What to Do After a Car Accident in NSW: Step by Step

A car accident scrambles your thinking, even when you walk away feeling okay. The decisions you make in the first hours and days can affect both your health and your CTP entitlements for months afterward. Here's a practical order of operations.

1. Make the scene safe

Check yourself and your passengers. Turn your hazard lights on. If vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic, move them to the shoulder; if not, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on until help arrives. If anyone is seriously hurt, unconscious, or trapped, call 000 immediately.

2. Get medically assessed, even if you feel fine

Adrenaline masks pain. Many soft-tissue injuries — whiplash, disc issues, concussion symptoms — don't show up until the next day or later in the week. A medical assessment as soon as you can (ideally within 48 hours) does two things: it catches injuries early, and it creates a dated clinical record linking your symptoms to the accident, which matters a great deal for a CTP claim later. Where you can, a doctor experienced with CTP claims — and physio, psychology or other allied health if it's needed — helps make sure that record, and your first Certificate of Fitness, is as useful as possible. See doctors and allied health for CTP claims.

3. Photograph everything you safely can

Before vehicles are moved or towed, photograph the damage to all vehicles from multiple angles, the road layout, traffic signs, skid marks, and conditions. Include a wide shot of the intersection or road, and close-ups of damage. If you have visible injuries, photograph those too — but never put yourself at risk to get a photo.

4. Exchange details and get a police event number

Swap names, phone numbers, licence numbers and registration plates with every driver involved, and get contact details from any witnesses. In NSW, you generally need to report the accident to police if anyone is injured, a driver leaves the scene without exchanging details, or a vehicle needs towing — call 000 in an emergency, otherwise the Police Assistance Line (131 444) or a police station. For a CTP claim, report it promptly. Keep the event number safe; you'll need it for your claim.

5. Be careful what you say — and what you post

Be cautious about admitting fault at the scene; insurers look at evidence, not politeness, but what you say can still become part of the record. Avoid posting about the accident on social media altogether — even an innocent “feeling fine!” post can be taken out of context later. Keep your recovery private until your matter is resolved.

6. Notify the CTP insurer early

You generally have up to 3 months to lodge a CTP claim, but the insurer needs it within 28 days for weekly payments to be back-paid to the day after the accident. Don't wait until you have every document — early notification starts your file and helps get treatment approvals moving. See our guide to the Application for Personal Injury Benefits.

7. Know when to get legal advice

Most people don't need a lawyer on day one. But if liability is disputed, you've lost someone in the accident, you were injured while driving for work, or your injuries look serious, an early conversation with a specialist CTP lawyer can help you understand entitlements you might not otherwise know about. Our free claim check has no obligation.