What to do in the first 24 hours after a car accident

The moments after a car accident are disorienting, and the decisions you make in the first day can shape both your recovery and any claim that follows. This guide walks through the steps that matter most, in plain English.

At the scene: safety first

If you can move safely, get yourself out of the flow of traffic. Call 911, and ask for both police and medical help. Even if you feel unhurt, ask for a medical evaluation. The adrenaline of a collision can mask injuries for hours, and a gap between the accident and your first medical visit gives an insurer room to argue your injury came from somewhere else.

If it is safe to do so, take photographs of every vehicle involved from multiple angles, capturing the damage, the road conditions, any traffic controls, and the position of the vehicles before they are moved. Exchange names, contact details, driver licence numbers and insurance information with the other driver or drivers. Note the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened.

What to do, and what not to say

Report the facts to the responding officer. Stick to what you observed. Do not speculate about fault, do not apologise, and do not minimise how you feel. Statements that seem polite at the scene can be quoted back to you later. If the other driver's insurer contacts you, you are not required to give a recorded statement. It is reasonable to say you will speak with them after you have consulted a lawyer.

Get medical care, and document it

See a doctor promptly, even for symptoms that seem minor. Whiplash, concussions and soft-tissue injuries frequently surface a day or two after impact. Follow every treatment recommendation, keep every appointment, and hold on to every document: discharge summaries, referral letters, imaging orders, prescriptions and receipts. A clear, unbroken paper trail from the day of the accident is the single most persuasive record you can build.

Preserve the evidence

Keep a folder for everything related to the accident: the police report number, photographs, medical records, repair estimates, a rideshare or taxi receipt if you could not drive, and a short daily note about your pain, your sleep and what you could and could not do. Memory fades quickly, and a contemporaneous note carries real weight.

Do not repair your vehicle until a lawyer has had a chance to assess whether it should be inspected or photographed further. The physical damage to the cars is itself evidence of the forces involved.

Tell your own insurer, then talk to a lawyer

Notify your own insurance company that the accident happened. Most policies require prompt notice. Keep the call factual: when, where, who was involved, and that you sought medical care.

Deadlines are short and vary by the type of claim and who the defendant is, so speak to a lawyer quickly. A lawyer can deal with the insurers for you, identify every source of coverage, and make sure you are not pressed into an early settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known.

The bottom line

Protect your health, document everything, and do not give a recorded statement to the other side before you understand your rights. If you have been hurt in a collision in New York or New Jersey, a free conversation with a lawyer at the firm can help you understand what comes next.