What to do after a car accident in Massachusetts
Accidents are stressful. Here’s exactly what to do after getting into one.
Check for injuries.
Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.
Do not try to move anyone who may have a serious injury.
Move to safety.
If the accident is minor and the vehicles are drivable, move them out of traffic.
If your vehicle is not drivable, call a tow truck and let your carrier know.
Call the police.
In Massachusetts, you are required to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
When in doubt, call.
A police report protects you.
Exchange information.
Get the following from the other driver:
- Name and phone number
- Driver's license number
- License plate
- Insurance company and policy number
Be ready to provide your own license, registration, and insurance information in return.
Do not discuss fault at the scene.
Document everything.
- Photos of all vehicles and damage
- Weather and road conditions
- Road signage and traffic controls
- Time and location of the accident
- Names and contact info of any witnesses
Notify your carrier.
Report the accident to your carrier as soon as possible, even if you were not at fault.
Delaying a claim can complicate the process.
File a crash report.
Massachusetts law requires you to file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within 5 days if the accident involves injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
This applies even if police responded to the scene.
Three copies must be submitted. One to the RMV, one to the local police department where the crash occurred, and one to your insurance carrier.
Contact Nobile.
Already a Nobile client? Call or email us and we'll walk you through the next steps.
Not insured with us yet? Now may be a good time to talk.
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Car Accident FAQs
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It is the official form Massachusetts requires you to file after any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
You’ll need to submit three copies within 5 days of the accident:
One copy to the RMV
One copy to the local police department where the crash occurred.
One copy to your insurance carrier.
You can download the form directly from the Massachusetts RMV website.
(URL opens in new tab.)
This requirement applies even if police responded to the scene and filed their own report.
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No, not every accident, but most. Under Massachusetts law, you are required to report any accident that involves injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. That threshold is lower than most people think. When in doubt, report it.
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Even minor accidents can trigger the reporting requirement. Given today's repair costs, damage that looks small at the scene can easily exceed $1,000 once a shop gets a look at it. If there’s any question, file the report. It protects you.
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Property damage alone is enough to require reporting if it exceeds $1,000. You still need to exchange information with the other driver, notify your carrier, and file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within 5 days if the damage threshold is met.
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That’s exactly what your Uninsured Motorist coverage is for. Massachusetts requires all drivers to carry it, and it steps in to cover your medical expenses and damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance. It also applies in hit-and-run situations where the other driver cannot be identified.
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It depends on the circumstances. If you were not at fault, your rates may not increase at all. If you were at fault, your SDIP score will likely be affected and your premium may go up at renewal.
If you have Accident Forgiveness coverage on your policy, that may protect your premium after a first at-fault accident. Ask us about it.
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Do not chase them. Write down as much as you can, like the make, model, color, and any part of the plate number.
Take photos of the scene and any damage.
Call the police immediately.
Hit-and-run accidents are treated as uninsured motorist claims in Massachusetts, so your Uninsured Motorist coverage is your primary protection.
Law enforcement must accept crash reports for hit-and-run accidents even if the damage is under $1,000.