What to Do After a Car Accident | Step-by-Step Guide

You've just been in a car accident. Your heart is racing, you're confused, maybe scared. You might be hurt. What you do in the next minutes, hours, and days can determine whether you receive the compensation you deserve — or lose it.

This guide tells you exactly what to do, in order, to protect your health and your case.

At the Scene

1. Breathe and Check for Injuries

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers. If anyone is seriously injured, don't move them — wait for paramedics.

2. Call 911

Even if the accident seems minor, call 911. The police report is important evidence for your case. Tell the operator:

• Where you are (street, intersection, landmarks)
• Whether anyone is injured
• How many vehicles are involved

3. Move to Safety

If your car can move and you're in traffic, pull to the side. If it can't move, turn on your hazard lights and exit the vehicle if it's safe.

4. Don't Admit Fault

This is critical. Don't say "it was my fault," "I'm sorry," or "I didn't see you." Even if you think you were at fault, you might not be — or fault may be shared. Anything you say can be used against you by the insurance company.

Stick to exchanging information. Be polite but don't discuss the accident.

5. Take Photos and Video

Use your phone to document everything:

• Damage to all vehicles (close-up and wide)
• Position of vehicles on the road
• Skid marks
• Traffic signs and signals
• Road conditions (wet, potholes, poor lighting)
• Your visible injuries (cuts, bruises, swelling)
• The other vehicle's license plate
• The overall scene

The more photos, the better. Timestamped phone photos are valuable evidence.

6. Exchange Information

From the other driver, get:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Driver's license number
• Insurance company and policy number
• License plate
• Vehicle make, model, and color

If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. Witnesses are extremely valuable.

7. Don't Talk to the Other Driver's Insurance

The other driver may call their insurer at the scene, or their insurer may call you shortly after. Don't give them a statement. Simply say: "I'd prefer to speak with a lawyer before making any statement."

Within the First 24-72 Hours

8. See a Doctor — Even If You Feel Fine

This is the most important thing you can do after leaving the scene. Many common accident injuries — whiplash, herniated discs, concussions — don't show symptoms for days.

A doctor can detect injuries you can't feel yet. And early medical records directly connect your injuries to the accident.

In Florida, you only have 14 days to seek treatment for PIP coverage. Other states don't have a rule this strict, but the sooner you go, the stronger your case.

9. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurer. Be brief and factual:

• Date, time, and location
• That there was an accident with another vehicle
• That you're seeking medical attention

Don't say you're not hurt, that it was your fault, or give unnecessary details. If they ask how you feel, say "I'm still being evaluated by a doctor."

10. Stay Off Social Media

Nothing. No photos of the accident, no comments about how you feel, no complaints about the other driver. Insurance companies check Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. A photo of you smiling at a family event can be used to argue you're "not that hurt."

The safest rule: post nothing about the accident, your health, or your activities until your case is resolved.

Within the First Week

11. Contact a Lawyer

A consultation with an accident lawyer is free. You have nothing to lose. A lawyer can:

• Assess what your case is worth
• Handle all communication with insurers
• Make sure you don't make mistakes that hurt your case
• Negotiate fair compensation

Accident lawyers work on contingency fees — you pay nothing upfront. They only collect a percentage if they win.

12. Start a Pain Journal

Every day, write down:

• What pain you feel and where (scale of 1-10)
• What activities you couldn't do (work, cook, play with your kids, sleep well)
• What medications you took
• How you feel emotionally (anxiety, frustration, fear of driving)

This journal is direct evidence of how the accident affected your life. Lawyers and juries give it significant weight.

13. Save All Documents

Create a folder (physical or digital) with:

• Police report
• Accident photos
• Other driver's information
• Medical receipts and bills
• Proof of lost wages
• Insurance correspondence
• Receipts for any accident-related expenses

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't accept the first offer from the insurer — it's always low
• Don't sign anything without a lawyer reviewing it — especially releases
• Don't skip doctor visits — treatment gaps weaken your case
• Don't discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer
• Don't wait too long — legal deadlines are real and unforgiving

Need Help Now?

If you were recently in an accident, the most important step is talking to a lawyer. Our free evaluation takes less than 2 minutes and connects you with an attorney in your state.

You pay nothing until you win your case.

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Updated May 2026. This guide is general information and does not constitute legal advice.