5 things to not do after a car accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

After a collision, the first priority is people's safety. Stop, check for injuries and call Triple Zero (000) if someone needs urgent help or there is an immediate danger. Insurance and replacement-car arrangements come after those urgent needs.

1. Do not put yourself in danger to collect evidence

Watch for traffic, fire, leaking fuel and other hazards. Do not stand in an active traffic lane to photograph damage. Follow emergency-service directions and help injured people as safely as you can.

Do not unnecessarily move someone who may have a serious injury. If there is an immediate threat, explain it to the emergency operator and follow their instructions.

2. Do not leave without meeting your obligations

Drivers must stop and fulfil the applicable duties to help and exchange details. In NSW, required information includes the driver's name and address, the vehicle owner's details if different, and the registration and identifying details of the vehicle. A phone number and insurance information are also useful, but they do not replace the required details.

If another driver refuses to cooperate, avoid an argument and contact police. Reporting and police-attendance requirements vary. Consult your local authority; Legal Aid NSW explains the NSW obligations.

3. Do not assume every vehicle must stay exactly where it stopped

For a minor crash, moving a driveable vehicle to a safe place can reduce further danger. Serious incidents may require the scene to be preserved. Follow police instructions and do not move vehicles or objects if doing so would create danger or interfere with emergency work.

NSW's crash guidance explains when to move out of traffic and when to contact police. Other states and territories have their own reporting rules.

4. Do not guess, argue or rush into a settlement

Record what you actually saw: the time, location, vehicle positions and any witness details. Photograph damage and relevant road features only when safe. Keep original dashcam footage if available.

Be truthful with police and insurers. Avoid speculation about fault or agreeing to a final payment before you understand the damage and your position. If liability is disputed, get advice rather than trying to resolve it in a roadside argument.

5. Do not drive a damaged car or drive when unwell

A car that starts is not necessarily safe to drive. If you are uncertain about damage, arrange an assessment or appropriate towing. If you feel injured, faint or unable to concentrate, get medical help and arrange another way to travel.

Once everyone is safe and immediate obligations are met, notify your insurer as required by your policy. If you need transport after a not-at-fault accident, contact Carbiz to discuss eligibility and replacement vehicle options.

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What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

30 June 2021