Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
After ensuring everyone is safe, there are a few key steps to follow:
- Exchange details with the other driver
- Take clear photos of all vehicles, damage, the surrounding area, and any relevant road signs
- Speak to witnesses and collect their contact details if available
- Avoid admitting fault or making assumptions about what happened
Right after an accident, one of the first concerns many drivers experience, regardless of who caused the crash, is what will happen to their car and how they will manage while it is being repaired. For many people, the idea of being without a vehicle for days or even weeks can be stressful, especially when trying to keep up with work, family, and everyday responsibilities. What many drivers don’t realise is that, if they were not at fault, they may be eligible for a hire car, with the cost typically covered by the at-fault party’s insurer.
This is where I’m In The Right can help. Instead of navigating insurers, repairs, and transport on your own, eligible not-at-fault drivers may be able to access a like-for-like replacement vehicle while the paperwork and hire costs are managed on their behalf. This service is designed to reduce confusion and get you back on the road quickly, with no out-of-pocket hire costs for eligible drivers.
What Details You Must Collect at the Scene
Accurate information is critical for any claim or recovery process. At a minimum, you should collect:
- Full name and address of the other driver
- Contact number
- Vehicle registration number
- Make and model of the vehicle
- Insurance company (if known)
If possible, also take note of:
- The time, date, and exact location of the accident
- Weather and road conditions
- Any visible damage to both vehicles
- Witness statements and contact details
If there are nearby businesses or homes, it may also be worth checking whether CCTV footage is available, as this can sometimes help clarify how the accident occurred.
The more complete your records are, the easier it becomes to establish fault and move forward without unnecessary delays.
Do You Need to Call the Police After Someone Hits Your Car?
Not every accident requires police attendance, but there are situations where reporting may be necessary depending on the circumstances and the laws in your state or territory.
You may need to contact police if:
- Someone is injured
- The other driver leaves the scene without providing details
- A driver appears under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- The accident causes major damage, traffic hazards, or requires emergency assistance
Even when it’s not mandatory, having a police report can help support your version of events and may assist in confirming fault, particularly if there is a dispute.
If you do report the incident, make sure to obtain an event or report number, as this can be useful for any claims or follow-up actions.
Do You Call Your Insurance or The Other Driver’s After an Accident?
This is one of the most common questions drivers ask after a crash: whose insurance company should you contact first?
The answer usually depends on who was at fault and what type of insurance cover is involved.
If you were at fault, you would normally contact your own insurer to report the accident and discuss the next steps. Drivers with comprehensive insurance may also be able to claim for damage to their own vehicle through their policy.
If you were not at fault, many people assume they only have two options. They either contact the at-fault driver’s insurer directly or, if they have comprehensive insurance, go through their own insurer and allow them to manage the claim on their behalf. In some cases, drivers who go through their own insurer may need to pay an excess upfront, which is often refunded later once liability is confirmed.
There is also a third option. Eligible drivers may choose to use a service such as I’m In The Right, which can help manage communication with the at-fault driver and their insurer on the driver’s behalf while arranging a like-for-like replacement vehicle during the repair period.
Regardless of which insurer you contact, it’s important to understand that hire car options through insurers can sometimes come with limitations. Depending on the policy or provider, the replacement vehicle may not be like-for-like, availability may be limited, or the hire period may only be approved for a short time.
This is one reason why many eligible not-at-fault drivers choose to use a not-at-fault accident management service like I’m In The Right.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, the situation can become more complicated because there may not be an insurer available to recover costs from.
In these situations, not-at-fault drivers are generally not eligible for services through I’m In The Right, as the process relies on recovering hire car and associated costs from the at-fault party’s insurer.
However, it’s important to understand that this is different from situations where the not-at-fault driver themselves does not have insurance. Even if you are uninsured, you may still be eligible for support through I’m In The Right if the other driver was at fault and insured.
The key factor is usually whether the at-fault party has valid insurance and whether liability can be reasonably established.
Understanding Fault and How It Affects Your Options
Fault plays a central role in determining what happens after a car accident. In Australia, if another driver caused the collision, they — or more specifically their insurer — are generally responsible for the reasonable costs associated with the damage.
This can include vehicle repairs, property damage, and, in many not-at-fault situations, the reasonable cost of a replacement vehicle while your car is off the road. This is why services like I’m In The Right recover hire car costs from the at-fault party’s insurer for eligible drivers.
Because of this, identifying fault correctly and gathering the right information at the scene is extremely important. Details such as photos, witness information, dashcam footage, and driver details can all help support how liability is assessed.
Even if fault is not immediately clear, seeking guidance early can help prevent delays and ensure the situation is assessed properly.
Will You Have to Pay an Excess if You’re Not at Fault?
In many cases, if you’re clearly not at fault and can provide the at-fault driver’s details, you may not need to pay an excess.
However, if you choose to go through your own insurer, some policies require you to pay the excess upfront. This is often refunded later once fault is confirmed and costs are recovered. To learn more, read our guide: Do I Have to Pay Excess If It’s Not My Fault?
