A car accident can turn an ordinary day upside down in seconds. Your heart is pounding, your thoughts are racing, and it can be hard to know what to do first. That is completely normal.
The good news is that you do not have to figure it out alone. The steps below walk you through exactly what to do, in order, from the first moments at the scene to the days and weeks that follow.
Follow as many of these steps as you safely can. Each one protects two things: your health and your ability to be paid fairly for your losses.
Step 1: Check for Injuries
Before anything else, check yourself for injuries. Then check your passengers. Do not try to move anyone who is seriously hurt unless they are in immediate danger, such as from fire or oncoming traffic. Moving an injured person can make some injuries worse.
If anyone is hurt, or might be hurt, treat it as an emergency. Help is one phone call away.
Step 2: Get to Safety
If your car is drivable, move it out of the traffic lanes to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot and turn on your hazard lights. If it cannot be moved, leave it where it is, exit carefully when traffic allows, and get everyone to a safe spot away from the roadway. Many secondary crashes happen when people stand near disabled vehicles.
Step 3: Call 911
Call 911 even if the crash seems minor. Police can secure the scene, call for medical help, and create an official crash report. That report often becomes a key piece of evidence later, because it records the time, location, drivers, witnesses, and sometimes the officer’s view of what happened.
Some states require you to report crashes involving injury or significant damage. When in doubt, call.
Step 4: Exchange Information
Exchange information with every other driver involved. Get their:
- Full name, address, and phone number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number and the vehicle’s make, model, and color
- Insurance company name and policy number
Take photos of their license, insurance card, and plate if they will allow it. Stay calm and polite, even if the other driver is upset. You only need their information, not an argument.
Step 5: Document the Scene
Your phone is one of your best tools right now. Take photos and video of everything: vehicle damage from multiple angles, the positions of the cars, skid marks, debris, traffic signs and signals, road and weather conditions, and any visible injuries.
Wide shots show how the crash happened. Close-ups show how bad the damage is. If you can, capture both before the vehicles are moved.
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Step 6: Get Witness Information
Witnesses often leave within minutes, and their accounts can make or break a disputed claim. If anyone saw the crash, ask for their name and phone number. If they are willing, ask them to briefly describe what they saw while you record a voice memo or take notes.
Independent witnesses are powerful because they have no stake in the outcome. Insurers know that, too.
Step 7: Seek Medical Care, Even If You Feel Fine
This step surprises many people, and it matters more than almost any other. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours. Some injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries, may not cause obvious symptoms right away.
See a doctor the same day if you can, or within a day or two at most. Prompt care protects your health first. It also creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash. Long delays give insurers room to argue you were not really hurt, or that something else caused your injuries.
Step 8: Notify Your Insurance Company
Most auto policies require “prompt notice” of a crash, and that deadline is separate from any legal deadline to file a lawsuit. Report the accident to your own insurer soon, even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Stick to the basic facts: when, where, who, and what vehicles were involved.
You generally do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, and it is often wise to speak with a lawyer before you do.
Step 9: Do Not Discuss Fault
At the scene, and in every conversation afterward, avoid saying anything that sounds like an apology or an admission. Even a polite “I’m sorry” can be twisted into evidence of fault. You may not have all the facts yet; the other driver may have been speeding, distracted, or impaired in ways you could not see. Let the evidence tell the story.
Step 10: Preserve Your Evidence
In the days after the crash, gather everything in one place: photos, the police report number, witness contacts, medical records and bills, repair estimates, and receipts for anything you paid because of the accident. Keep a short daily journal of your symptoms, pain levels, and missed activities.
Do not repair or dispose of your vehicle until it has been photographed and, if needed, inspected. Evidence disappears fast: cars get fixed, camera footage gets erased, and memories fade.
Step 11: Know Your State’s Deadline
Every state sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, for filing an injury lawsuit. These deadlines vary by state, and they are often two or three years, though some are shorter and some are longer. Claims against a government entity often have much shorter notice deadlines.
Miss the deadline and you may lose your right to compensation entirely, no matter how strong your case is. Check your state’s rules, or ask a local attorney, as early as possible.
Step 12: Know When to Call a Lawyer
Not every fender-bender needs a lawyer. But you should strongly consider talking to one if anyone was injured, fault is disputed, the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene, or an insurer is pressuring you to settle quickly.
Most car accident lawyers work on contingency, commonly one-third of the recovery, sometimes more if a lawsuit is filed, and consultations are typically free. Talking to a lawyer early costs nothing and can prevent expensive mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call the police for a minor accident?
In most cases, yes. A police report creates an official record of the crash, which helps if the other driver later changes their story or injuries appear days afterward. Some states also require reporting crashes above certain damage or injury thresholds.
What if the other driver asks me not to involve insurance?
Be cautious. Handshake deals often fall apart when the damage turns out to be worse than expected or injuries appear later. Exchange full information, document everything, and notify your own insurer as your policy requires.
How soon should I see a doctor after an accident?
As soon as possible, ideally the same day or within a day or two. Early care protects your health and creates records linking your injuries to the crash. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons insurers reduce or deny claims.
How long do I have to file a claim?
It depends on your state. Statutes of limitations are often two or three years for injury claims, but deadlines vary, and claims involving government vehicles or roads can be much shorter. Check your state’s deadline early.
Get Connected With a Trusted Car Accident Attorney
The steps you take in the first days after a crash shape everything that follows, and evidence and deadlines will not wait. Accident Direct matches you with a vetted local car accident attorney for a free case review, and you pay nothing unless you win. Call \1-800-123-4567 or start your free case review →
Related Reading
- What to do when the accident wasn’t your fault
- Hit-and-run? Take these steps right away
- Evidence to collect after an accident
- Delayed injury symptoms after an accident
This article is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Every case is different. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed attorney.