What to do Immediately After an Accident

An automobile accident is one of those moments where time seems to speed up and slow down at the same time. One minute you’re driving to work or heading home, and the next you’re standing beside a damaged vehicle trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do next.

Most people aren’t thinking about lawsuits in those first few minutes—and they shouldn’t be. They’re worried about whether someone is hurt, whether the car can be driven, how they’ll get home, and what they’re supposed to say to the police or the insurance company.

This guide isn’t about helping you “build a case.” It’s about helping you make good decisions during a stressful situation.

Immediately After the Crash (First 10 Minutes)

Your first priority is safety.

Check yourself and everyone else for injuries. If any one has been injured or the accident seen isn’t safe, call 911 immediately and wait for emergency responders.

Even if you think you’re fine, remember that adrenaline is remarkably effective at masking pain. When I was seriously interested in accident in my late 20s I was up and walking around the scene after being ejected from a car. It was only after the EMTs took my blood pressure that the extent of my injuries was evident - I was bleeding out internally.

Paul’s Tip: If you aren’t sure whether you need medical attention, it’s generally better to be evaluated than to guess. Delaying treatment can complicate both your recovery and, if necessary later, your insurance claim.

While You’re Waiting at the Injury Site

If you’re physically able, begin documenting the scene before vehicles are moved.

Take photographs of:

• Every vehicle involved

• The damage from multiple angles

• The entire accident scene

• Road conditions

• Skid marks or debris

• Traffic lights and stop signs

• The absence of appropriate signs or warnings

• Weather and lighting conditions

• Any visible injuries

• Hazards that may have contributed to the incident

Then record a slow video walking around the scene while describing what you’re seeing.

If there are witnesses, politely ask for their names and contact information. Independent witnesses are very important because they don’t have a personal stake in what happens. Their observations are often viewed as especially credible.

If your vehicle has a dash camera, preserve that footage immediately. Many systems automatically overwrite recordings after a relatively short period.

Check to see if the other vehicle or vehicles involved have dash cams. See if there are any businesses that have security cameras or homes that have ring cameras that may have filmed the event. Make a note of those that do. You or your attorney can take steps to have that material preserved so it's available for your use during negotiations or a trial

When the Police Arrive

One question frequently asked is whether the police really need to be called.

Pennsylvania law requires police notification in certain circumstances, particularly when crashes involve injuries or significant damage. Even when a collision appears relatively minor, having an official report can become extremely helpful later if memories differ or insurance companies dispute what happened.

Also me ... the one personal injury case I had involved a low speed, rear end collision. The damages to my client's car were less than $1,000. But the impact itself exacerbated my client's existing injury. He called the police from the car. We obtained a police report. Having that report helped drive a six figure settlement. For a fender bender.

Me? I'd rather have the police involved and realize later I didn't need to have them involved then fail to call them and realize later I really should've had them there.

When speaking with the officer, stick to facts.

Describe what you saw, what you did, and what happened.

Avoid guessing.

Avoid arguing.

Avoid trying to assign blame.

There’s a meaningful difference between saying, “The light was green when I entered the intersection,” and saying, “The other driver was completely at fault.”

The first is an observation. The second is a conclusion.

Before leaving, if you have been given an opportunity to review the officers initial report and believe the report contains an obvious factual error, respectfully bring it to the officer’s attention.

If police do not respond because the collision is considered too minor don't freak out. Document everything yourself and ask how you can report the incident if necessary.

Paul’s Tip: Credibility matters. People who calmly report what they observed generally come across much better than people trying to convince everyone who was right.

When the Tow Truck Arrives

Many people don’t realize they often have choices.

Depending on the circumstances, the police may use a rotation list for towing companies, or you may be able to request your own. Ask the officer what the local practice is. You may also have options regarding where the vehicle is taken:

• Your home

• Your preferred repair shop

• The dealership

• An insurance-approved repair facility

• Another secure location

One issue people frequently overlook is storage fees.

A vehicle sitting in a storage yard may accumulate daily storage charges, administrative fees, and after-hours release fees. Acting promptly can sometimes prevent unnecessary expenses.

Before the tow truck leaves, remove anything important that you can safely retrieve, including:

• Prescription medications

• Wallet or purse

• Garage door opener

• Electronics

• Work equipment

• Personal documents

• Child safety seats, if practical

• Firearms, where lawful and safe to do so

Paul’s Tip: Before the truck pulls away, take one final video of your vehicle, including the interior, license plate, and any visible damage. People often remember details later that weren’t obvious in the stress of the moment.

That Evening

Once you’re home, back up every photograph and video.

Write down everything you remember while it’s still fresh. Small details that seem unforgettable that night often become surprisingly fuzzy a week later.

Notify your insurance company promptly. If your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, now is a good time to find out exactly what benefits are available.

If you need a rental vehicle, ask questions. Does your policy cover it? Will the other driver’s insurer approve one immediately? What type of vehicle is considered “comparable” to yours? There isn’t always a simple answer, and disputes sometimes arise over these issues.

Keep receipts for everything related to the accident, including rentals, rideshare expenses, parking, and other transportation costs. These "out of pocket" expenses are part of your claim if you are successful.

Over the Next Few Days

Continue paying very close attention to your health.

Aggressively seek and obtain appropriate evaluation and treatment.

Some injuries don’t fully appear until hours or even days after an accident. If symptoms develop, seek appropriate medical care and follow your provider’s recommendations.

Consistency matters. Gaps in treatment or missing appointments raise inferences which make it more difficult to explain the true impact of an injury later.

Also preserve every piece of paperwork you receive:

• Medical records

• Bills

• Repair estimates

• Insurance correspondence

• Rental agreements

• Receipts for out of pocket expenses (including co-pays!)

Evidence has a way of disappearing unless someone intentionally saves it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple mistakes can create unnecessary problems.

• Don’t apologize for causing the accident simply because you’re trying to be polite.

• Don’t post about the accident—or about how “fine” you’re feeling—on social media.

• Don’t repair your vehicle before thoroughly documenting its condition and obtaining counsel on how repairing your vehicle may impact your claim.

• Don’t throw away damaged clothing, helmets, or other personal property that may later help explain what happened.

• Don’t be pressured to accept the first settlement offer. Take a breath. There is rarely a good reason to settle a claim in the days or weeks immediately following an injury. Further, once you sign a release and the claim is resolved, there almost certainly will not be an opportunity to seek additional compensation if injuries turn out to be more significant than anyone initially believed.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one theme running through everything above, it’s this: slow down.

You don’t have to solve every issue related to the incident on the side of the road.

Focus first on safety. Document what you can. Preserve evidence before it disappears. Get appropriate medical care. Keep good records.

Those steps aren’t about preparing for litigation. They’re about protecting yourself, regardless of what happens next.

General information—not legal advice. Paul’s Guide is not a law firm. This article provides general educational information and may not address every fact, exception, jurisdiction, or change in the law. Legal rights and deadlines vary based on the circumstances and applicable law. Reading this article, by itself, does not create an attorney-client relationship with Paul’s Guide or Paul Zimmerman. For advice about a specific claim, promptly consult a lawyer licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction.