it creates a clear, contemporaneous link between the crash and your injuries; something that becomes far harder to establish months down the track.
Lodge a TAC Claim Within 12 Months
Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) runs a no-fault scheme, meaning you can access statutory benefits such as medical treatment, income support and rehabilitation regardless of who caused the accident. You have 12 months from the date of the accident, or from when an injury first becomes evident, to lodge a claim.
You can lodge online, by phone on 1300 654 329, or through a hospital patient liaison officer if you’ve been admitted. Missing this window can put a straightforward claim at real risk, so don’t leave it until you’re feeling better. Lodge early and update the TAC as your recovery progresses.
Why What You Say Matters
When you first lodge your claim, the TAC is acting as a government agency helping you access no-fault benefits. It’s on your side, processing your treatment and support entitlements.
Later, if your case moves towards a common law claim for pain and suffering or lost earnings, the TAC’s role can shift. At that stage, it effectively steps into the shoes of a commercial insurer, defending the interests of the party you say was responsible. Everything you’ve said or written along the way can be used in that defence.
That’s exactly why it pays to keep your account of the accident short, factual and consistent from the very first thing you say at the scene through to your claim form and any statements afterwards. Long, elaborate explanations tend to create small inconsistencies between versions, and those inconsistencies can later be used to question your credibility or reduce what you’re entitled to. Stick to what you know happened, leave out speculation about who was at fault, and say the same thing every time you’re asked.
If your claim later proceeds to common law, the numbers involved can be significant. As at 1 July 2026, the maximum pain and suffering payout under Victoria’s scheme is $701,620, and the maximum for loss of earning capacity is $1,578,760. Getting your account straight from day one protects your access to that level of compensation.
When to Call a Compensation Lawyer
Most people don’t need a lawyer for a minor bingle with no injuries. But it’s worth getting advice early if:
- You’ve been hospitalised or need ongoing treatment
- You’ve missed work, or expect to
- The other driver disputes what happened, or wasn’t insured
- The TAC rejects, delays or limits your claim
- You’re unsure what you’re entitled to
Reputable compensation lawyers in Victoria act on a No Win No Fee basis, so there’s no upfront financial risk in finding out where you stand.
How Henry Carus + Associates can help
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is stressful enough without trying to work out claim deadlines, TAC paperwork and what you’re entitled to on your own. Our team has guided thousands of Victorians through the TAC process for years, from straightforward statutory claims to complex, disputed common-law cases.
We act on a No Win No Fee basis, so there’s no financial risk in finding out where you stand. If you’ve been injured in a road accident anywhere in Melbourne or wider Victoria, speak with our TAC accident lawyers today for an obligation-free assessment, or read more about how our personal injury lawyers can help with your claim.
Stop the car, make sure it’s safe, and check everyone for injuries. Call 000 immediately if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked before doing anything else.
Yes, if anyone is injured or the owner of a damaged vehicle isn’t present at the scene. You should report to your nearest police station as soon as possible.
Yes. Injuries like whiplash and concussion can take days to show symptoms, and a medical record close to the accident date helps link your injuries to the crash if you need to make a claim.
Twelve months from the date of the accident, or from when an injury first becomes evident. Lodging as early as possible protects your entitlements.
It can. The TAC later acts more like a commercial insurer, defending the at-fault party, so keep your account short, factual, and consistent, rather than speculating about blame.
As soon as possible if you’ve been hospitalised, are missing work, face a disputed or rejected claim, or you’re simply unsure of your entitlements. Most firms offer a free, obligation-free first conversation.
