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Rhode Island driving lesson · Collisions & Law Enforcement Stops

What To Do After a Collision

A 3-minute lesson from the Rhode Island course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Collisions & Law Enforcement Stops
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
65

Even a minor crash is stressful. Stay calm, stop, and follow the steps in order. Leaving the scene without identifying yourself brings severe penalties, and certain crashes must be reported to the police.

After a collision:

  • Try to stay calm
  • Stop your vehicle immediately
  • Stay at the scene and identify yourself to anyone interested
  • Report all collisions to the nearest state or local police immediately
  • Request rescue assistance if anyone is injured
  • In a minor collision, move your car to the side of the road if possible and notify police
Handbook p. 65 ↗

Know the rule

Leaving the scene of a collision without properly identifying yourself ('hit and run') brings severe penalties.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

Know the rule

If you hit a parked vehicle or other property, securely attach your name and address in writing where the owner will find it, and report the collision to the police immediately.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

A police report is required if:

  • Someone is injured
  • Property damage is over $1,000
  • You hit an unattended vehicle
  • You hit a domesticated animal
Handbook p. 65 ↗
$1,000

Property damage above this amount must be reported to the police

Handbook p. 65 ↗

Record this information:

  • Exact location: street names, nearest house number or interstate mile marker
  • The exact time of the collision
  • Other driver's name, address, license, insurance carrier and policy number, registration state and number
  • Names and addresses of witnesses and people in the other vehicle
  • Name of the police officer at the scene
  • A description of the exact damage
Handbook p. 65 ↗

Know the rule

You and the other driver each have the right to get each other's name, address, license, insurance and registration information.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

Put it into practice

Backing out of a space, you dent an empty parked car. Don't drive away. Write your name and address, attach it securely to the car, and call the police—hitting an unattended vehicle requires a police report.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

If you collide with an unattended parked vehicle, what must you do?
  1. Drive away, since no one was present
  2. Wait at the scene until the owner comes back to it
  3. Leave your name and address in writing on it
  4. Report it only if you are asked

Answer: Leave your name and address in writing on it

If you damage a parked vehicle, you must leave your name and address in writing attached securely to it, and report to police.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
A police report is required when a collision causes property damage over what amount?
  1. $500
  2. $2,000
  3. $250
  4. $1,000

Answer: $1,000

A collision with property damage in excess of $1,000 must be reported to the police.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
Which of these situations requires a police report after a collision?
  1. You hit a domesticated animal
  2. You swerve to miss a deer and hit nothing
  3. A rock chips your windshield on the highway
  4. You hit a pothole

Answer: You hit a domesticated animal

A police report is required if someone is injured, damage exceeds $1,000, you hit an unattended vehicle, or you hit a domesticated animal.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
What is the first thing you should do immediately after a collision?
  1. Immediately exchange insurance information
  2. Try to stay calm and stop your vehicle
  3. Call your insurance agent before anything else
  4. Move all vehicles off the road before checking for injuries

Answer: Try to stay calm and stop your vehicle

The first steps after a collision are to stay calm and stop your vehicle immediately.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
What information about the collision location should you record?
  1. Only the time of day
  2. Only the other driver's name
  3. Street names and the nearest house number or mile marker
  4. The posted speed limit only

Answer: Street names and the nearest house number or mile marker

Record the exact location, including street names and the nearest house number or interstate mile marker.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
Which piece of information about the other driver should you record after a collision?
  1. Their license, insurance carrier, and policy number
  2. Their vehicle's odometer reading
  3. Their employer's name and address
  4. Their home phone number

Answer: Their license, insurance carrier, and policy number

Record the other driver's name, address, license, insurance carrier and policy number, and registration information.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
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