I Rear-Ended Someone: Now What? (2023)

Updated 3 days ago
Get cheap insurance quotes, today!
Our team will help you find the lowest insurance prices.
Get Started →

After rear-ending someone, it's critical to remain at the scene. You want to check to see if anyone suffered any injuries and contact the police to report the incident. It's still your responsibility to take pictures of the scene and contact your insurance company to inform them of the accident.

5 steps to take after rear-ending another vehicle

There are numerous reasons why you might end up rear-ending another car. The reason doesn't matter in the moment. You just need to remain calm, take a deep breath, and avoid panicking.

It's also critical for you to not admit fault. There may be extenuating factors at play you don't realize quite yet. It's possible the other driver holds some blame. Don't admit anything, and go through the following.

  1. Check for injuries - First, check to see if anyone in your car or the other vehicle is injured. Get an ambulance to the scene immediately if anyone was seriously hurt.
  1. Call the police - Next, call 9-1-1. The police should come out to the scene to make a report. You should tell them exactly what happened.
  1. Swap information - You need to give your insurance information to the other driver and vice versa.
  1. Take photos - If you have a smartphone, take pictures of the scene. In addition to photographing the cars, you should note conditions in the road that could have played a role in the crash, such as potholes.
  1. Call your insurance provider - It's a good idea to contact your insurance agency within 24 hours of the crash. You want to give them a heads up of what to expect.

Do I still need to file a report if the other car has no damage?

You may try to avoid filing a report because both cars seem fine. If there's no damage and no one's hurt, then the police may not even come out. However, there could be interior damage the other driver needs to account for that require you to file a report.

  • Damaged transmission
  • Broken axles
  • Loose wires and bolts

Does my insurance premium go up if I was at-fault?

Many insurance companies have policies that if you are at-fault for a collision, then your premiums increase. This is why it's a good idea to buy insurance from a company with accident forgiveness.

This is an additional policy you can get where your price doesn't go up from the first accident you cause. You're often eligible for this policy if you have several years of accident-free driving.

Make sure to speak with your insurance representative to see how much it costs you. If you ever end up causing a rear-end collision, then the price may be worth it in the long run.

When the time arises, is my insurance going to be enough?

When it comes to car insurance, there are several factors to consider beyond monthly cost. A policy that covers you when you need it, has a low deductible, and offers several discounts can be hard to find - which is why we've done the work for you.

Get instant quotes tailored to your needs - fill out our short form, today!

Get cheap insurance quotes, today!
Our team will help you find the lowest insurance prices.
Get Started →