What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Wichita

Updated November 2026 by the Miller’s Towing & Recovery accident recovery crew

Even a small fender bender on Kellogg or Rock Road can leave you shaken and unsure what to do first. We tow cars from Wichita crash scenes every week, and the drivers who know the steps have an easier time with the police, the tow, and the insurance claim.

Keep this checklist on your phone. It walks you through the first hour after a crash in Wichita.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Get Safe

• Check yourself and your passengers. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away.
• Turn on your hazard lights.
• If nobody is hurt and the car can move, Kansas law says to move it out of the traffic lane. The Kansas Highway Patrol asks drivers to clear the road to prevent a second crash.
• If the car can’t move, stay buckled in with your hazards on. On a highway, dial *47 for the Kansas Highway Patrol.
• Don’t stand between cars or walk along a busy road.

Step 2: Call the Police When the Law Requires It

Kansas requires a police report when a crash causes an injury, a death, or $1,000 or more in damage. With today’s repair costs, even a cracked bumper can pass $1,000, so most Wichita body shops recommend calling.

For non injury crashes with no hit and run or DUI, the City of Wichita lets you file an insurance report online. For other crashes, contact a WPD patrol substation or the WPD Records Bureau at 316-268-4303 for a copy of the report.

Step 3: Document Everything

Photos taken in the first few minutes are the best proof you will ever have. Before the cars are moved, if it is safe, capture:

• Damage to every car, close up and from a distance
• License plates and the street signs or mile markers nearby
• Skid marks, debris, traffic lights, and road conditions
• The other driver’s license, insurance card, and registration
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses

Step 4: Exchange Information

Swap names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance companies and policy numbers, and vehicle details with the other driver. Stay calm and stick to facts. Don’t argue about who caused the crash or sign anything at the scene other than what the officer asks for.

Step 5: Get Your Car Towed, Your Way

If your car leaks fluid, has a bent wheel, broken lights, or won’t start, it should ride on a flatbed. Under Wichita Police Department Policy 404, you can ask the officer for the tow company you want. That company must arrive within 45 minutes and clear the debris. If you don’t ask, dispatch calls the next company on the City’s rotation list.

Where the car can go	Good choice when
Your body shop	You already know who will repair it
Your home	You want time to talk to your insurer and pick a shop
A dealer	The car is under warranty or needs dealer parts
Our yard at 4309 S Broadway	You need a safe place to store it while the claim is set up

If an officer impounds the car, it goes to the yard of the company that towed it. You can find it with the City’s FindMyCar search. Read our guide on tow release costs in Wichita before you go.

Step 6: Call Your Insurance Company

• Report the crash the same day if you can.
• Collision coverage usually pays to tow a wrecked car, and the other driver’s insurer may pay if they were at fault.
• Keep your itemized tow receipt and photos for the claim.
• Ask your insurer where they want the car taken before it is moved to a shop.

Step 7: Get Your Belongings Out

Grab your wallet, phone, medicine, car seats, and garage door opener before the car is towed. If the car is impounded, City rules for emergency wrecker companies give owners access to personal items for 48 hours after the tow. Call ahead to set a time.

A Note on the Kansas Move Over Law

Kansas drivers must move over a lane, or slow down, when passing a stopped tow truck, police car, or emergency vehicle with flashing lights. As of 2025, the law also covers any stopped car with its hazards on. Remind your family, because it protects you and the crew working your crash.

For more help, see our accident and vehicle recovery service and our after an accident FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Kansas?

Kansas law requires a police report when a crash causes an injury, a death, or $1,000 or more in damage. Repair costs add up fast, so many Wichita body shops recommend filing a report even after a small crash.

Can I choose my own tow company after an accident in Wichita?

Yes. Under Wichita Police Department Policy 404, you can ask the officer for the tow company you want. That company must arrive within 45 minutes. If you don’t choose, dispatch calls the next company on the City’s rotation list.

Who pays for the tow after a crash?

The vehicle owner pays the tow company at pickup or drop off. Collision coverage often pays you back, or the other driver’s insurer may cover it if they were at fault. Keep the itemized receipt.

How do I get a police report for a crash in Wichita?

For non injury crashes with no hit and run or DUI, you can file an insurance report online through the City of Wichita. For other crashes, contact a WPD patrol substation or the Records Bureau.