The decisions you make in the 24 hours after a not-at-fault accident can significantly affect your ability to claim a replacement vehicle, recover repair costs, and resolve the matter with as little stress as possible. Acting quickly protects your rights. Waiting — even for a day or two — can weaken your position, slow the process, and in some cases cause you to miss evidence that would have supported your claim.

Here's exactly what to do, in order.

At the scene (first 30 minutes)

Safety first: - Stop your vehicle safely and turn on your hazard lights immediately - Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Call 000 if anyone needs urgent medical attention. - Do not move vehicles unless they are a danger to other road users, or unless directed to by police

Exchange details: - Full name, home address, and phone number of the other driver - Driver's licence number - Registration plate and vehicle description (make, model, colour) - Name of their insurer and policy number if they have it available

Document everything: - Photograph both vehicles from multiple angles, showing damage and road position - Photograph tyre marks, road markings, traffic signals, and relevant signage - Take a wide shot showing the full accident location so context is clear - Note the time, date, and exact location in writing immediately

Witnesses: - Ask anyone who saw the collision for their name and phone number - Witnesses who saw what happened are valuable, especially if liability is later disputed

One rule you must follow: - Do not admit fault at the scene — not even informally, not even with an apology. Keep the conversation factual and factual only.

Within the first hour

Call 000 (or 112) if anyone has been injured, if the other driver refuses to exchange details, or if the other driver flees the scene. In Victoria, these circumstances require a police report.
Arrange towing if your vehicle is not driveable. Many towing operators can be on scene within 30–60 minutes.
Notify your own insurer that an accident has occurred — most policies require notification within 24–48 hours. You don't have to lodge a claim through them, but failing to notify can create policy complications later.

Within the first 2–4 hours

Contact a credit hire company — do not wait. The sooner you call, the sooner you can have a replacement vehicle. Same-day delivery is available across Melbourne metro where eligible.

Call 888 Car Hire on 0423 022 881, or check your eligibility at /not-at-fault-car-hire-melbourne. You'll need the other driver's registration plate and name at minimum — a claim number is not required.

If you have a trusted smash repairer, contact them now or make a note to call them first thing in the morning. You are not required to use the at-fault insurer's preferred repairer.

Within 24 hours

Confirm your police report or event number if one was filed. If you couldn't report at the scene, attend your local police station or use the Victoria Police online reporting portal for non-injury incidents.
Get a repair quote from your chosen licensed repairer. Having a quote early helps establish the scope of damage and whether the vehicle might be declared a total loss.
Save all communications. Keep texts, emails, and voicemails. After any phone call, note the time, the caller's name, and a summary of what was discussed.
Document out-of-pocket expenses. Keep receipts for towing, Uber or taxi rides home, any accommodation if the accident occurred away from home, and any other costs directly caused by the accident. These may be recoverable as part of your claim.
If the at-fault insurer contacts you: note the caller's name and the time. You are under no obligation to accept their first offer or agree to their preferred arrangements in this initial call. Tell them you'll get back to them once you've had a chance to review your position.

What NOT to do in the first 24 hours

Do not post about the accident on social media. Even a general status update can be used against you in a disputed claim.
Do not accept any settlement offer without understanding the full scope of your entitlements, including the replacement vehicle you may be entitled to during repairs.
Do not sign any releases or waivers from the at-fault insurer — these may extinguish rights you haven't yet had the chance to exercise.
Do not admit fault to anyone — not to the other driver, not in writing, not in casual conversation with friends or family on record.

The single most important action right now

If you haven't already checked whether you're eligible for a not-at-fault replacement car, do it now. It takes about 30 seconds. You may be entitled to a like-for-like vehicle delivered to your door today, with no upfront cost, while the at-fault insurer's claim is being resolved.

Visit 888 Car Hire's not-at-fault hire page or call 0423 022 881 — we cover all Melbourne metro suburbs, often with same-day delivery.