If You're in a Crash: What the Law Requires

A crash is disorienting, but the steps afterward are not a mystery — stop, help, exchange information, and clear the road if it's safe.

Learner's permitAll U.S. states

⏱️ About 12 min

Even careful drivers can end up in a crash. The moments right after are stressful, but the required steps are simple and consistent: stop, make sure everyone is safe, exchange information, and — if you can do it safely — get the vehicles out of traffic.

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The big idea: Every U.S. state requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, help anyone who's injured, and exchange information — leaving the scene is a crime everywhere. What varies by state is the exact reporting threshold and penalty.

🎯 By the end, you'll be able to

Explain why leaving the scene of a crash is illegal, no matter who caused it
List the information you're expected to exchange with the other driver
Decide when it's safe to move a vehicle out of a traffic lane after a crash
Recognize that crash-reporting thresholds and penalties vary by state

Step 1: Stop — always

Stop immediately, no matter how minor the crash feels or who you think caused it. Driving away from a crash is commonly called hit-and-run, and it's illegal in every U.S. state — even for a crash involving only a parked or unattended vehicle or property damage. In that case, try to locate the owner, and if you can't, leave a note with your name and contact information at the scene.

🗺️ Hit-and-run penalties vary by state

Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime nationwide, but whether it's treated as a lesser or more serious offense — and the exact penalty — depends on the state and on whether anyone was injured. Check your state's driver handbook for the specifics where you live.

Step 2: Check for injuries and call for help

Check yourself and everyone else involved. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if there's serious damage, or if the crash is blocking traffic. Avoid moving an injured person unless there's an immediate danger like fire, since movement can sometimes worsen an injury. Turn on your hazard flashers right away so approaching traffic can see you.

Step 3: Exchange information

With the other driver(s) involved, exchange:

Full name and contact information
Driver's license number
License plate and vehicle registration
Insurance company and policy number

If there are witnesses nearby, it's worth getting their contact information too — and photographing the vehicle positions, damage, plates, and road conditions can help everyone sort out the details later.

Step 4: Get out of traffic — if it's safe

If the vehicles are still driveable, no one is injured, and moving them can be done safely, getting them out of a live traffic lane and onto the shoulder helps prevent a second crash. Keep your hazard flashers on, and set out warning triangles or flares once you're clear of the vehicle, if you have them.

🗺️ Whether — and when — to move the vehicles varies

Expectations about moving vehicles before police arrive (sometimes called a 'move it' law) differ by state and by how serious the crash is. When in doubt, the universal priority is getting people out of live traffic lanes safely; confirm your state's exact expectation in its driver handbook.

Step 5: Reporting the crash

Beyond the steps above, many states require you to file a report with police and/or the state's motor vehicle agency once a crash passes a certain threshold — typically based on the dollar amount of damage, or whether anyone was injured or killed.

🗺️ Reporting thresholds vary by state

The exact dollar amount and/or the injury/death threshold that triggers a mandatory report — and who you report it to — varies from state to state. Confirm the specific number for your state in its driver handbook.

Check your understanding

1. You bump a parked, unattended car in a lot and there's no owner in sight. What should you do?

Driving away without trying to notify the owner is treated as leaving the scene. Try to locate the owner, and if you can't, leave your contact information.

2. What information should you exchange with the other driver after a crash?

You're expected to exchange full name and contact information, license number, plate/registration, and insurance company and policy number.

3. After a minor crash with no injuries, both cars still drive. What's generally recommended if it can be done safely?

When it's safe to do so, getting driveable vehicles out of a live traffic lane helps prevent a second crash. Some states have specific expectations here, so check yours.

4. Does every U.S. state require crashes to be reported to police or the DMV?

Most states require a report once damage or injury passes a set threshold, but the exact number and process differ by state.

✅ Key takeaways

Always stop after a crash, no matter how minor — leaving the scene is illegal in every state.
Check for injuries, call 911 when needed, and turn on your hazard flashers.
Exchange name, license number, plate/registration, and insurance information with the other driver.
If it's safe and the vehicles are driveable, moving them out of a traffic lane helps prevent a second crash.
Reporting thresholds (dollar amount, injury) vary by state — confirm the specifics for yours.

➡️ Not every emergency is a crash — sometimes the car itself just stops working. Next: how to handle a breakdown or stall safely, and what belongs in a basic roadside emergency kit.

Frequently asked questions

What should you do immediately after a car crash?

Stop the vehicle, check yourself and others for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and turn on your hazard flashers. Leaving the scene without stopping is illegal everywhere in the U.S.

Do you have to report every car accident to the police?

Most states only require a report once damage or injury passes a certain threshold. That threshold varies by state, so check your state's driver handbook for the exact number.

Is it legal to move your car after a crash?

In many cases, yes — if the vehicles are driveable, no one is injured, and it can be done safely, moving them out of a traffic lane helps prevent a second crash. Some states have specific 'move it' expectations, so confirm yours.

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Independent educational content — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any state DMV, the AAMVA, or any government agency. This is study material, not legal advice; always confirm current rules with your state's official driver handbook.