What to Do Right After a Minor Car Accident
Stop, stay safe, and document what happened
After a minor car accident, your first job is to make sure no one needs medical help and that both vehicles are out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights, set up a warning triangle or flares if you have them, and move to the shoulder if the cars are drivable and it is safe to do so. If anyone is injured or the road is blocked, call 911. If the accident is minor and both drivers are unharmed, you can call the police non-emergency line — in South Carolina, that number varies by county, so check your local police department's website.
While you wait for police or before you leave the scene, take photos and video of both vehicles from multiple angles, the accident location, road conditions, traffic signs, and the other driver's license plate. Get the names, phone numbers, addresses, and driver's license numbers of the other driver and any passengers. Write down their insurance company name and policy number. If there are witnesses, get their contact information too. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident — stick to the facts of what happened.
Key Takeaways
- Move vehicles to safety if possible, turn on hazards, and call 911 only if someone is injured or the road is blocked.
- Take photos of both vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and the other driver's license plate before anyone leaves.
- Collect the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, and insurance information at the scene.
- Report the accident to your own insurance company within a few days, even if you think the other driver's insurance will pay.
- Keep all documents — photos, police report, repair estimates, medical records — in one place for your insurance claim.
Get a police report number
In South Carolina, you are required to report a car accident to police if there is injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. For minor accidents under that threshold, a police report is not required by law, but getting one anyway protects you. The police report creates an official record of what happened and includes the officer's observations, which your insurance company will use to investigate the claim.
If police come to the scene, they will give you a report number or a card with instructions on how to get a copy. If you called the non-emergency line and police did not respond, you can file a report yourself at your local police station within a few days. Ask for a copy of the report number so you can reference it when you contact your insurance company.
Notify your insurance company
Contact your insurance company within a few days of the accident, even if you believe the other driver's insurance will cover the damage. Your policy likely requires you to report accidents promptly, and waiting too long can give the insurance company a reason to deny your claim. Have your policy number, the police report number, and the other driver's information ready when you call.
Tell your insurance company what happened in simple terms: where the accident occurred, what time it happened, how many vehicles were involved, and a brief description of the damage. Do not speculate about who was at fault — just describe what you saw. Your insurance company will assign a claims adjuster who will contact you to schedule an inspection of your vehicle and may request the photos you took at the scene.
Get repair estimates and understand your deductible
After you report the claim, you will need to get your vehicle inspected and repaired. Your insurance company may direct you to a specific repair shop, or you may choose your own. Get at least one written estimate for the damage before authorizing any repairs. The estimate should list each damaged part and the labor cost to fix it.
Remember that you will owe your deductible — the amount you agreed to pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. If the damage is minor and the repair cost is close to your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim, since you will pay most of the cost anyway and your rates may go up. Your claims adjuster can tell you the estimated repair cost before you decide whether to proceed.
Handle the other driver's insurance claim
If the other driver's insurance company contacts you, you can choose to work with them or stick with your own insurance company. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and many people choose not to. If you do speak with them, keep your answers factual and brief — do not speculate or accept blame.
If the other driver's insurance agrees to pay for the damage, they will typically pay your repair shop directly or reimburse you after you submit an invoice. This process usually takes two to four weeks. If the other driver's insurance denies the claim or offers less than the repair estimate, your own insurance company can pursue the claim on your behalf through a process called subrogation, where they try to recover the money from the other driver's insurance.
Keep records of everything
Create a folder — digital or paper — and keep every document related to the accident in one place. This includes photos from the scene, the police report, the other driver's information, your insurance company's claim number, repair estimates, receipts for repairs, medical records if you were injured, and any correspondence with insurance companies. If the claim takes months to resolve or if there is a dispute, you will have everything organized and easy to find.
If you rented a car while yours was being repaired, keep the rental agreement and receipt. Some insurance policies cover rental car costs while your vehicle is in the shop, and you will need proof of the expense to be reimbursed. The same applies to any other costs directly caused by the accident — towing, storage, or transportation.
Understand how the accident affects your rates
A minor accident claim will likely cause your insurance rates to increase at your next renewal, even if you were not at fault. The amount of the increase depends on your insurance company, your driving history, and the state. South Carolina does not cap how much insurers can raise rates after an accident, so rates vary widely. Some companies offer accident forgiveness programs that waive the rate increase if it is your first accident in a certain number of years — ask your agent whether you have this coverage.
The rate increase typically lasts three to five years from the date of the accident. After that period, the accident will drop off your record and your rates should return to normal. If you received a traffic citation for the accident, that will also affect your rates and may stay on your record longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police for a minor accident?
You are required to report accidents with injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to police. For smaller accidents, a report is not legally required, but getting one creates an official record that helps your insurance claim. You can file a report at your local police station within a few days if police did not come to the scene.
What if I do not have the other driver's insurance information?
Report the accident to your own insurance company and provide the other driver's name, address, and license plate number. Your insurance company can investigate and locate the other driver's insurance. If the other driver was uninsured, your own uninsured motorist coverage may cover your damage, depending on your policy.
Can I choose my own repair shop, or do I have to use the insurance company's shop?
You have the right to choose your own repair shop in South Carolina. Your insurance company cannot force you to use a specific shop. Get a written estimate from your chosen shop and submit it to your insurance company. They will review it and approve the repairs if the estimate is reasonable.
Will my rates go up even if the other driver was at fault?
Rates may still increase after an accident, even if you were not at fault. Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness that waives the increase for your first accident. Ask your agent whether you have this coverage. If you do not, the rate increase typically lasts three to five years.
How long does it take to get paid for the damage?
The timeline depends on whether you are working with your own insurance company or the other driver's. Most claims take two to four weeks from the time you file until the repair shop is paid or you receive reimbursement. Complex claims or disputes can take longer. Your claims adjuster can give you a more specific timeline based on your situation.