After a Car Accident: Essential Follow-Up Steps

Once everyone is safe after a car accident, your immediate priorities should be reporting the incident to the authorities and your insurance company. You should also gather all the evidence you can, taking notes and photos of the details of the incident. It’s also a good idea to seek medical evaluation, even when you feel like you have no obvious injuries.

The aftermath of a car accident may feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure if you handled everything correctly at the scene. Some car accident victims worry about potential legal consequences and insurance coverage, while others fear they might have missed an important step that could affect their insurance claims process. Consulting with a car accident attorney is a good way to protect your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation.

Immediate Steps To Take at the Scene of an Accident

Traffic accidents usually happen so quickly that it can be difficult to determine how the accident happened and who was at fault. It helps to have a general outline of the first steps you should take.

The first steps following a car accident include:

• Contact law enforcement if there are injuries, deaths, or instances of property damage. Ask that a police report be completed and filed when law enforcement arrives on the scene of your auto accident.
• Remain at the scene of the accident. If you are uninjured or if the accident was only a minor fender bender, it is still a good idea to call law enforcement to document the incident with a police report. Stay on the side of the road with your hazard lights on and wait for a police officer to arrive. Keep in mind that leaving the accident scene or committing a hit-and-run can have serious legal consequences.
• Check the drivers and passengers to make sure they are safe. Get medical attention for those who need it. Be careful not to move anyone with neck or back pain, as doing so could result in even worse injuries.
• Exchange information with the other motorist(s) involved, passengers, and any witnesses. You’ll want to get names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and basic insurance information like the company’s name and the driver’s policy number.
• Take pictures of the damage or any injuries. Using the camera on a cell phone is fine. Pictures should show all angles of the cars. Include any other visual details that help explain the accident, such as skid marks, road conditions, and the vehicle damage that both parties sustained. These details will help a lawyer or a jury understand what happened. The police should also document this in their accident report.
• Contact your insurance company promptly. Keep in mind that the insurance adjuster may deny your injury claim if you fail to tell the truth or delay reporting the incident.
• Track your medical treatment if you have sustained any personal injuries. This will allow you to accurately estimate your medical bills and level of pain and suffering. You can also reach out to a personal injury attorney to seek advice on what types of damages you may be entitled to recover. They can also give legal advice on how to properly document your injuries for maximum compensation.

If you’re not sure if your accident is serious enough to meet state law damage requirements for alerting law enforcement, err on the side of caution and call the police.

Taking Notes About Car Accident Injuries

Take note of any property damage on your vehicle. Taking notes after a car accident will help you accurately report it to law enforcement authorities and your auto insurance company. In your notes, you’ll want to write down everything you can remember that is accident-related, including:

• How the accident started
• How it unfolded at impact(s)
• What happened after the crash 
• The weather conditions at the time of the crash
• The other driver’s insurance company details and contact information
• Any signs of driver impairment at the time of the accident, such as intoxication
• Any statement made after the accident that might help explain who was at fault
• If the other party was uninsured
• The other driver’s insurance policy number

If you speak to the other driver, make notes about any statements they make and anything of note. Did they admit fault in causing the accident? Do you smell alcohol or cannabis?

If you have sustained an injury, write down or make a recorded statement on everything you can remember about how it happened. Continue taking notes over the next few days or weeks, as symptoms come and go or as new conditions develop. Concussions and whiplash, for instance, may not be apparent at first. However, even mild symptoms may indicate a more serious injury. These details are important in gathering evidence that is helpful when you attempt to secure fair compensation.

Critical Reporting Requirements After Leaving the Scene

If you left the accident scene without calling law enforcement, you can still report the incident within a certain period. Every state requires drivers to file a car accident report within a certain period, particularly if it results in injury, death, or damage to property exceeding the state’s threshold amount.

For example, in California, drivers involved in a car crash should report the incident as soon as possible (within 24 hours) to the police if it caused injury or death, and to the DMV within 10 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage of at least $1,000. In Virginia ,the state requires drivers to immediately report the accident to law enforcement if it caused injury, death, or property damage of $1,500 or more.

When To Report a Car Accident

Knowing if you should report an accident to your car insurance provider, to the other driver’s insurance company, or not at all can be confusing. The rule of thumb is that you should report most car accidents to your own insurance company as soon as possible, especially if it’s your fault. In no-fault states, you must notify your carrier to receive coverage for your own damages regardless of who caused the accident.

Some insurance policies indicate how long insured drivers have to report an accident. Make sure you check your policy if you’re uncertain. You can also check your state’s DMV website or your state law to learn how long you have to report a car accident. In general, reporting it quickly is the best option. You can also consult a car accident attorney to seek guidance on when and how to report a car accident. To help, we’ve gathered answers to common questions about car accidents.

Discuss Your Car Accident Claim With a Lawyer

Handling the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming. It involves complex reporting requirements, talking to insurance adjusters, and keeping track of important deadlines. Although insurance companies may seem helpful, you should be wary of accepting settlement offers. Most insurance companies prioritize minimizing your insurance claim over protecting your interests.

However, you don’t have to go through this alone. You can talk to a car accident lawyer or a personal injury lawyer. They can evaluate your case and protect your legal rights to receive fair compensation.