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Indiana driving guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
What to Do After a Car Accident in Indiana
A crash is stressful, and knowing the rules ahead of time helps. Here is what the Indiana Driver's Manual from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says drivers must and should do after an accident, including when to move your car, what to exchange and what to do if you hit a parked car.
Stopat or near the scene
Exchangename, address, registration
Notifypolice if anyone is hurt
COCproof of insurance on BMV request
The short answer
In Indiana, stop at or as close as possible to the scene and stay there. If you are on the traveled part of a highway, move off it unless the accident involves the transportation of hazardous materials, injury, death or entrapment. Give your name, address and registration number to everyone involved and show your license. If anyone is hurt or killed, help as directed and make sure police are notified. If you hit an unattended car, stop, try to notify the owner, and call law enforcement if the owner cannot be found.
Stop, and move off the travel lanes when you can
The Indiana Driver's Manual says the driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident must stop immediately, or as close as possible to the scene, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
- On the traveled part of a highway: move the vehicle off the highway to a location as close to the accident as possible.
- You should not move the vehicle if the accident involves the transportation of hazardous materials, or results in injury, death or entrapment.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 8, read November 10, 2026.
Stay at the scene and exchange information
The driver must remain at the scene and give their name, address and the registration number of the motor vehicle to everyone involved, and show their driver's license.
| Situation | What the manual says to do |
|---|---|
| Any accident | Stop immediately or as close as possible to the scene; remain at the scene; give your name, address and vehicle registration number to everyone involved and show your driver's license |
| Accident on the traveled portion of a highway | Move the vehicle off the highway, as close to the accident as possible, unless the transportation of hazardous materials, injury, death or entrapment is involved |
| Someone is injured or killed | Provide reasonable assistance to those injured or trapped, as directed by law enforcement, medical personnel or a 911 operator; make sure law enforcement is notified as soon as possible |
| Collision with an unattended vehicle or other property | Stop and remain at the scene, take reasonable steps to notify the owner, and if the owner cannot be located, call a law enforcement agency to provide information |
| The BMV asks for proof of insurance | Ask your insurance provider to electronically send a Certificate of Compliance (COC) to the BMV, without delay |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 8, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
If anyone is hurt
If the accident results in the injury or death of another person, the manual says the driver is required to provide reasonable assistance to those injured or trapped in vehicles, as directed by law enforcement, medical personnel or a 911 operator. As soon as possible, make sure law enforcement (local police, sheriff or state police) is notified of the accident.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 8, read November 10, 2026.
If you hit a parked car or other property
If the collision was with an unattended vehicle or other property, the driver must stop and remain at the scene, take reasonable steps to notify the owner of the damaged property, and, if the owner cannot be located, call a law enforcement agency to provide information.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 8, read November 10, 2026.
Proof of insurance after an accident
After an accident, and on request from the BMV, you will be required to provide proof of financial responsibility. Your insurance provider must file it electronically as a Certificate of Compliance (COC), which shows you held an effective policy meeting Indiana's minimum liability protection at the time of the accident. If you receive a request from the BMV, the manual says not to delay in asking your insurance provider to send the COC on your behalf.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 8, and the BMV's Proof of Financial Responsibility page, read November 10, 2026.
Avoiding a collision in the first place
The manual says failure to yield the right of way is the most common factor among all collisions in Indiana. If it appears your car will hit something, it lists three options, depending on the situation:
Stop quickly
The first option the manual lists.
Turn quickly
If you cannot stop in time, turn your vehicle away from the potential collision.
Speed up
Accelerating may sometimes be the best or only way to avoid a collision.
If a collision looks possible, turn away from oncoming traffic, even if it means leaving the road. Drive, rather than skid, off the road. Choose to hit something that will give way, such as brush or shrubs, rather than something hard. Hit something moving in the same direction as you rather than something that is not moving; however, it is safer to hit something that is not moving than to hit something head-on. A sideswipe may help you slow down.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 8, read November 10, 2026.
After a crash, have your Ford checked at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Once everyone is safe and the paperwork is handled, our technicians can inspect your vehicle.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
After an accident in Indiana: FAQ
Do I have to stop after a car accident in Indiana?
Yes. The Indiana Driver's Manual says the driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident must stop immediately, or as close as possible to the scene, without obstructing traffic more than necessary, and must remain at the scene.
Should I move my car after an accident in Indiana?
If the accident happens on the traveled portion of a highway, the manual says to move the vehicle off the highway as close to the accident as possible. The manual says you should not move it if the accident involves the transportation of hazardous materials or results in injury, death or entrapment.
What information do I have to give after an accident?
Your name, your address and the registration number of your vehicle, given to everyone involved, and you must show your driver's license.
What should I do if I hit a parked car in Indiana?
Stop and remain at the scene, take reasonable steps to notify the owner, and if the owner cannot be located, call a law enforcement agency to provide information.
Do I have to call the police after an accident?
If the accident injures or kills someone, the manual says the driver should make sure law enforcement is notified as soon as possible. For an unattended vehicle or property whose owner cannot be found, call a law enforcement agency.
What is a Certificate of Compliance?
It is the proof of financial responsibility your insurance provider files electronically with the BMV, on request, to show you had a policy meeting Indiana's minimum liability protection at the time of the accident.
More Indiana driving guides
See our guide to what to do if you hit a deer, Indiana hands-free driving law and seat belt law, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Duties after an accident, the Certificate of Compliance and collision-avoidance guidance are from Chapter 8 of the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), with the BMV's Proof of Financial Responsibility page, both read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
- Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 8: Accidents and Emergency Situations (PDF), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Proof of Financial Responsibility, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026