The first few minutes after a car accident determine how smoothly everything goes afterward. After more than 40 years of repairing collision damage at our Bedford, MA shop, I’ve seen what happens when drivers handle those minutes well and what happens when they don’t. This guide covers the steps that matter most from the perspective of someone who sees the repair side of accidents every day.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Move to Safety

Before thinking about the vehicle, check yourself and your passengers. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. If the vehicles are drivable and traffic allows, move them to the shoulder or a parking lot. Massachusetts law requires drivers to move vehicles out of travel lanes when possible after a non-injury accident.

Step 2: Document the Scene Thoroughly

Your phone is the most important tool at the scene. Take photos of all vehicles involved from multiple angles, including close-ups of every damaged area. Photograph the license plates, the surrounding road, traffic signs, and any skid marks. Get a wide shot showing the positions of the vehicles relative to each other. This documentation becomes critical during the insurance claim process.

Exchange insurance information, names, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers with the other driver. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well.

Step 3: File a Police Report

In Massachusetts, you must file a crash report with the Registry of Motor Vehicles within 5 days if the accident caused injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. Given that even a minor bumper repair typically exceeds $1,000, most accidents require a report. File one regardless — it creates an official record your insurance company will use.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Provide the documentation you gathered at the scene. Your insurer will assign a claim number and explain your coverage. If the other driver was at fault, their insurer handles the claim, but starting with your own company protects your interests if fault is disputed.

Step 5: Choose Your Own Body Shop

This is where many drivers make a costly mistake. Your insurance company may recommend a “preferred shop” from their network. Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to choose any licensed body shop for your repair — and your insurer must pay the claim regardless of which shop you select. Preferred shop lists exist for the insurer’s convenience, not yours.

When choosing a shop, look for these indicators: I-CAR training or Gold Class certification, ASE-certified technicians, experience with your vehicle make, and willingness to work directly with your insurance carrier on the claim. A good shop will handle the estimate, the insurer communication, and the repair timeline so you don’t have to manage the process yourself.

Step 6: Get a Written Estimate Before Authorizing Work

Any reputable body shop will provide a free written estimate that itemizes the repair scope: parts, labor, paint, and any structural work. Compare this to the insurance adjuster’s estimate. If the shop identifies hidden damage during disassembly that wasn’t in the original estimate, they should file a supplement with your insurer before proceeding.

Step 7: Understand the Repair Timeline

Minor collision repairs — a bumper replacement, a fender repaint — typically take 2 to 3 business days. Frame straightening adds time because the structural alignment must be verified with computerized measurements. A full collision repair involving multiple panels, frame work, and a complete refinish can take 1 to 2 weeks. Your shop should give you a timeline estimate before work begins and update you if it changes.

What Most Drivers Don’t Realize

The biggest mistake I see is drivers waiting weeks or months to address collision damage. Minor dents with cracked paint let moisture reach bare metal, and in Massachusetts, that moisture includes road salt for five months of the year. A $500 repair in March becomes a $1,500 repair by November because rust has spread underneath the damaged panel. Address collision damage promptly.