What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident

If you’re ever involved in a car accident, the first thing you should do is to stop. No matter how minor the accident is, you’re required by law to bring your car to a standstill. This is so you and all other parties involved can assess the damage and figure out what needs to be done next. 

Knowing how to react in an accident is important for protecting your health, safety, and finances. After an accident, things can get pretty chaotic. Most people experience shock, stress, and confusion at the same time, and never really know what to do next. 

South Africa generally has a high road accident rate. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, there were a total of 20 050 reported road accidents between January 2024 and March 2025. No matter how careful you are, you might fall victim. Having a clear plan of action can help prevent further damage, which is why Cartrack is here to provide you with tips on what to do and how our technology can assist you.

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The immediate steps to take after a car accident

The immediate steps to take after an accident include stopping your car in a safe place, checking for injuries, and calling for help. From there, you need to get out of the car, assess the situation, document everything, and get all the details you need for your claim and the police report.  

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on what to do if you’re involved in a car accident:

1. Ensure safety first
   Turn on your hazard lights to notify other drivers that something is wrong. Once you’ve done that, and if possible, slowly move your car to a safe location to avoid the risk of causing another accident. This can be on the shoulder of the road or a parking space, depending on where the accident happened. From there, check yourself and passengers for any injuries.
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2. Check for injuries and call for help
   Call emergency services immediately if there are injuries. Don’t try to move someone who’s severely injured unless that person is in immediate danger, (like if you suspect the car is about to catch fire). This also goes for you if you’re severely injured; don’t move, as you might make things worse for yourself. 
   
   If you have minor injuries, you must still seek medical attention. Make sure you keep all medical records for insurance claims and legal purposes. When calling for help, try to give the emergency service personnel clear details of where you are. Tell them how many people are injured and how bad it is so they can come prepared.
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3. Protect the scene
   If the position of your car doesn’t increase the risk of causing other accidents, leave it where it is for evidence purposes. From there (assuming this is a minor accident with no injuries), put out warning signs such as warning triangles or cones if available. 
   
   You should avoid moving any broken remains or disturbing any skid marks. Insurers normally assess the damage to both vehicles. Safeguarding the evidence of an accident scene is crucial because it can help prove who was at fault.
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4. Document the accident
   As the social media merchants always say, “Did it even happen if you didn’t take a photo?” Well, the same applies to car accidents. Take as many photos as possible, from all angles, and make sure the damage is clearly visible. Make sure to include images of the other vehicle(s) involved, and their surroundings.
   
   Take note of the time and date of the accident, as these little details are easy to forget when there’s a lot going on. Collect as much information as possible about the other party, and include the following details:
   
   • Vehicle registration number 
   • ID number
   • Cellphone numbers and alternative contact details
   • Insurance company details
   • Physical address
   • Make and model of the other car(s)
     
     The police will require a sketch and description of the accident, and this means you need to remember details of your surroundings, such as road names, intersections, and traffic lights. So take note of that too. Gather witness statements too, if there are any.
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5. Avoid admission of fault
   Don’t admit blame at the scene. Determining who’s at fault is crucial for insurance claims, legal proceedings, and potential liabilities. According to The Cotto Law Group, an admission of fault could result in your insurer viewing you as a high risk and increasing your premiums. Insurance companies also use such admissions to deny or minimise claims, making it difficult for you to receive fair compensation. 
   
   In some cases, people believe they were at fault and admit it to speed up the process and move on. Others admit unintentionally by saying things like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you”, which may be considered admissions of guilt. Rather stick to factual descriptions when speaking to the police and avoid arguing with the other parties involved.
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6. Notify authorities and insurance
   If there are any fatalities, injuries, or damages to someone’s property, or if you suspect the other driver is intoxicated, you need to immediately call the police. If it’s a minor accident, you must ensure that you report the accident to the police within 24 hours. From there, you can contact your insurance provider.
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7. Watch out for post-accident reactions
   Your body releases adrenaline after an accident, which might mask pain and emotions. This type of reaction may have you feeling like you’re fine, leading you to overlook symptoms of injuries. The hidden signs of injuries include headaches, dizziness, and unexplained pain. Make sure you seek medical attention to steer clear of any hidden health issues. Visiting the doctor as soon as possible also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident.
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8. Follow up
   After leaving the accident scene, you must conduct a follow-up. This is usually where lengthy disputes emerge, and the evidence you’ve gathered is what will save you from that. Seek legal advice if that happens. 
   
