Step-by-step accident guide
What to do after a car accident — a complete guide.
The steps you take in the first hours and days after an accident directly affect your health and your ability to recover compensation. Here's exactly what to do.
Stay calm and check for injuries
Take a breath. Check yourself and passengers for injuries before anything else. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger.
- Turn on hazard lights
- Move to safety if the vehicle is drivable and blocking traffic
- Do not admit fault or apologize — even casually
Call the police
Always file a police report, even for minor accidents. The official report is a critical document for your insurance claim and any future legal action. Get the report number before you leave.
- Ask the officer for their name and badge number
- Request a copy of the report or the report number
- Do not leave until the report is filed
Document everything
Use your phone to photograph the scene thoroughly. This evidence is often the difference between a fair settlement and a denied claim.
- Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles
- Capture road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs
- Photograph any visible injuries
- Get names, phone numbers, and insurance info from all drivers
- Collect contact info from witnesses
Seek medical care immediately
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor or chiropractor within 24 hours. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and internal trauma often don't show symptoms right away — but delaying care can harm both your health and your claim.
- Visit an ER, urgent care, or chiropractor
- Describe all symptoms, even minor ones
- Keep every medical record and receipt
- Follow all treatment recommendations
Notify your insurance company
Report the accident to your insurer promptly — most policies require it. Stick to the facts. Do not speculate about fault or give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first.
- Report the accident — do not delay
- Provide only basic facts: date, location, vehicles involved
- Do not accept any settlement offers yet
- Do not give a recorded statement without legal advice
Consult a personal injury attorney
A free consultation with a personal injury attorney costs you nothing and protects everything. They'll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
- Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency — no upfront cost
- Bring all documentation: police report, photos, medical records
- Ask about the statute of limitations in your state
- Do not sign anything from the insurance company first
Keep a recovery journal
Document your symptoms, pain levels, missed work, and how the injury affects your daily life. This record strengthens your claim and helps your attorney calculate the full value of your damages.
- Note pain levels daily (1–10 scale)
- Record missed work days and lost income
- Document activities you can no longer do
- Save all bills, receipts, and correspondence
Common questions after an accident
Ready to take the next step?
Connect with a chiropractor or attorney in our network — free consultations, no obligation.