Auto Accident Checklist

If you are in an accident, particularly if someone is injured or there is a great deal of property damage, try to collect the following information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident:

  • Name and address
  • License plate number
  • Make, model, and year of car
  • Driver's license number
  • Make note if it appeared the driver had been drinking
  • Note and try to write down everything the other driver said
  • Names and addresses of passengers in other cars
  • Try to find people in the vicinity who may have seen the accident and ask for their name and phone number


Before moving any of the vehicle(s) involved in the accident, try to write down the following:

  • Position of your vehicle
  • Position of any other vehicles
  • Location of any tire marks, vehicle parts, glass, and other debris caused by the accident that's in the vicinity
  • Location of point of impact
  • Road conditions
  • Traffic conditions
  • Weather conditions
  • If you have a camera, take pictures of the site of the collisions, and the vehicles involved.... It would be extremely beneficial to you to carry a disposable camera with a flash in your car at all times, so that if you are in an accident you can accurately document the incident.


After you move your vehicle write down the following:

  • Date and time of accident
  • Location of accident
  • Speed of your car just before the accident
  • Direction of your car and other cars involved in the accident
  • If either car was turning
  • If the car turning had its turn signal on
  • Were headlights turned on in both vehicles (if it is night)