A car accident is disorienting even when no one is hurt. The decisions you make in the first 30 minutes can affect your insurance claim, your safety, and how quickly you're back on the road. Here's a step-by-step guide we walk customers through every week at our four Inland Empire collision centers.
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Don't try to move someone who may have a neck or back injury unless they're in immediate danger from fire or traffic.
If your car is drivable and you're blocking traffic on a busy road, move to the shoulder or the nearest parking lot. California Vehicle Code §20002 actually requires you to move out of the lane of traffic when you can do so safely.
2. Call the police
Even for minor fender-benders, get a police report on file. It documents the scene, the parties involved, and any witness statements — and your insurance company will ask for the report number when you file the claim. In most cities in the Inland Empire, dispatch will send an officer within 20–30 minutes.
If the other driver suggests "handling it without insurance" or offers cash on the spot, politely decline. Damage that looks like a $400 bumper scuff often turns out to be a $3,000 structural repair once the fascia is removed.
3. Document everything
While you wait for the officer:
- Take photos of both vehicles from multiple angles — wide shots showing position, then close-ups of the damage.
- Photograph license plates, insurance cards, and driver's licenses.
- Note the street, cross-street, time, weather, and traffic conditions.
- If there are witnesses, get names and phone numbers.
- Take a photo of any road debris, skid marks, or property damage (signs, fences, planters).
This documentation is gold when an insurance adjuster is comparing your story to the other driver's six weeks later.
4. Exchange information — calmly
You only need a few things from the other driver:
- Name and phone number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver's license number
- Make, model, and license plate of their vehicle
Do not admit fault, apologize, or speculate about who caused the crash. That's the adjuster's job. Stick to facts.
5. Call your insurance company
You can do this from the scene or on the way home. Most carriers have a 24-hour claims line and a mobile app that lets you upload your photos directly. They'll give you a claim number — write it down.
If you'd prefer, you can also call us first and we'll walk you through the claim process. We work directly with every major carrier (State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, Mercury, AAA, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Travelers, Farmers) and can coordinate with your adjuster on your behalf.
6. Choose your repair shop
You have the right to pick any shop you want. California Insurance Code §758.5 prohibits your carrier from steering you to a specific shop. Some carriers will suggest a "direct repair" facility — those shops are convenient for the carrier, but they're contractually obligated to hit the carrier's repair-cost targets. That can mean used parts where new ones are warranted, or skipped procedures.
When picking a shop, look for:
- I-CAR Gold Class certification — the highest training standard in the industry
- OEM certifications for your make (Tesla, Honda, Ford, GM, etc.)
- A written limited lifetime warranty on workmanship
- CCC ONE estimating — the same system your insurance company uses, which speeds up approvals
7. Drop your car off and breathe
Once you've picked a shop, the process is simple: drop the car off, sign the repair authorization, and the shop handles the rest. A good shop will:
- Photograph and document the damage from every angle
- Write the initial estimate in CCC ONE
- Communicate with your adjuster on supplements
- Order parts and schedule the repair
- Call you with updates at every milestone
At All Magic we offer free pick-up and drop-off within our service area, and we'll text you photo updates so you know exactly where your car is in the repair process.
What about the rental car?
If you have rental coverage, your carrier will set you up with Enterprise or Hertz the same day. If you don't, ask the at-fault driver's carrier about a "loss of use" rental — they're often required to cover one.
Bottom line
Stay calm, document everything, get a police report, pick your own shop, and let the certified team handle the rest. If you're ever in an accident in Norco, Fontana, Moreno Valley, or Eastvale, call us at (800) 616-2442 — even before you call insurance. We'll help you figure out the next move.
