What Should You Do When Your Car Is Involved in an Accident?

[LaBethany]

First, get out of the car and show concern for the injured party without any blame. However, do not move or touch an injured person who cannot get up. Take photos of the scene. A single photo should include the position of the injured party + the vehicle's position + lane divider markings as reference. If it's not possible to capture the entire scene in one shot, take two separate photos: one of the injured party + lane divider markings, and another of the vehicle's position + lane divider markings. If the injured party cannot move, make sure the vehicle remains in its original position, call 110, and avoid discussing fault with the other party before the police arrive. While waiting, continue to verbally care for the injured party (but remember not to perform any first aid—if the injuries are severe, call 120 for emergency assistance). When the police arrive, do not argue about fault with the other party. Only do two things: explain the situation (without stating your personal opinion on fault) and submit the accident photos. Let the police determine fault. It’s inevitable that your license or vehicle may be impounded in cases involving injuries. Carefully read the impound notice and keep the vehicle impound receipt. Follow the police's instructions to take the injured party to the hospital, but try to avoid paying any expenses upfront. If the injured party’s family arrives, inform them that the vehicle has been impounded by traffic police and that you have insurance. Exchange phone numbers and get the contact details of the other party. Remind the injured party to keep all medical invoices and not to use their health insurance card (hospitals generally know that expenses from traffic accidents are not covered by insurance). If the injured party continues to press for payment, politely inform them that you are not carrying cash and firmly state, "I will not pay any expenses before the accident liability is determined." If the police try to mediate, stick to your principles and focus on leaving the situation as soon as possible. Notify your insurance company and record the case number. The next day, call the injured party to check on them but avoid visiting the hospital. Arrange a mediation time over the phone. Mediation principles: Respect the traffic police’s decision on fault. Never accept a proposal to shift partial liability to full liability for insurance purposes. Remember, if an agreement isn’t reached, you can go home and discuss it before trying again. For cases involving disability or large compensation claims, consider hiring a lawyer. First, obtain the accident liability determination document to retrieve your vehicle or license. The mediation agreement can wait. Let the injured party focus on treatment, but emphasize that once they are discharged, you will not be responsible for further issues. Take your car to a 4S shop for damage assessment and repairs, paying the costs yourself (if you must pay, pay your own expenses). Keep the accident liability determination document, damage assessment report, repair list, and invoices. Once the injured party completes treatment, arrange a mediation session at the traffic police station. If the compensation falls within the insurance company’s coverage, settle it on the spot. Medical expenses = (medical record card + discharge summary + expense list + invoices). Transportation costs = (transportation invoices). Disability compensation = (disability assessment report). Lost wages = (income proof, preferably tax records—an employer-stamped income proof is weaker without tax records). Additional costs like nutrition fees and follow-up treatment should be calculated by the traffic police and listed in the mediation agreement. If all required documents are provided, exchange them for cash. If the other party demands compensation beyond the insurance company’s coverage (insurance payment and mediation are separate—do not say in front of the police that you’ll pay whatever the insurance covers), politely inform them that they can file a lawsuit if the difference exceeds 3,000 yuan.

[AngeloFitz]

That day I was chatting with a friend about car accidents, and my personal experience tells you, don’t panic when an accident happens. The first thing is to ensure safety—I immediately stopped the car, turned on the hazard lights, pulled the handbrake, and turned off the engine to prevent a secondary accident. If someone is injured, call 120 for help immediately, and don’t move the injured person yourself. The second step is to call the police—I dialed 110 or 122 and waited for the officers to handle the scene, describing the location and situation clearly. Next, exchange information—I noted the license plate numbers, contact details, and driver’s licenses with the other driver. For minor scratches, I used my phone to take photos of the damage, license plates, and the surrounding environment as evidence for insurance claims. Then, I contacted the insurance company to report the accident and filled out the forms as instructed. Throughout the process, it’s important to stay calm. I remember one minor accident where I was so flustered I almost said the wrong thing and was later warned for illegal parking. In short, safety comes first—don’t argue about who’s right or wrong on the spot, leave it to the professionals.