Can I drive home after a car accident? Two checks before you go
How to tell if you and your car are both fit to drive after a crash
After a crash, many people just want to get home. If the car still runs, driving it can seem like the easy choice. But two things must be true first. You must be fit to drive, and the car must be fit to drive.
Most people only check the car. The harder question is you. A jolt to the head can affect your driving before you notice it, and even after you feel normal. This guide helps you check both.
Check yourself first
A large Ontario study looked at more than 425,000 adults treated for a concussion. They had a 49% higher risk of a later serious crash than people treated for an ankle sprain. In the first month, the risk was about six times higher [1]. The study shows a link. It does not prove the concussion caused the crashes.
Feeling better may not mean you drive well yet. In a small study, 14 college students were tested within 48 hours of feeling recovered from a concussion. They still drove with less control and weaved in their lane more than others [2].
Pain medicine, muscle relaxants and alcohol can also affect your driving. So can shock. If you feel shaky or cannot focus, let someone else drive.
Do not drive. Get emergency care for these danger signs
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Weakness or numbness
- Repeated vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Unusual drowsiness
- One pupil larger than the other
- A seizure
- Confusion that keeps growing
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room [3].
Check the car
Airbags and seat belts
Many owner’s manuals say not to drive after the airbags deploy. Deployed airbags and fired seat belt pretensioners cannot protect you in a second crash [4].
Electric and hybrid cars
NHTSA says to assume the high voltage battery still has power. Move the car to a safe spot nearby if you can, and stay at the scene. Call 911 if you see leaking fluid, sparks or smoke, or hear gurgling from the battery [5].
A badly damaged electric car should not be stored inside a building. Keep it at least 50 feet from buildings, other vehicles and anything that can burn [5]. Learn more about towing and storing a damaged EV.
A car that will not restart
Some cars cut the fuel pump or block a restart after a hard hit. This is by design [6]. Do not force it. Call for a tow.
Moving the car is not driving home
Some states ask you to move a crashed car out of traffic. Missouri’s law is one example. It asks you to move the car to the shoulder only when no one seems badly hurt and the car is safe to drive [7]. A short move to the shoulder is not the same as a drive home.
A quick decision table
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Should you drive home?
| Question | Stop: arrange another ride or a tow | Usually okay to continue |
|---|---|---|
| Is the driver fit? | You hit your head, blacked out or cannot recall the crash. You have a headache, dizziness, nausea or blurred vision. You have neck pain. You feel shaky or cannot focus. You were given pain medicine or a muscle relaxant. You had any alcohol. | No symptoms, clear thinking and a short, familiar route. Recheck for symptoms that evening. |
| Is the car fit? | Airbags deployed. An airbag, brake or EV battery warning light is on. Leaking fluid, smoke or a burning smell. Tire or wheel damage, rubbing or pulling. Broken lights at night. The hood, a door or the trunk will not latch. A cracked windshield blocks your view. | Cosmetic damage only. All lights and warnings are normal. The car drives straight with no new noises. |
When in doubt, choose a ride or a tow.
Other ways to get home
If you should not drive, you still have options. A sober, licensed friend or family member can drive you home. But a second driver cannot fix an unsafe car. In that case, get a tow.
Check whether your policy or a motor club includes towing and roadside help. Ask the tow company where the car is going and what storage costs.
Questions to ask before you drive again
Question checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- Did I hit my head, or do I have any symptoms right now?
- Did I take any medicine at the scene or at the hospital that can make me drowsy?
- Did any airbag deploy, or is any warning light on?
- Does the car drive straight with no new noises?
- Can someone else drive me home?
- When did the clinician who examined me say I could drive again?
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait to drive after hitting my head?
There is no single answer. Ask the clinician who examined you. Do not drive while you have symptoms.
Can I drive my car if the airbags went off?
No. Many owner’s manuals say not to drive after the airbags deploy, because they cannot protect you again [4]. Get a tow.
My car will not start after the crash. Is it broken?
Not always. Some cars shut off the fuel pump or block a restart after a hard hit on purpose [6]. Do not force it. Call for a tow and let a shop check it.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Before you drive home, ask two questions. Am I fit to drive? Is my car fit to drive? If you are unsure about yourself, the answer is no. If you are unsure about the car, the answer is a tow.
Related articles
- Returning to driving after a concussion: questions to ask before you get behind the wheel
- Checking if you’re fit to drive after crash injuries
- Undeployed air bags after a crash: why a damaged car’s safety system can still be live
- What to do with an electric vehicle after a serious crash
- Towing, storage fees and getting around after a serious crash
- After a crash: should you stay inside the car or get out?
- The first 72 hours after a car accident: what to do and when
Sources and further reading
- 1Redelmeier DA, et al. Concussion and the risk of later motor vehicle crashes. BMJ Open, 2025. bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/11/e105391
- 2University of Georgia. Simulator study of driving after concussion, Journal of Neurotrauma, 2017. news.uga.edu
- 3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury. cdc.gov/…/signs-symptoms
- 4Jeep Wrangler owner’s manual, air bag section. ManualsLib. manualslib.com/…/Jeep-Wrangler.html
- 5National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Interim guidance for owners of electric and hybrid vehicles with high voltage batteries (DOT HS 811 577). nhtsa.gov/…/811577-interimguidehev-hv-b…
- 6YouCanic. Car won’t start after an accident. youcanic.com/car-wont-start-after-accident
- 7Missouri Department of Transportation. Steer It, Clear It law. modot.org/steer-it-clear-it-law
This article reflects the safety priorities of crash response and a safe return to driving. It offers general education, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Laws and policies differ by state, so check official sources where the crash happened. Reviewed November 2026.
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