Rules of the road
Lesson 9 · Night, weather and emergencies

What should you do after a minor crash?

Short answer

Stop. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. If no one is hurt and the cars can move, get them out of traffic, turn on hazards, and exchange information.

Watch it play out

How to do it

  1. Stop right away. Leaving the scene is a crime.
  2. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
  3. If no one is hurt and the cars can move, move them out of traffic and turn on hazard lights.
  4. Exchange names, license, registration and insurance, and report the crash if your state requires it.

Why the rule works this way

Many second crashes happen when people stand in traffic after a minor one. Getting out of the lane protects everyone.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving without exchanging information.
  • Standing in the travel lane to look at damage.
State differencesStates set different rules for when you must report a crash to police or the DMV, often based on injuries or damage cost.

Questions people ask

Should I admit fault?

Stick to the facts and exchange information. Let police and insurers decide fault.