Nobody plans to have an accident. But when you're driving 200+ kilometres a day, in and out of tight streets, reversing into driveways, and sharing the road with distracted motorists — the odds aren't in your favour. Most experienced couriers will have at least one incident over their career. What matters is how you handle it. The first 10 minutes after a crash can make the difference between a smooth insurance claim and a drawn-out nightmare.
Immediately After the Accident
Stop. This is a legal requirement. Leaving the scene of an accident — even a minor one — is a criminal offence. Pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and turn off the engine.
Check for injuries. Check yourself, any passengers, and the other party. If anyone is injured, call 000 immediately. Do not move an injured person unless they're in immediate danger (e.g., a vehicle fire).
Move to safety. If the vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic, move them to the side of the road. If they're not drivable, stay in or near your vehicle with hazard lights on until help arrives. According to the Queensland Government car accident guide, you should make the scene as safe as possible for other road users.
Call emergency services (000) if anyone is injured, if the other driver leaves without exchanging details, if you suspect the other driver is under the influence, or if the damage is significant. In Queensland, you must report any accident involving injury or tow-away damage.
Collect Information
Exchange details with the other party: name, address, phone number, licence number, vehicle registration, and insurance details. Get the same details from any witnesses. If the other driver won't provide details, note their registration number and call police.
Take photos. Photograph everything: both vehicles from multiple angles, damage close-ups, the road and surroundings, skid marks, traffic signs, and weather conditions. Take a wide shot showing the relative positions of both vehicles. These photos are critical for insurance claims and for determining fault.
Dashcam footage: If you have a dashcam (and you should), save the footage immediately. Don't let it loop-record over the incident. Some dashcams have a "save" button that locks the current clip.
Reporting
Call your supervisor. Report the accident to your company immediately — from the scene if possible. They need to know about vehicle damage, potential delays to your run, and whether you need a replacement van. Don't try to hide a minor scrape — it always comes out later and looks worse when it does.
File an incident report. Most companies have a formal accident report process. Complete it as soon as possible while details are fresh. Be factual — describe what happened, don't assign blame or speculate.
Contact your insurer. If you're an owner-driver, notify your insurance company within 24 hours. Even if you don't plan to claim, reporting the incident protects you if the other party makes a claim later. For employed drivers, your company's fleet insurance should handle this — but confirm with your supervisor.