A car accident is scary, confusing and often painful. In the moment, it is hard to think clearly — which is exactly why a checklist helps. This guide walks you through what to do at the scene, in the first 24 hours, and in the weeks that follow, so you can protect your health and keep your options open.
Save this page on your phone. If you are reading it right after a crash, start with the first section and take it one step at a time.
What should I do at the scene of a car accident?
Your first job is safety. Your second is evidence. Do these things in order, only if it is safe to do so.
1. Check for injuries and call 911
Check yourself first, then your passengers, then people in the other vehicles. If anyone is hurt — or you are not sure — call 911. Do not move someone who may have a neck or back injury unless they are in immediate danger, such as a fire.
2. Get out of traffic
If the cars can be driven and no one is badly hurt, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights. If you cannot move the vehicles, get yourself and others to a safe spot away from traffic.
3. Call the police
Even for a crash that seems minor, a police report is valuable. It records who was involved, the insurance details, any witnesses and the officer's observations. Ask the officer for the report number and how to get a copy. Many states require you to report crashes that cause injury, death or significant property damage, so calling police also helps you follow the law.
4. Exchange information
Get the following from every other driver:
- Full name and phone number
- Driver's license number
- Insurance company and policy number
- License plate number
- Vehicle make, model and color
If the driver is not the owner of the car, get the owner's name too. If the driver was working — for example, driving a delivery van or a rideshare car — write down the company name.
5. Take photos and video
Your phone is your best tool. Take wide shots of the whole scene and close-ups of:
- Damage to every vehicle, from several angles
- License plates
- Skid marks, debris and road conditions
- Traffic signs and signals
- Your visible injuries, such as cuts and bruises
- The other driver's insurance card and license (if they let you)
Photos taken in the first few minutes can be some of the most important evidence in a claim.
6. Talk to witnesses
Ask anyone who saw the crash for their name and phone number. Witnesses can be hard to find later, and an independent witness can settle a dispute about who ran the light.
7. Be careful what you say
It is natural to say "I'm sorry," but at an accident scene it can sound like an admission of fault. Stick to facts. Do not guess about speed or what happened, and do not say "I'm fine" before you have been checked by a doctor.
What should I do in the first 24 hours?
Get checked by a doctor and start a simple file. The day after a crash is when many people first feel pain.
See a doctor — even if you feel okay
Adrenaline can mask pain for hours. Injuries like whiplash, concussions and back strains often show up the next day or later. Go to the ER, urgent care or your own doctor. Tell them you were in a car accident and describe every symptom, even small ones.
A prompt medical visit protects your health. It also creates a record that links your injuries to the crash. If you wait weeks, an insurer may argue something else caused your pain. Read more about delayed pain after a car accident.
Notify your own insurance company
Most policies require you to report a crash promptly. Give your insurer the basic facts: when and where it happened, who was involved and the police report number. You do not need to speculate about fault.
Start an accident file
Create a folder — paper or digital — and keep everything in it:
- The police report number
- Photos and videos
- The other driver's information
- Medical records, bills and receipts
- Notes about missed work
- Every letter or email from an insurance company
What should I do in the days and weeks after a crash?
Keep treating, keep records and be careful with insurers.
Follow your treatment plan
Go to your follow-up appointments, physical therapy and specialist visits. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons insurers say an injury was not serious.
Keep a pain journal
Spend two minutes a day writing down how you feel, what you could not do and how the injury affected work, sleep and family life. These notes help show the real impact of an injury, which is hard to prove later from memory.
Be careful with the other driver's insurance company
The other driver's insurer may call you quickly — sometimes within a day or two. The adjuster may be friendly, but their job is to limit what the company pays. You generally do not have to give them a recorded statement, and you should not sign a medical release or a settlement release without understanding it. Learn more in should I talk to the other driver's insurance?
Watch the deadlines
Every state sets a deadline to file an injury lawsuit, called the statute of limitations. It is often two or three years, but in some states it is just one year — and insurance and government-claim notice rules can be much shorter. See how long you have to file a claim or look up your state on our state laws page.
Keep your car and damaged property for now
Do not rush to junk your car or throw away damaged items like a child car seat, helmet or phone. They may be evidence. Ask your insurer or an attorney before disposing of anything.
What should I avoid after a car accident?
Avoid the mistakes that are hard to undo.
- Posting on social media. Photos of you at a party or the gym can be used to argue you were not hurt. It is safest to stay quiet online about the crash.
- Accepting a quick settlement. Early offers often come before you know how serious your injuries are. Once you sign a release, you usually cannot ask for more.
- Skipping the doctor. No medical record often means a weaker claim.
- Waiting too long. Evidence disappears and deadlines pass.
When should I talk to a lawyer?
If you were hurt, it is usually worth a free consultation. That is especially true if:
- You needed medical treatment or missed work
- The other driver's insurer is blaming you
- A truck, company vehicle or rideshare car was involved
- The other driver has little or no insurance
- You are not sure what your state's rules are
Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency, so a consultation usually costs nothing up front. Read how contingency fees work to understand the basics.
Quick car accident checklist
Use this short list at a glance:
- Check for injuries and call 911
- Move to safety and turn on hazards
- Call the police and get the report number
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers
- Photograph the scene, vehicles and injuries
- Get witness names and numbers
- Don't apologize or guess about fault
- See a doctor within a day or two
- Notify your own insurer
- Keep every record in one file
- Be careful with the other driver's insurer
- Talk to an attorney before signing anything
For more detail on each step, read our full guide to what to do after a car accident.