How to Get Through a Car Accident - Not My Fault

Car accidents, or even just the thought of a potential car accident, can frighten or cause worry about possible injury - we all have those moments of fear. This fear can help you make the best decisions about how to handle your own injuries if they happen as a result of a car accident. And this preplanning can help you to be sure that you will be taken care of if something happens. If you haven’t already put together a plan of what you would do in a car accident, then this one's for you!

Some questions to ask yourself - and to keep in mind should the worst ever occur.

Who will be driving your car? Who will be driving the other car? Will there be witnesses to the accident?

Of course, if you believe that you are not at fault for the accident, you will want to see records of the other driver's behaviour - be sure to reach out to witnesses around the accident scene. Even better - install a dashcam before any accidents happen! If you are not at fault, then call our team at Carbiz as soon as possible.

Who will help you secure an accident replacement vehicle and manage your accident claim?

This is such a great question to ask yourself! Who will help you if you were not at fault? With so many more cars on the road, it’s very likely that an accident will occur at some point - and you may not even be at fault! Save our number onto your phone now - 1300 889 256 - That way you’re able to call us immediately following an accident. If you’re thinking that this was “not my fault” then give us a call - our team is here to help you. We offer accident replacement vehicles in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.

How are you feeling physically, emotionally, and socially?

For many people who are involved in a car accident, the event can cause mental trauma, as well as physical trauma. If you are injured, it may be difficult to find any kind of routine physical activity, let alone a social life.

How are you planning to pick up the children if you are involved in an accident, or even run errands?

Let’s be honest - cars get damaged in accidents. Even minor accidents can leave your car in the repair shop for weeks. And many of us are so dependent on our cars to get to work, pick up our kids or just to run simple errands like picking up a few groceries. An accident replacement vehicle may be your only option for getting back to normal life.

Do you have a way to get home after your accident? If you are unable to move your vehicle after the accident, you may need a tow truck to get you to a repair shop. Did you know that Carbiz can help you with this as well?

Car accidents have a wide array of devastating effects. They not only directly affect the vehicles of those involved, but they also directly affect their friends and families. The long-term effects of vehicle accidents on anyone can be devastating and devastating for their social lives. But there are things you can do to guard yourself against such unfortunate accidents.

For practical guidance after a collision, read our five mistakes to avoid after a car accident and insurance claim preparation checklist.

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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.

22 February 2021