By contrast, eligible drivers using a not-at-fault accident management service typically avoid upfront hire car costs altogether, as these are pursued directly from the at-fault insurer rather than charged to you.
Understanding how excess works in your specific policy can help you decide which pathway is best for your situation.
Can You Still Drive Your Car After the Accident?
Whether you can continue driving depends on the extent of the damage.
If the damage is minor and doesn’t affect safety—such as superficial scratches—you may be able to drive the vehicle temporarily. However, if there are issues affecting:
- Steering or braking
- Structural integrity
- Lights or visibility
then the vehicle should not be driven.
When in doubt, it’s safer to have the vehicle assessed by a professional before continuing to use it.
What Happens If Your Car Is Not Drivable?
If your vehicle is too damaged to drive, your priority should be arranging safe transport and preventing further damage.
This typically involves:
- Organising a tow truck to move the vehicle
- Ensuring it is taken to a repairer or secure location
- Beginning the process of assessment and repair as soon as possible
Not-at-fault drivers who are eligible for a replacement vehicle, can also receive support with towing and transport from the scene of the accident, (e.g. via an uber) to their work or home. I’m in the Right will provide them with a vehicle while their car is being assessed and repaired.
When and Why You Should Contact I’m In The Right
Once you’ve confirmed that you were not at fault and gathered the necessary details, the next step is deciding how to proceed.
Contacting I’m In The Right early can help reduce common delays and confusion. We verify the accident details, confirm eligibility, and, once approved, a replacement vehicle can often be dispatched within 15 minutes, with delivery available directly to your location. Vehicles that are not drivable following the accident are generally prioritised, as immediate transport is often essential for work, family, and daily responsibilities.
From there, we handle the administrative side of the process, including liaising with the at-fault driver’s insurer and coordinating next steps. This reduces the need for you to chase updates or manage multiple parties during an already stressful time.
Why Not-at-Fault Drivers Use I’m In The Right for Their Hire Car
Although some not-at-fault drivers choose to go through their own comprehensive insurer or contact the at-fault driver’s insurer directly, many drivers prefer not to rely on insurers for their hire car needs.
One of the primary reasons is that hire car options available through insurers can sometimes come with limitations, e.g. insurers may only offer vehicles from a limited fleet which may not be similar to the driver’s own vehicle. For example, a driver who owns a luxury vehicle, ute, SUV, or commercial vehicle may be offered a car that doesn’t meet their needs, e.g. a small sedan
Another reason is a restriction on the hire duration. Some insurers may only approve a hire car for a limited time, such as two weeks, even if the damaged vehicle is still being repaired. In reality, repairs can sometimes take much longer due to panel shop delays, assessment processes, or issues with parts availability, especially when parts need to be sourced from overseas.
This is why not-at-fault drivers choose I’m In The Right for their replacement vehicle needs. The service is designed to reduce disruption after an accident and help drivers stay mobile while their vehicle is being repaired or their claim is being resolved.
Eligible drivers may be able to benefit from:
- No hire car costs
- Like-for-like replacement vehicles
- Access to luxury, SUV, family, and commercial replacement vehicles where applicable
- Flexible hire periods while their vehicle remains off the road
Assistance with towing, repairs, paperwork, liaison with the at-fault driver’s insurer and hire cost recovery. For many drivers, the goal is not just getting any replacement vehicle but getting back on the road with a suitable car that supports their everyday routine with as little disruption as possible.
How Long Repairs and Claims Typically Take
The timeframe for repairs and claims can vary depending on several factors, including:
- The extent of the damage
- Availability of parts
- Repairer workload
- Whether fault is clearly established or disputed
Minor repairs may take days, while more significant damage can take weeks or longer.
In some cases, delays can occur because repairers are heavily booked, assessments take time, or replacement parts need to be sourced locally or from overseas. This is one reason why arranging suitable transport during the repair period becomes an important consideration for many drivers.
Understanding that repair timelines are not always predictable can help set realistic expectations after an accident and reduce frustration during the claims process.
What to Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car
If your parked car has been hit, the steps are slightly different but follow the same general principles—check for damage, gather evidence, and try to identify the other driver. If a note has been left, contact them as soon as possible and keep a record of everything. If the driver cannot be identified, you may need to report the incident to police and proceed through insurance.
For a complete step-by-step guide, you can read our guide on what to do when someone hits your parked car in Australia.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
Even small mistakes after an accident can lead to delays, disputes, or unexpected costs. Some of the most common include:
- Not collecting complete details from the other driver
- Forgetting to take photos or gather evidence
- Admitting fault at the scene without full information
- Delaying action, which can complicate claims
- Relying solely on assumptions rather than documented facts
Avoiding these missteps helps protect your position and ensures the process runs as smoothly as possible.
Final Steps: Getting Back on the Road Quickly and Stress-Free
After an accident, the main priorities are repairing your vehicle, managing the claims process properly, and maintaining reliable transport while your car is off the road.
As discussed earlier, eligible not-at-fault drivers may be able to access a like-for-like replacement vehicle through I’m In The Right while repairs and insurer communications are being managed.
If you’re unsure what to do after an accident, you can contact us 24/7 for guidance about your situation and available options.
