There were 290.8 million cars in the United States as of September 2022 and Americans drive a total of 3.2 trillion miles each year, so no one should be surprised by the millions of crashes that occur annually on U.S. roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 5.25 million motor vehicle crashes were reported in 2020 (download the report here). That works out to a daily average of more than 14,300 crashes.
So, whether you’re a novice driver or you have years of driving experience, it makes sense to know what to do if you’re involved in a car crash—and how it can impact your auto insurance rates.
You’ve probably heard people refer to everything from a fender-bender to a serious collision as an accident. Law enforcement and auto insurance companies usually try to avoid using the word when referring to car crashes because it implies that no one in particular is at fault. In reality, car crashes where no one is at fault are rare; most occur because a motorist did something (or did not do something they should’ve done) to cause it.
A good first step toward avoiding crashes is learning about what causes them. Crashes caused by human error can usually be attributed to one of the following behaviors:
Despite your best efforts, there may come a time when you’re involved in a car crash. A driver is responsible for knowing what to do after a crash, so follow these steps—you’ll not only help keep everyone involved safe, but you’ll also be giving yourself a leg up when authorities write their report and your insurance company reviews your claim.
1. Remain calm. Adrenaline may heighten your emotions, making you become aggressive or agitated. If you’re not in immediate danger, take a moment to collect yourself. Once you have a clear head, it will be easier to remember the things you need to do next.
2. Assist the injured. If your crash involves another vehicle or pedestrians, or if you have passengers in your car, check on those people to see if they are injured if it is safe to do so. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911 immediately.
3. Remain at the scene. Before taking time to exchange information, get to a safe place. If you’re able to do so, move your vehicle off the road, turn on your hazard lights and set out warning flares or reflective triangles. Don’t leave the scene of the crash until after you’ve been given permission to do so by authorities. If another driver involved in the crash flees, follow this advice.
4. Notify the police and submit a report. The law requires you to notify the police. The more serious the crash, the more important it is to have authorities there in person to review what happened. If the police don’t come to the scene, file an incident report at a police station or with another law enforcement agency as soon as possible. Having a police report on file may help later if you need to file a liability claim.
5. Document the scene and gather information. Exchanging information with everyone involved, including witnesses, will help your insurance claim process go as smoothly as possible. Take photos of the location, the people involved and the damaged vehicles, and use your phone’s camera or a pen and paper to document:
6. Contact your insurance provider. The sooner you make your insurer aware of the incident, the sooner they can start the claim process. Many insurance companies have staff available 24/7 and can assist immediately.
A police officer’s report of the crash will include important details related to the incident and statements from those involved. Never allow yourself to be pressured into admitting fault or giving an opinion about the cause of the crash. If you are not comfortable discussing what happened, you can talk with an attorney before giving a statement.
Your auto insurance company may rely on the details of the police report that’s filed, particularly if it indicates one driver bears most or all of the fault.
If the crash wasn’t your fault, there’s a possibility you may not see a rate increase at all, but this will depend on your insurance provider and the state you live in. That’s because some states, including Arizona, New York and Ohio, do not allow insurance companies to surcharge policyholders for incidents they did not cause. The best way to learn whether you could see a rate increase even if you are not at fault is to ask your insurance agent or consult your insurance policy. If you live in a state where insurance companies are allowed to surcharge drivers who are not at fault, you may see a smaller rate increase than if you were responsible for the crash.
Insurance companies consider a number of factors when determining your auto insurance rates, including your driving history and driving habits, the car you own, and the type and amount of auto insurance coverage you have. All these things are used to decide how risky it is to insure you. It’s worth remembering that crashes are not the only events to show up on your driving record. Some traffic violations, such as a drunk-driving incident, may be serious enough to trigger a nonrenewal—a situation where your auto insurance company chooses not to renew your policy at the end of its term. When you shop for coverage after such an incident, any companies providing insurance quotes will see the event when they check your claims history and driving record.
Once an incident that affects your auto insurance rates appears on your driving record, you can expect it to remain a factor in calculating your insurance costs for at least three years, depending on your insurance company, your state’s regulations, and the nature and severity of the event. Some companies will consider violations going back five years or more.
See what steps you can take to help counter the rising costs of auto insurance.
Learn moreHaving a crash on your driving record for three to five years can be tough, but there are things you can do to help offset the surcharge:
For more information about these and other types of auto insurance policies that may be available to you, schedule a meeting with your agent.
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This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.
Legal & Compliance Reviewed: March 2025