Checklist

You had an accident: Do these steps now, in order

Technically reviewed by Maximilian Fromm, independent vehicle expert (B.Sc. in Mechatronics) · Last updated: October 2026

Go through the steps from top to bottom. Do one step at a time.

Emergency call 112 Police 110

The eight steps at the accident scene

1
Turn on your hazard lights
Caution: Do not get out until it is safe. Traffic must see you right away, even if you stay seated. Put on your high-visibility vest before you get out.
2
Ask about injuries
Caution: Do not go to the other driver's vehicle until it is safe. Ask yourself and all passengers: Does anything hurt? Ask the same question in the other driver's vehicle. If you are not sure, call 112.
3
Secure the accident scene
Caution: Do not step onto the road until traffic allows it. Set up the warning triangle. Then traffic can see the accident scene in time.
4
Call the police in these cases
Call 110 if one of the four cases under the steps applies.

On the Autobahn and on expresswaysGo behind the guardrail. Do not stay between the vehicles. Carry the warning triangle visibly in front of you. Walk back behind the guardrail while you do this.

Call 110 if one of these cases applies:

Someone is injured
The other driver drives away or does not give their details
Alcohol or drugs may be involved
You do not agree on how the accident happened

If you are not sure, call 110.

For a rental car or company car: Report the accident to the rental company or employer on the same day. The contract often requires this.

5
Give your details and stick to the facts
Give the other driver your name, address and insurance. Describe what happened. Do not say anything about who is at fault.
6
Take photos before you move your car
Caution: Take photos only from a safe place. Do not step into moving traffic for a photo. The order of the photos is listed under the steps. Keep people out of the pictures.
7
Write down the other driver's details
Note their name, address, license plate and insurance. If the other driver agrees, take photos of their documents. This saves typing.
8
Talk to witnesses right away
Ask witnesses for their name and phone number. Ask before the witnesses drive away. Afterward you usually cannot find them.

For step 6, take photos in this order:

Final position of both vehiclesPhotograph both vehicles together, as they stand.
Both license platesPhotograph both license plates up close and in focus.
Both damaged areasPhotograph each damaged area once from a distance and once up close.
Overview of the accident scenePhotograph the intersection or the street before anyone moves anything.
Marks on the roadPhotograph skid marks or debris if you see any.

Two special cases when taking photosIf the damage is small and traffic is moving: Clear the road first. Then take photos from the side of the road. If the other driver objects: Photograph only your own vehicle and the accident scene. If you cannot photograph something from the side of the road, the independent vehicle expert will record it later.

Different case: You damaged a parked car yourselfIf you do not meet anyone, wait a reasonable time at the vehicle. Then report the damage to the police on the same day. A note behind the windshield wiper is not enough.

Wait until the inspection

Wait with these things until an independent vehicle expert has inspected the damage:

Having the vehicle washed or the dents removed
Throwing away parts or selling the vehicle
Having the vehicle repaired

Do not sign anything that gives an opinion on how the accident happened.

You choose the expert yourself.A proposal from the insurer is only an offer. A repair shop writes a repair estimate (Kostenvoranschlag). A repair estimate is not a report (Gutachten). The page Damage reportexplains what our damage report (Unfallgutachten) includes. A lawyer who specializes in traffic law can tell you how the law applies to your case.

On the same day

Call us as the last step of the day

Call us as long as you have not signed anything and have not chosen a repair shop. You now have the facts that an expert needs.

09131 91 66 143 Report damage

If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance usually pays for the report, not you.*We are available 24/7. Your contact person is based in Erlangen.

Write everything down while you still remember itNote the time, place, direction of travel and weather. Write down in your own words what was said. If both parties agree, use the European Accident Statement. Both of you fill out this form together. It records what happened. It is not an admission of fault.
See a doctor if anything hurtsGo even if the pain only starts hours later. This also applies to neck pain without a visible injury. Tell the doctor that you had an accident.
Report the accident to your own insurer if neededThis is needed if you claim benefits from your own insurer. It is also needed if you caused the damage yourself. The policy terms then usually require the report within one week.

If you want to read more later when you have time

Guide

What you may be entitled to after an accident

Your rights, amounts and how they connect, for when you have time to read.

Read the guide Report online

Report damage without a call

For everyone who prefers to report online instead of calling.

Open the form Duration

How long does a vehicle report take?

From appointment, inspection and repair cost calculation to delivery, plus how you can make it faster.

View topic Settlement

Fictitious settlement after an accident: payout without repair

What applies to a payout without repair and where this option ends.

View topic

We document the damage, so you can stay calm

We take care of the technical side of your case and support it until payout. Support means: we explain the technical points and comment on them from a technical point of view. We are not allowed to represent you. If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance usually pays for the report, not you.*

09131 91 66 143 Report damage

Maximilian FrommFounder and mechatronics engineer (B.Sc.)

* You do pay yourself in four cases: if you share liability for the accident (Mithaftung), for minor damage (Bagatellschaden), if the insurer reduces the fee, and if you settle through your own vehicle insurance (Kaskoversicherung). We tell you in advance what applies to your case in the free initial assessment.

CleverCrash is an office of independent vehicle experts, not a law firm. This page is general consumer information and does not replace legal advice in an individual case. Act at the accident scene only as long as it is safe. Last updated: October 21, 2026.

Maximilian Fromm

Independent vehicle expert, B.Sc. in Mechatronics

Maximilian Fromm is an independent vehicle expert and the founder of CleverCrash in Erlangen. He studied mechatronics. Since August 2025, he has written damage reports (Unfallgutachten) for private customers, repair shops and lawyers in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. He supports his customers until the insurer pays out.

You had an accident: Do these steps now, in order

The eight steps at the accident scene

Turn on your hazard lights

Ask about injuries

Secure the accident scene

Call the police in these cases

Give your details and stick to the facts

Take photos before you move your car

Write down the other driver's details

Talk to witnesses right away

Wait until the inspection

Call us as the last step of the day

If you want to read more later when you have time

What you may be entitled to after an accident

Report damage without a call

How long does a vehicle report take?

Fictitious settlement after an accident: payout without repair

We document the damage, so you can stay calm

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