   Keep a record of your communications with insurers, repairers, and all other parties involved. Stick to insurer-approved repair centres to ensure your car is fixed correctly and safely. 

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How modern-day technology can help after an accident

Modern-day technologies such as dashcams, vehicle tracking units, and sensors can help you after an accident by: 

• Providing clear footage of the accident and the moments leading up to it.

• Providing telematics that can support insurance claims.

• Detecting vehicle impact so you can get faster emergency service response.

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Here are brief explanations of how these three technologies work to your advantage if you’re ever involved in an accident: 

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Dashcams 

Dashcams are the best way to ensure that everything surrounding the accident is recorded. With these gadgets, you won’t have to worry about taking pictures of everything to prove your innocence. It also helps those who suffer from memory loss after an accident and are unable to recall the sequence of events leading to the accident. A dashcam strengthens your claim by providing factual video evidence with time stamps.

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Vehicle tracking units 

Vehicle tracking units with telematics capabilities provide location data and driver behaviour. This means they’ll show the exact time and place of the accident and reveal the speed at which you were travelling, or if you were braking or accelerating harshly. Through telematics, you can further prove to insurers that you were not in the wrong. 

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Crash detection sensors

Some tracking units also have sensors that can identify severe vehicle impact. This is known as crash detection technology. Through crash detection technology, your vehicle tracking service can identify when your car has been in an accident. They’ll then send emergency services to your location, giving you a faster response. 

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Get the support you need after a car accident with Cartrack

At Cartrack, we provide the support you need after an accident with advanced solutions that speed up the process so you can worry less. You can count on our GPS trackers, dashcams, roadside assistance, and medical assistance services to be there for you when you need them most. 

Here’s a closer look at our post-accident solutions: 

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GPS tracking unit

GPS trackers are a must-have for every car owner as they come in handy in many situations—an accident being one of them. They’ll give you telematics data that shows how you were driving in the moments leading up to the accident. For example, if you’re accused of speeding, you can simply go to your Cartrack mobile app, access your trip history, and prove that you weren’t driving recklessly in any way.

Unfortunately, some accidents are staged. Criminals might intentionally, yet gently, bump your car from behind, making you stop and go out to assess the damage. They’ll then take over and steal your car. This form of hijacking is called the “tap-tap” method, and should you fall victim, our GPS tracking unit gives you the best chance at getting your car back. We have nationwide recovery teams that are always on standby, waiting for your call.

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Dashcams—Road Vision  

The Cartrack Road Vision dashcam is a front-facing camera that captures everything that happens in front of you while you drive. This helps eliminate the back and forth that happens after accidents, as you’ll have evidence of everything. 

The Road Vision camera offers high video quality that can capture finer details such as road signs and number plates. For example, if you’re ever a victim of a hit and run, the dashcam will help you quickly find the culprit. You can present footage showing the number plate to the police so they can trace the car owner. 

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Crash detection 

A quick response after an accident can save lives. At Cartrack, we have a crash detection service that you can add to your package to ensure that you receive emergency assistance as soon as possible. Once we detect a heavy impact on your car, we’ll call you or your family member to find out what kind of help you need, then immediately send help to your location. 

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Protector (roadside and medical assistance)

Cartrack’s Protector is a value-added service that provides 24/7 emergency assistance such as roadside, medical, and legal support. It’s available on the Cartrack app at the push of a button. For instance, if you’re in an accident and need a towing service, you can contact us and we’ll arrange it for you. 

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Cartrack helps you prepare for the unexpected

Knowing what to do before an accident occurs is crucial, and having the right technology makes dealing with the situation a lot easier. Cartrack comes to the aid in such instances so you can focus on recovering. Reach out to us and enjoy the benefits of our post-accident solutions. 

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Frequently Asked Questions about car accidents 

Will my insurance increase after a claim?

Yes, your insurance premium may increase after a claim. It depends on how often you claim. The more you claim, the higher risk you are to insurers, and they’ll charge you more for that. If it’s your first claim, you might get a small increase or no increase at all. 

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Who do you contact after an accident occurs?

After an accident occurs, you must contact an ambulance service if there are injuries. From there, report the incident at the nearest police station within 24 hours. You can also dial 10111 to report the issue, and give accurate details about the accident. Make sure you get a case number, because it’s required for insurance claims and legal purposes.