The First 10 Things You Should Do After a Car Accident (In Order)

Almost nobody is ready for the moment a crash actually happens. The adrenaline hits, the mind goes blank, and the next half hour gets decided by instinct instead of judgment. The problem is that instinct often leads people to do the exact things that hurt their health and their case. A simple order to follow takes the guesswork out.

Here is the sequence, step by step. The order matters, because the early steps protect people and the later ones protect your claim.

1. 1
   Check for injuries first. Before anything else, make sure you and your passengers are okay. Nothing on this list matters more than a person.
2. 2
   Get to safety. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe, move them out of traffic. If not, turn on hazards and step away from the roadway.
3. 3
   Call 911. Report injuries and the location. A police report creates an official record you will be glad to have later, even for a minor collision.
4. 4
   Say less than you think you should. Do not apologize or guess about who caused it. Stick to facts with the police, and never admit fault at the scene.
5. 5
   Photograph everything. Wide shots of the whole scene, close-ups of all damage, license plates, road conditions, signs, and signals. More is always better.
6. 6
   Exchange information. Names, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, insurance details, and license plates for every driver involved.
7. 7
   Get witness contact info. Independent witnesses are gold, and they disappear fast. Grab a name and number before anyone leaves.
8. 8
   See a doctor, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries for hours or days. A prompt medical visit protects your health and ties any injury to the crash.
9. 9
   Notify your insurer, carefully. Report the accident, but stick to the basic facts. You are not required to give a recorded statement on the spot.
10. 10
    Talk to an attorney before you settle anything. Early offers are often far below what a claim is worth. A short conversation can save you from giving up rights you did not know you had.

The worst 30 minutes of your day should not be spent trying to remember what to do. It should be spent following a plan you already had.

You will not have this article open at the scene. That is exactly the problem with a checklist that lives on a website. The steps only help if they are in your hand the instant you need them, walking you through one at a time while you are too rattled to think clearly.

Brian Galvan

Founder of YourLegal.app and a martech, software, and A.I. solutions designer who has spent his career building technology in the legal industry. See more at About.