What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide for Drivers

No one plans to be involved in a car accident, but knowing what to do in the moments afterward can help protect your safety, your passengers, and your vehicle.

Whether it's a minor fender bender or a more serious collision, staying calm and following a few important steps can make a stressful situation much easier to manage.

1. Check for Injuries First

Your first priority should always be the safety of everyone involved.

Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries appear minor, it's often best to have emergency responders evaluate the situation.

If you are unable to move safely, remain in your vehicle until help arrives.

2. Move to a Safe Location if Possible

If the accident is minor and the vehicles can be driven safely, move them to the shoulder of the road or another safe location away from traffic.

Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.

If the vehicles cannot be moved safely, remain inside with your seatbelt fastened until emergency personnel arrive.

3. Call the Police

Even in a minor accident, contacting local law enforcement can be beneficial.

A police report provides an official record of the incident that may be important for insurance claims and future documentation.

When speaking with officers, provide factual information about what happened, but avoid speculating about fault.

4. Exchange Information

Gather the following information from all drivers involved:

• Name and contact information
• Driver's license number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Vehicle make, model, and license plate number

It's also helpful to collect contact information from any witnesses who may have seen the accident.

5. Take Photos and Document the Scene

Your smartphone can become one of your most valuable tools after an accident.

Take photographs of:

• Vehicle damage
• License plates
• Road conditions
• Traffic signs or signals
• Skid marks or debris
• The overall accident scene

The more documentation you have, the easier it may be to work through insurance claims later.

6. Contact Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.

Provide them with the information you've gathered, including photos, witness information, and the police report number if available.

Being thorough and timely can help speed up the claims process.

7. Watch for Hidden Vehicle Damage

Many accidents cause damage that isn't immediately visible.

While a dented bumper or scratched fender may be obvious, collisions can also affect:

• Alignment
• Suspension components
• Steering systems
• Brakes
• Tires and wheels
• Frame structure

Even a low-speed impact can create issues that may not become noticeable until days or weeks later.

8. Have Your Vehicle Professionally Inspected

After an accident, it's wise to have your vehicle inspected by a trusted automotive professional.

A qualified technician can identify hidden damage that could affect your vehicle's safety, performance, or tire wear.

Ignoring these issues can sometimes lead to more costly repairs down the road.

Common Signs You Should Schedule an Inspection

Consider having your vehicle checked if you notice:

• The steering wheel is no longer centered
• The vehicle pulls to one side
• Uneven tire wear
• Vibrations while driving
• Unusual noises
• Warning lights appearing after the accident

The Bottom Line

Accidents happen when we least expect them. Knowing how to respond can help keep everyone safe and reduce stress during an already difficult situation.

Once everyone is safe and the necessary information has been exchanged, don't forget to have your vehicle inspected for damage that may not be visible at first glance.

A little attention today can help prevent larger problems tomorrow.

About T&M Auto

For drivers throughout Northern Berkshire County, T&M Auto provides a full range of automotive services including brakes, alignments, suspension repairs, tires, exhaust work, oil changes, and Massachusetts state inspections. Their experienced technicians can help identify accident-related issues and get you back on the road safely. Call: 413-664-6697 Website: T&M AutomotiveT & M Automotive

North Adams Becomes a Purple Heart Community

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Veterans Service Officer Kurtis Durocher, a Purple Heart recipient, tells his own story of how he was wounded in Iraq.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City leaders last week held a ceremony marking the city as a Purple Heart Community to honor local military service members wounded or killed in combat.

 

"This designation is much more than a sign that will stand at the entrances to our city," said Kurtis Durocher, Northern Berkshire veterans service officer at City Hall on Friday. "It is a lasting commitment and a promise to this community. We'll never forget the sacrifices made by those who are wounded or killed while serving our nation. It is a public declaration of the courage and sacrifices of combat wounded. Veterans will always have a place of honor here in North Adams."

 

As a Purple Heart Community, North Adams will place signs throughout the city acknowledging the designation. The city will also hold a ceremony every Aug. 7 on National Purple Heart Day.

 

During the inaugural ceremony, Durocher said he was asked by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to find a keynote speaker for the event, preferably a Purple Heart recipient. But he was unable to find someone willing to speak. With the date approaching, he decided to tell his own story.

 

"I don't like standing up and telling my own personal story ... But I realized, in my position as a VSO, I get so many ... children of veterans who will say, 'I didn't know anything about my father until after he passed because he just didn't talk about it,'" Durocher said. "... I have been that way until I've gotten into this position, and so, now, I try to tell my story as much as I can when it is brought to me."

 

Durocher served in the Army for 20 years and retired as a master sergeant. On Friday, he recalled a time early in his career while serving in the 82nd Airborne Division deploying to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Sept. 12, 2003, his squad was conducting a patrol on Route Irish in Baghdad. He was serving as a gunner on an LMTV when it was struck by a 155-millimeter artillery shell. He said the explosive had been hidden behind a guardrail and detonated using nothing more than a washing machine timer.

 

"In an instant, everything changed. The blast knocked me unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I instinctively was removing my helmet," he said. "Almost immediately my training took over. We had been taught repeatedly that attacks like this were often followed by a secondary attack or an ambush. I quickly put my helmet back on and began searching for my machine gun."