The short version
- Safety and medical help come first; call 911 if anyone may be hurt.
- Exchange information and take photos, but avoid discussing fault at the scene.
- Get the police report number and the names of any witnesses before they leave.
- Get checked by a medical professional, even if you feel fine, and keep every record.
- Be careful with recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer.
The first few minutes
Right after a crash, adrenaline makes it hard to think. A short order of priorities helps:
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone may be hurt, call 911.
- If the cars can be moved and it is safe and allowed where you are, move them out of traffic. Otherwise, turn on hazard lights and stay clear of moving lanes.
- Call the police if anyone is injured, if a driver seems impaired, if a driver leaves, or if the damage is significant. Many states require a report in some of these situations.
- Do not leave the scene before exchanging information. Leaving can be a serious offense.
If the other driver is angry or aggressive, stay in your car with the doors locked and wait for police. You do not need to resolve anything at the scene.
What to exchange, and what to keep to yourself
Get the following from every other driver involved:
- Full name and phone number.
- Driver’s license number and state.
- Insurance company and policy number. A photo of the insurance card is easiest.
- Vehicle make, model, color and license plate.
- The owner’s name, if the driver does not own the car.
Be polite, but keep the conversation to facts. It is natural to say “I’m so sorry,” but at a crash scene that can later be described as admitting fault. Many people stick to: “Are you okay? Let’s swap information.”
Avoid guessing about speed, distances or what you saw if you are unsure. “I don’t know” is a complete answer. When police arrive, describe what you know plainly and let the officer know if you are hurt or unsure.
Photos and notes at the scene
Photos taken in the first half hour are often the best evidence anyone will ever have about a crash. If you are able, capture:
- All vehicles from several angles, including close-ups of damage and wide shots showing their positions.
- License plates.
- Skid marks, debris and fluid on the road.
- Traffic signals, stop signs, lane markings and anything blocking the view.
- Weather, lighting and road conditions.
- Any visible injuries.
Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers. Witnesses often leave within minutes, and an independent account can matter a great deal if fault is disputed. If there are businesses nearby, note them; some have cameras, and that footage is often overwritten quickly.
Before you leave, ask the officer for the report number and how to get a copy.
Getting checked and keeping records
Some injuries, especially to the neck, back and head, do not show symptoms right away. Many people feel fine at the scene and sore the next morning. Getting checked by a medical professional soon after a crash creates a record that connects what you feel to the accident, and a gap of days or weeks is something insurers often point to.
From the start, keep a folder, paper or digital, with:
- Medical visits, bills and receipts.
- Repair estimates and rental car costs.
- Time missed from work.
- A short daily note on pain, sleep and what you could not do.
See the Injury evidence checklist for a full list.
In the days after
The first week after a crash is often a blur of calls. A few things that tend to get missed:
- Get the police report. Reports often take some days to become available. When you get it, read it closely. If a fact is wrong, such as the location, a vehicle description or what you said, many agencies have a way to request a correction or add a supplemental statement.
- Write your own account. A page describing what happened, written while you remember, is useful even if you never need it.
- Do not rush repairs. Insurers may want to inspect the car first, and photos of the damage should be taken before anything is fixed.
- Ask about video. Nearby businesses and homes with cameras often record over footage within days. A prompt, polite written request to preserve it can help.
Dealing with insurance
Notify your own insurer promptly; most policies require it. Give the basic facts and the report number. You do not need to have every answer on the first call.
The other driver’s insurer may call you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You can generally decline, or ask to wait until you have your paperwork or have spoken with a lawyer. Things to be careful about in any call with an adjuster:
- Saying you are “fine” or “not hurt” before you have been checked.
- Guessing at speeds, distances or timing.
- Signing a release or accepting a quick payment before you know the full extent of your injuries and costs.
Write down the name of everyone you speak with, the date, and what was said. More in Talking to an insurance adjuster.
Deadlines and when to talk to a lawyer
Accident claims have time limits. Your policy sets deadlines for reporting, and your state sets a deadline for filing an injury claim in court. Claims involving a government vehicle or road can have much shorter notice periods. These vary by state, so check them early. See Deadlines and time limits.
A lawyer is often worth talking to when:
- Anyone was seriously hurt, or injuries are still being treated.
- Fault is disputed, or the other driver was uninsured or left the scene.
- A commercial vehicle, rideshare or government vehicle was involved.
- An insurer is pressing you for a statement or a quick settlement.
Many injury lawyers offer a free first consultation. Bring your photos, the report number and your folder of records.
How Invoked helps
Invoked can record a crash scene with one tap, including conversations with the other driver and police. It helps you organize photos, notes and medical records into a timeline and evidence packet, drafts evidence-preservation letters you send yourself, and tracks claim deadlines with reminders.