What to Do After a Car Accident: 7 Steps to Protect Your Claim
The actions you take in the minutes and hours after a car accident can make or break your personal injury claim. Insurance companies are looking for reasons to reduce or deny your payout. This guide tells you exactly what to do — and what to avoid.
Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your first priority is safety. Check yourself and all passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured — even if they say they feel fine — call 911 immediately. Do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger. Request both police and an ambulance.
Even if injuries seem minor, always call 911. A police report is essential for your claim, and many injuries (whiplash, internal bleeding, concussion) are not immediately apparent.
Document Everything at the Scene
While waiting for police, use your phone to photograph: all vehicles involved (damage, positions, license plates), the road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Take wide shots and close-ups. If there are witnesses, photograph their faces or ask for contact details.
Take photos before any vehicles are moved. The positions of vehicles after a crash are critical evidence for determining fault.
Exchange Information — But Don't Admit Fault
Exchange name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate, and insurance information with all other drivers. Do not say 'I'm sorry' or 'it was my fault' — even as a polite reflex. These statements can be used against you by the insurer.
Do not discuss the accident in detail with the other driver. Stick to exchanging contact and insurance information only.
Get the Police Report Number
When police arrive, give them a factual account of what happened. Get the responding officer's name and badge number, and ask for the report number. You can request a copy of the full police report within a few days — this is a key piece of evidence for your claim.
If police do not respond (common in minor accidents), file a report yourself at your local police station or through your state's online reporting system.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible — most policies require prompt notification. Give them the basic facts. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer without speaking to an attorney first.
You are required to notify your own insurer, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer. Politely decline until you have legal representation.
Seek Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine
See a doctor within 24–72 hours of the accident, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain. Conditions like whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and concussions often don't present symptoms for 24–48 hours. A medical record linking your injuries to the accident is essential for your claim.
Going to the ER or urgent care creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the accident date. Delaying treatment gives insurers grounds to argue your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Before accepting any settlement offer from an insurer, consult a personal injury attorney. Initial consultations are free, and attorneys work on contingency — no win, no fee. Studies show represented claimants receive 3–4x more compensation than those who negotiate alone.
Insurers make lowball offers quickly, hoping you'll accept before you know the full extent of your injuries. An attorney will ensure you're compensated for future medical costs, not just current bills.
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