First 72 Hours After a Car Accident

At the Scene: What to Document Before You Leave

Call 911 if anyone is injured. Even in minor collisions, request a police response — the accident report becomes a foundational document in your claim. While waiting for officers, photograph everything: damage to all vehicles from multiple angles, the position of cars in the road, skid marks, traffic signals, road signs, weather conditions, and any visible injuries on your body.

Exchange insurance information with the other driver. Get their policy number, carrier name, and contact details. Collect names and phone numbers from witnesses. Do not discuss fault with anyone at the scene — not the other driver, not bystanders, and especially not if the other driver's insurer calls you on the spot. A single offhand comment recorded in the police report or an adjuster's notes can undermine your claim months later. If your car is drivable, move it to a safe location before photographing. If it is not, the tow company's records become part of the evidence chain.

First 24 Hours: Medical Treatment and the Record It Creates

See a doctor within 24 hours, regardless of how you feel. Adrenaline and shock mask injuries — soft-tissue damage, concussions, and internal bruising often produce symptoms days after the collision, not at the scene. If you wait to seek treatment, the insurer will argue the crash did not cause your symptoms or that your injuries were too minor to require care.

Tell the physician exactly how the accident happened and describe every area of discomfort, no matter how minor. The doctor's notes become medical evidence linking your injuries to the crash. Downplaying symptoms to seem tough costs you in settlement value. Follow every instruction — fill prescriptions, attend follow-up visits, complete recommended imaging. A clean, unbroken treatment record is the single most persuasive document in a car accident claim. Gaps or skipped appointments become the adjuster's strongest argument against you.

Days One Through Three: Locking Down Evidence

Request a copy of the police report. Most departments make reports available within a few days. Review it for accuracy — if the officer recorded facts incorrectly, your attorney can submit a supplemental statement.

Contact nearby businesses and ask whether their security cameras captured the intersection or road segment where the crash happened. Footage is typically overwritten on loops that can run as short as 48 to 72 hours. If you do not ask now, the recording is gone. Check whether your own dashcam or the other driver's vehicle had a dashcam. Pull your phone records to document the time of the crash and prove you were not texting. Start a daily journal noting your pain levels, what activities you cannot perform, how your sleep is affected, and any emotional distress. This personal record supplements clinical notes and gives your attorney material that medical records alone do not capture.

When to Contact a Lawyer and What to Expect

Consult an attorney before speaking with any insurance adjuster — yours or the other driver's. Most car accident lawyers offer free initial consultations and work on contingency, meaning you owe nothing unless the case produces a recovery. The consultation gives you an informed assessment of your claim's strength and an honest opinion on whether you need representation.

Bring the police report, your photographs, the other driver's insurance information, and any medical records you have received. The attorney evaluates liability, identifies all potential sources of insurance coverage, and explains the likely timeline. If you decide to hire the firm, they send a letter of representation to the insurer, which stops adjusters from contacting you directly. From that point forward, every communication runs through your lawyer. The sooner this happens, the fewer opportunities exist for you to make a statement that damages your case.

This site is an independent information resource, not a law firm. This content is general information and does not constitute legal advice — consult a licensed attorney in your state.