The First Minutes After a Pennsylvania Car Accident
A car accident can happen in an instant, but the decisions you make in the minutes and hours afterward can significantly impact your insurance claim, your legal rights, and your financial recovery. Pennsylvania drivers in Croydon, Bensalem, Levittown, Bristol, and Burlington need to know exactly what to do — and what to avoid — after a collision. The PennDOT crash reporting guide outlines your legal obligations after an accident.
Step 1: Ensure Safety First
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move anyone who is seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic to avoid secondary accidents. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Step 2: Call the Police
Pennsylvania law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to local police. Even for minor accidents, having a police report creates an official record that is invaluable for insurance claims. When police arrive, provide factual information about what happened, but do not speculate or admit fault.
Step 3: Document Everything and Exchange Information
- Use your smartphone to photograph all vehicles involved, the accident scene, any visible damage, skid marks, traffic signs, and road conditions
- Get the other driver's full name, contact information, driver's license number, insurance company and policy number, and license plate number
- If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well
- File a crash report with PennDOT if required
Step 4: Do NOT Admit Fault
Do not say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. Pennsylvania is a comparative negligence state, meaning fault can be shared between drivers, and any admission you make can be used against you. The PA Insurance Department's claims guide explains your rights after an accident.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident, ideally within 24 hours. Provide them with the information you collected and cooperate with their investigation. Be honest and thorough in your description of the accident.
How an Accident Affects Your Insurance Rates
An at-fault accident in Pennsylvania typically increases your insurance premium by 30–50% at renewal. The surcharge usually lasts for three to five years. At Jordan's Auto Tags in Croydon, we work with multiple carriers and can help you find better rates after an accident. Walk in at 721 Bristol Pike or call (215) 826-9890 — we serve drivers throughout Bensalem, Levittown, Bristol, Burlington, and Bucks County.