Written by Kylie Sheridan
Springfield, MA · Local Auto Insurance
Nobody reads this article at the scene of an accident. Read it now, so the important parts are already in your head when you need them.
What do I do at the scene?
Check for injuries first and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move vehicles out of traffic if they’re drivable and it’s safe. Exchange the essentials with the other driver: name, contact, license, plate, insurance company and policy number. Photograph everything — vehicle positions, damage on all cars, the roadway, signage, and the other driver’s documents. Get contact information for witnesses. Don’t argue fault at the scene and don’t apologize reflexively; just document.
Do I have to report the accident?
In Massachusetts, you must file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within five days if the accident caused injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 — which describes most real collisions. The form goes to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the local police department, and your insurer. (Yes, we help our clients with this paperwork. Registry forms are sort of our thing.)
When do I call my insurance company — or my agent?
Promptly. Late reporting is one of the most common ways claims get complicated. If you work with an independent agency, call your agent first: we’ll confirm what your policy covers before you’re on the phone with an adjuster, help you file, and know which coverages apply — PIP for injuries regardless of fault, collision for your car, rental reimbursement if you carry it.
What if the other driver is uninsured or leaves the scene?
This is what uninsured motorist coverage exists for — it’s one of the four coverages Massachusetts requires, and hit-and-run scenarios are typically handled under it. Report a hit-and-run to police immediately; that report matters for the claim.
Will my rate go up?
It depends on fault determination, your carrier, and your history. An at-fault accident generally affects your rate at renewal; a not-at-fault accident often doesn’t, but the rules are carrier-specific. This is another moment an independent agent helps: if your renewal jumps, we re-shop it across the market.
Keep this checklist in your glovebox mentally — and if you’re sorting out coverage before you need it, get a free policy review or call us at (413) 444-1200.