So, You’ve Been in a Car Accident… Now What?

Posted on March 18, 2025 in Auto Repair

Let’s start with the good news—I’m alive. The other driver is alive. We’re both okay. Now for the bad news… my car? Not so much. Hi, I’m Avery, and I handle social media and marketing at Joe Davis Autosport. And as of Sunday, February 16th, I am now an official member of the "I’ve Been in a Car Accident" club. I wouldn't recommend it, zero stars.

"It Happened So Fast"—Except, It Didn’t

You always hear people say, “It happened in the blink of an eye!” but for me, it was more like slow motion. I was driving straight through a green light at the 309 & Broad Street intersection in Quakertown when I saw it—a driver turning left. Into me.

I slammed on my brakes, but I was already in the middle of the intersection. Impact. The front driver's side of my car got hit, spinning me to the right. I braced for impact (we’ll come back to why that was a mistake), watched my airbag deploy, and then skidded to a stop.

First Thought? I’m Alive. Second Thought? Is the Other Driver?

Thankfully, we both walked away with minor injuries. Our cars, however? Totaled. Just like that. In a single moment, life can flip upside down—literally.

I could take this in the direction of "you only have one life, follow your passions, blah blah blah," and I do believe that. But today? My gift to you is a practical guide to surviving (and handling) a car accident. Because, let’s be honest—until you’re in one, you probably don’t know what to do.

Step 1: The Immediate Aftermath

✔ Check Yourself (Before You Wreck Yourself Even More)

The moment everything stops, do a quick self-check. Are you okay? Can you move? Any major pain? If you're safe, check on the other driver and passengers.

✔ Call for Help

A kind gentleman, whose car I was now awkwardly staring at, asked if we were okay and if we needed help. I told him to call 911 while I checked on the other driver.

✔ Stay Calm & Collect Info

Once I confirmed the other driver was okay, we exchanged information. The police arrived within minutes, thanks to that good Samaritan calling right away.

Step 2: What to Do at the Scene

📍 TIP: Know Where Your License & Insurance Are

The officer needed my license, registration, and insurance. Having them easily accessible made it so much smoother—especially when my car was, you know, a crumpled mess.

📷 TIP: Evidence is Your Best Friend

Take pictures of everything:

✅ Your car, their car, the intersection, all angles
✅ Traffic signals or stoplights (especially if they prove you had the right of way)
✅ Your dashboard (if your lights were on—like mine were, and I had photo proof!)

🚗 TIP: Have Reusable Tote Bags in Your Trunk

Sounds random, right? But when the officer told me to grab my belongings before the tow truck arrived, I was so grateful for my TJ Maxx/Marshalls bags to carry everything out.

Step 3: Dealing with Insurance (a.k.a. The Less Fun Part)

📞 First Things First: File a Claim

Thanks to modern tech, most insurance companies have mobile apps where you can submit a claim in minutes. While waiting at the hospital (yep, we’ll get to that next), my parents and I filed the claim right away. The insurance company sent an adjuster to inspect my car and, surprise surprise, it was declared totaled.

🏥 TIP: Tell the Hospital It’s Accident-Related

After the adrenaline wore off, the pain kicked in (hello, whiplash). At the hospital, I made sure they knew it was from a car accident and gave them my claim number so they could bill the right insurance.

📝 Giving a Statement to Insurance

Since the other driver was at fault (thank you, traffic cam evidence!), their insurance covered my rental car. But before that happened, I had to give a statement. Stick to the facts—what you saw, what happened, and let the evidence do the talking.

Step 4: The One Thing I Did Wrong—And What You Shouldn’t Do

Remember when I said I braced for impact? Big mistake. Turns out, that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. When you tense up, your body takes the full force of the crash—which is why I ended up with whiplash. Ever wonder why drunk drivers often walk away from accidents without a scratch? It’s because they’re limp. Now, I’m not saying you should be tipsy behind the wheel (please don’t), but if you see an accident coming, try to relax your body.

Final Takeaways

✔ Always know where your documents are (license, registration, insurance).
✔ Take as many pictures as possible—the more evidence, the better.
✔ Keep tote bags in your trunk for emergencies.
✔ Get checked at the hospital—even if you feel okay.
✔ File your claim ASAP (use the mobile app if available).
✔ DO NOT brace for impact—go loose instead.

If you’ve ever been in an accident, what’s the best advice you’ve learned? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories. And if you’re lucky enough to have never been in one, take this as your crash course in what to do when it happens. Stay safe out there!