Let’s start with the most important thing: no one was injured. The second item of note: I was in a car accident on the highway on Wednesday night where a young woman rear-ended me, pushing my car into another car. Both of our cars still start, but neither are drivable, so I’m hanging out with a sporty little rental until further notice.
Though this was a fairly common accident and not as serious as it could have been, I was completely shaken up by the experience. I had never gone through an accident as one of the drivers before, and navigating the post-accident process helped me learn a couple things. These lessons might be obvious to some of you who have owned a car for awhile or been involved in accidents in the past, but I hope they’re helpful for anyone who has to go through this in the future.
1. When you call or text people, police included, to tell them about the accident, it helps to start with, “everyone is ok,” or “no one is injured.” (Obviously only if this is true.)
Beginning with something reassuring is especially helpful if you might cry hysterically a little (just a little; it was unexpected) during the conversation. I did this once (reporting an issue, not crying) when I was working at summer camp and had to call a camper’s parents because she was ill–after our conversation, they specifically thanked me for beginning with reassurance.
2. If another driver is at fault, you can file a claim through their insurance to avoid paying your deductible.
This is probably a “duh” lesson for many car owners, but I had never been in an accident before and immediately turned to my insurance company to help me navigate the process. They were fantastic and helpful, which has always been the case (shoutout to Chris Hoskinson State Farm if you’re in Chicago!), but if I had pursued my claim through them I would’ve had to pay my deductible and wait for reimbursement–if the other driver had good/reputable insurance.
If the other driver is uninsured or insured through a company with less than stellar reviews, filing a claim through your insurance company might be your best bet, so they can do all of the negotiating and prosecution for you. You’ll have to pay your deductible but will (fingers crossed) be reimbursed eventually.
Sidenote: this is what emergency funds are for. When I thought I’d have to pony up $500, I was less than thrilled, but at least I could do it with no notice.
3. Shock comes in waves.
After the double impact, when I finally looked up, I was definitely in shock. Despite going through all the motions of talking to the other drivers, calling the police, calling insurance, etc., I was on an autopilot setting that immediately broke down as soon as I was alone. Something about the rush of adrenaline and the physical shock left me emotional and exhausted for the rest of the night and next day. I’m looking forward to having a weekend to get even more sleep and relax.
4. Don’t engage in those risky driving behaviors that you know are risky.
All three cars involved were following the speed of traffic (about 40-50mph) and the impact came out of the blue. Regardless of what was going with the driver that hit me, this was a serious reminder to avoid some all-too-common distracted driving behaviors: texting, talking on a cell phone (legal in many places with a bluetooth, but if you know it distracts you, don’t!), following another car too closely, etc. Drive safe!
5. People are generally awesome.
“Be very gentle with yourself. If you feel like crying do it, for example. Rest and hot baths with Celtic sea salt. It was a shock, a jolt. Let the shock waves flow out not in. <3″
And I did all of those things, minus the sea salt and plus icing my neck and knee to prevent swelling.
I also came home the next day to packages from one of my best friends and from the talented Jen Moulton–two packages that were not at all related to the accident, but made me squeal with joy and pick my spirits up out of the dumps. Good friends, sweet cards, cool zines and beautiful jewelry will do that to you.
Have you ever been in a car accident? Do you have recommendations or tips that we should shout from the rooftops?
6. Document Everything
After the police arrived and we exchanged information, I was still shaking, but I remembered to take photos of both cars, the intersection, and the other driver's license and insurance card. This turned out to be crucial because the other driver's account of what happened differed from mine. The photos helped the insurance adjusters determine fault quickly.
If you're in an accident, try to document as much as you can: take pictures of the damage, the license plates, the surrounding area, any skid marks, and even the weather conditions. Also, jot down a quick note of what happened while it's fresh in your memory. I typed a summary on my phone before the adrenaline wore off, and that came in handy when I had to fill out the claim form later.
7. Navigating the Insurance Maze
Once I filed the claim with the other driver's insurance company, I quickly learned that the process is not as straightforward as I hoped. There were phone calls, emails, and a lot of waiting. My biggest tip: keep a record of every interaction. I created a folder in my email just for accident-related messages, and I wrote down the name of every representative I spoke with, along with the date and a brief summary. This saved me when there was a mix-up about who was supposed to schedule the damage inspection.
Also, don't hesitate to follow up. Insurance companies handle thousands of claims, and yours is just one of many. A polite nudge can keep things moving. I found that calling first thing in the morning got me faster responses than emailing.
8. Check for Hidden Injuries
Adrenaline is a powerful drug. In the moment, I felt fine—just a little rattled. But the next day, my neck was stiff and my knee was swollen. I'm glad I had iced them immediately, as a friend suggested, but I also called my doctor to get checked out. Even if you feel okay, it's worth getting a medical evaluation. Some injuries, like whiplash or soft tissue damage, can take days to appear.
This is where your health really matters. Taking care of your body after an accident is just as important as any other fitness or self-care practice. Don't push through pain; listen to your body and give it time to heal. I took a few days off from my usual workouts and focused on gentle stretching and rest, which helped me recover faster.
9. Emotional Recovery and Self-Care
I mentioned that shock comes in waves, and those waves lasted longer than I expected. A week later, I still felt anxious when driving on the highway. I had to remind myself to be patient. If you're going through something similar, know that it's normal to feel a range of emotions—fear, anger, relief, gratitude. Give yourself permission to process them.
One thing that helped me was talking about it. I called my mom, texted my friends, and even wrote this blog post. Sharing the experience took some of its power away. I also made a point to do things that brought me comfort: cooking my favorite meals, taking warm baths, and getting extra sleep. If you need more structured support, consider talking to a counselor or therapist; there's no shame in seeking help after a traumatic event.
10. Review Your Insurance Before You Need It
While I was lucky to have a good insurance agent, I realized I hadn't actually reviewed my policy in years. I didn't know what my deductible was, what rental car coverage I had (if any), or how the claims process worked until I was in the thick of it. My advice: take 15 minutes this week to read through your policy or call your agent with questions. Understanding your coverage before an accident can save you a lot of stress later.
Also, check if your credit card offers rental car insurance. If you pay for the rental with certain cards, they may cover damage to the rental vehicle, which can save you from paying for the rental company's expensive insurance. I didn't know this until after I'd already declined the extra coverage—luckily, my own car insurance extended to the rental, but not everyone's does.