Your Car Won’t Start After a Crash: A Checklist

You’ve been in a car accident. After you’ve made sure everyone is okay and the scene is safe, the police officer tells you it’s clear to move your vehicles off to the shoulder. You get back in your car, turn the key in the ignition, and… nothing. Just a click, a weak stutter, or a dead silence. Your car won’t start.

A vehicle that’s been rendered immobile by a crash creates a host of new problems, from blocking traffic to arranging an unexpected tow. It can also be a sign that the damage from the collision is far more serious than what is visible from the outside.

Knowing what to do in this situation can help you stay safe, protect your vehicle from further damage, and ensure that the issue is properly documented for your insurance claim.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Don’t Try to Force It: If the car won’t start, do not repeatedly try to crank the engine. You could cause more damage.
• Prioritize Safety and Visibility: Your car is now a disabled vehicle. Your immediate priority is to turn on your hazard lights and ensure you are in a safe location.
• Check the Fuel Pump Cutoff Switch: Many modern cars have an inertia switch that automatically cuts power to the fuel pump in a collision to prevent a fire. Sometimes, this can be manually reset.
• Call for a Tow: This is the safest and most reliable next step. Do not attempt roadside repairs. Let a professional tow your vehicle to a qualified mechanic or body shop.
• Document the Issue: Inform the responding police officer that your vehicle is not starting. Make sure this is noted in the police report, as it’s evidence of the severity of the impact.

Why Won’t My Car Start? Common Post-Accident Causes

An impact can disrupt a car’s complex systems in numerous ways. While only a mechanic can diagnose the issue, common reasons a car won’t start after a crash include:

• The Inertia Switch/Fuel Pump Cutoff: This is a safety feature designed to prevent fires. In a moderate to severe impact, a switch automatically cuts power to the fuel pump. This is one of the most common reasons a car won’t start, and in some vehicles, it can be reset (check your owner’s manual for the location, but only attempt if you are in a completely safe location).
• Damaged Battery or Cables: The collision could have dislodged a battery cable or cracked the battery itself.
• Blown Fuses or Electrical Damage: The jolt can blow a key fuse or damage the starter, alternator, or the complex wiring harnesses.
• Engine or Fuel Line Damage: In a more serious front-end collision, the impact could have damaged the engine itself or a critical fuel line, creating a dangerous leak.

Your Immediate Post-Crash Checklist When Your Car is Disabled

1. Stay Calm and Make Yourself Visible.

The moment you realize your car is immobile, turn on your hazard lights (emergency flashers). If you are in an active lane of traffic, this is your most important signal to other drivers.

2. Do NOT Keep Trying to Start the Engine.

Repeatedly trying to crank a damaged engine can cause more harm. It can also be a fire hazard if fuel is leaking. Turn the key to the “on” position to power your hazard lights, but do not try to start the engine again.

3. Call 911 and Report the Vehicle is Disabled.

When you call 911, it is crucial to inform the operator not only that you’ve had an accident, but also that your vehicle is disabled and blocking a lane of traffic (if it is). This communicates the urgency of the situation and the need for traffic control.

4. Call for a Tow Truck.

This is a non-negotiable step. Inform the responding officer or your insurance company that you will need a tow. Do not let a well-meaning bystander try to give you a “jump start” or perform a roadside diagnosis. The problem is likely more complex than a simple dead battery.

5. Document for Your Insurance Claim.

Make sure the responding officer knows that the vehicle would not start after the impact. This is an important piece of evidence. When you speak to your insurance adjuster, describe the issue in detail. The cost of diagnosing the electrical or mechanical failure is a legitimate part of your property damage claim, in addition to the visible body damage.

A car that won’t start after a crash is a clear sign that the impact was significant. It’s a frustrating situation, but handling it correctly ensures your safety and strengthens your insurance claim. If you’ve been in a car accident in the Tacoma area and are dealing with a complex property damage claim, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. Compare profiles and find a trusted local attorney who can help ensure your insurance company covers all the damage, both seen and unseen.

References

• National Safety Council (NSC) – “What to Do After a Car Crash”:An authoritative guide from a leading safety organization that details post-accident safety procedures, including what to do if your vehicle is disabled.

  https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/what-to-do-after-a-car-crash

• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) – What to do if you’re in a collision:Official state guidance that includes safety tips for what to do after a crash.

  https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/vehicle-safety/in-a-collision