Accidents are stressful. In the moments after a collision, it's easy to panic — but the steps you take in the first minutes and hours can protect your legal rights, your insurance claim, and your ability to get a free replacement vehicle if the crash wasn't your fault. Here's exactly what to do.
Step 1: Stop and stay calm
Victorian law requires you to stop after any accident involving injury or property damage. Do not drive away, even if the damage seems minor.
If the vehicles are in a dangerous position (blocking traffic, on a bend, near a crest), and it is safe to do so, move them to the side of the road. Take photos first if you can.
Call 000 immediately if anyone is injured. Even if injuries seem minor — whiplash and concussion can worsen — it's better to have an ambulance attend than to regret not calling.
Step 2: Exchange details
Victorian law requires drivers involved in an accident to exchange the following details: - Full name and address - Driver's licence number - Vehicle registration number - Insurance company name and policy number (if they have it)
Get this information from every driver involved. If there are witnesses, ask for their name and contact number too. Be polite but firm — you are legally entitled to this information.
Do not admit fault or apologise at the scene, even if you feel partly responsible. Fault is determined by evidence and insurance assessors, not by what's said in the moment.
Step 3: Document the scene
Before any vehicles are moved (or immediately after if they've had to be moved for safety), take photos of: - Damage to all vehicles involved - The position of vehicles on the road - Any skid marks, debris, or road conditions - Traffic signs and signals in the area - Any visible injuries (with permission)
These photos may be critical if there is a dispute about what happened. Also note the time, date, location, weather conditions, and road conditions in writing.
If you have a dashcam, preserve the footage immediately — do not let it record over itself.
Step 4: Report to police
In Victoria, you must report an accident to police if: - Anyone is injured - A driver fails to stop or provide their details - The other driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs - Government property was damaged (e.g. road signs, barriers) - The accident involves an unregistered vehicle
For minor accidents where details were exchanged and no one was injured, a police report is not mandatory — but it can be useful if there is later a dispute about fault.
You can report to your nearest police station within 24 hours, or call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 for non-emergency incidents.
Step 5: Notify your insurer
Contact your insurance company within 24–48 hours of the accident, even if you don't intend to make a claim through them. Most policies require prompt notification — failing to do so can complicate a claim later.
When you call, give them the facts: what happened, when, where, and the other driver's details. You do not need to have all information before you call — they can guide you through what's needed.
Step 6: If you weren't at fault — get a replacement car
If the accident was caused by another driver, you have a legal entitlement to a like-for-like replacement vehicle while your car is being repaired. This is not a favour — it is a legal right under Australian law, and the cost is paid by the at-fault driver's insurer, not by you.
This is called credit hire. You contact a credit hire company like 888 Car Hire, provide the at-fault driver's insurer details and claim reference, and we deliver a replacement vehicle to you — often the same day. You pay nothing upfront, and we recover the hire cost directly from the at-fault insurer.
Many drivers don't know this entitlement exists, or assume their own insurer will sort it out. Going through your own insurer often means delays, excess payments, and giving up your rights. Going directly to a credit hire provider is faster and costs you nothing.
The three conditions that qualify you: - The accident involved two or more vehicles - You were not at fault - The at-fault driver was insured
If all three apply, call us and we'll confirm your eligibility within minutes.