A localized accident notification system includes an accident detector that detects a crash of a vehicle and an external alert system to provide an external alert by the vehicle that can be noticed by any people in the vicinity of the crash. Upon an indication of a crash from the accident detector a controller can direct the external alert. The external alert can have special notification properties. The accident detector may only operate if the vehicle ignition is on to discriminate between a theft alarm. The accident detector can include accelerometers, air bag detectors, or tilt sensors.