What To Do If You’ve Been In a Vehicle Accident

Jun 15, 2023

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you understand first hand that your mind is going a mile a minute as you process the shock of the situation. It can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve sustained any injuries or are worried about passengers. It’s certainly not easy to clear your head and gather your thoughts to remember what information you need to exchange or gather. That’s why we’re here to help with a handy checklist of information that you can keep in your vehicle for any future incidents to help make sure you take proper steps to protect yourself and gather pertinent information.

(And of course, if you’ve never been involved in a car accident,that’s fantastic news! We hope that you continue to have a safe driving experience and avoid accidents in your future as well, but please do print this out and keep it on hand just in case!)

Always keep an emergency supply bag/box in your vehicle in case of emergencies or accidents:

Bottled Water
Basic First Aid Kit
Flashlights
Blankets
Jumper Cables
Disposable Camera
Note Pad and Pen/Pencil

Always make sure you have the following items in your glove compartment or other safe space in your vehicle:

Updated license and registration
Copies of your insurance ID cards
Emergency contact information of friends/family

Things to keep in mind:

Don’t post to social media or discuss the accident with anyone other than an attorney or your insurance company representative.
Keep in Touch with your insurance company and keep clear, concise records of all communication with them, the other party’s insurance, medical doctors, etc.
Get a physical copy of the police/accident report.
Keep track of all expenses and keep copies of all receipts for related expenses.
Keep track of all medical treatments and request clear copies of records.
Consider hiring an attorney, or requesting assistance through your car insurance company.

What to do if you’ve unfortunately been in an accident or collision with another vehicle:

Stop your vehicle, turn on your hazards, and turn off your engine. Assess the situation as best you can, and determine if it is safe to exit your vehicle. If the vehicles pose a threat to traffic or other drivers, and it is safe to do so, get your vehicles moved to the side of the road and out of oncoming traffic. (If/When it is safe to do so, exit the vehicle and take photographs of the situation as best you are able before moving any vehicles; this may be helpful to insurance/law enforcement’s ability to assess cause/fault.) Do your best not to block traffic or stand in the road.
Get yourselves to safety if you are unable to move the vehicles; find a safe space in the median, the shoulder, or other safe distance from oncoming traffic or dangerously damaged vehicles.
Contact 9-1-1 or local law enforcement and let them know that you have been in an accident. The operator or local police will arrange for an ambulance and officer to arrive on-site and assess all parties.
Stay calm, avoid getting into arguments, and be sure to have a clear exchange of information with the other party/parties involved. Make sure to get their contact and insurance information. Be sure to get the following:
- Their name, age, address, phone number, work number/employer info if possible
- Car insurance company and policy number and policy expiration date
- License plate number for the driver/owner of each vehicle
Thoroughly document the situation (for use with your personal injury lawyer and insurance claims agent):
- Note the date, time, and weather at the time of the incident.
- Take photos with your cell phone or camera.
- Create a simple diagram of the incident and the vehicles involved and direction of travel.
- Document the condition of each car
- Document any injuries to all involved persons/pets and note if the person is a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or member of the other party
Gather names and contact information of any potential witnesses (bystanders, other drivers, etc.) who will be able to recount or corroborate the events and testimony of those involved.
DO NOT admit fault or volunteer information unless law enforcement is questioning you; any comments you make may be used against you during your claim, case, or potential trial.
Request medical assessment and seek medical help. If you feel you have been seriously injured on site, request transport to a hospital or local emergency room. If you do not feel immediate transport is required, call and schedule a doctor’s appointment ASAP and let them know you’ve been in an accident so they can log your physical condition and do a thorough physical examination for your records. Sometimes pain can be latent, and set in a few hours/days later; making sure to log medical and physical condition can be helpful during coverage/litigation.
File an accident report, and pick up a copy at the police station or via the Department of Motor Vehicles website. Report the accident to your insurance company, even if you think the other driver is at fault. If your report is not filed, you may experience issues and struggles during insurance claims or other incident related filings. Many insurance providers have an app that you can download and report directly from the scene of the accident and immediately upload your documentation.

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only, and does not substitute for legal advice or official recommendations. Please consult your attorney and/or insurance company for specifics.