What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident

What you do in the first hours after an accident affects your health and your claim more than almost anything else. With adrenaline running high it’s easy to forget important steps, so save this list.

At the scene

1. Check for injuries and get to safety

Your safety comes first. If you can, move the vehicle out of traffic. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.

2. Call the police

A police report is one of the most valuable documents for your claim. Ask for the report number.

3. Document everything

• Photos of the vehicles, damage, license plates, the scene and road conditions.
• The other driver’s details: name, phone, insurance and plate number.
• Witness information, if any.

4. Don’t admit fault

Even if you think it was your mistake, don’t say so. Stick to the facts; determining fault is a later process.

In the first hours at home

5. Get medical care even if you feel fine

Adrenaline masks pain. Injuries like whiplash can take hours or days to show up. An early evaluation protects your health and creates the medical record insurance requires.

6. Watch for warning symptoms

Go to the ER if these appear: severe headache, confusion, numbness or weakness, abdominal pain, vomiting or difficulty speaking.

7. Notify your insurer

Report the accident, but stick to the basic facts. Do not accept settlements or give recorded statements before you know the extent of your injuries.

8. Start your symptom journal

Starting today, write down how you feel, what hurts and what you can’t do. This record will be valuable evidence.

What NOT to do

• Don’t skip the medical evaluation “to save time.”
• Don’t sign insurance documents you don’t understand.
• Don’t post about the accident on social media.
• Don’t wait weeks to get treated: every day of delay weakens your health and your case.

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This article is informational and does not constitute individual medical or legal advice. If you were in a car accident in the Salt Lake City area, Car Injury Clinic (Taylorsville, UT) offers same-day evaluation, free transportation and coordination with your attorney. Call us at 385-242-8571.