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WHAT TO DO - Car accidents happen fast. One moment you're driving normally. The next, metal is crunching and glass is breaking. The shock hits you first. Then comes the confusion about what to do next.
Your actions in those first minutes matter more than you'd think. They protect your health and your legal options. They also determine how smoothly your insurance claim goes. Here's what you actually need to do after a crash.
Prioritize Safety at the Scene
Get your car out of traffic if you can. Pull to the shoulder or into a parking lot. This stops another car from slamming into you. Flip on those hazard lights immediately.
Look around at everyone in your vehicle. Anyone bleeding or complaining of pain needs help now. Call 911 without hesitating. Some injuries don't show up right away though. Adrenaline is a weird thing. It masks pain for hours sometimes.
The police need to come for any serious accident. They'll write up an official report. That paperwork becomes gold later when insurance companies start asking questions. Don't skip this step even if the other driver seems nice and wants to "handle it privately."
Document Everything Thoroughly
Pull out your phone and start taking pictures. Lots of them. Get close-ups of every dent and scratch. Then step back and photograph the whole scene. Street signs matter. So do traffic lights and road conditions.
Now comes the information exchange. You need details from everyone involved:
• Their full name and phone number
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Driver's license number
• License plate number
• What kind of car they drive
See anyone standing around who saw what happened? Grab their contact info too. Witness statements carry real weight. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks how proper documentation improves insurance outcomes. Their data backs up what lawyers see every day.
Write down the police report number before the officer leaves. Get their name and badge number too. You'll want that report later.
Get Medical Attention Promptly
Head to a doctor within the next day or two. Yes, even if you feel okay. Your body lies to you after accidents. Whiplash sneaks up on people. So do concussions and internal injuries.
A medical exam does two things. It catches hidden injuries early. It also creates a paper trail linking your injuries to the crash. Tell the doctor about everything. That weird twinge in your neck counts. So does that dull headache you've been ignoring.
Stick with the treatment plan they give you. Miss appointments and insurance adjusters notice. They use it against you. An auto injury lawyer in Atlanta can explain how gaps in treatment hurt your case. Medical bills pile up fast after accidents. You need every dollar you're owed.
Keep every medical receipt and record. Write down how you feel each day. Note what you can't do anymore. Can't lift your kid because your back hurts? Write it down. These details matter when calculating damages.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Call your insurer within 24 hours. They require it in the fine print. Tell them the basics about where and when it happened. Describe what you saw happen.
Here's where you need to be careful. Insurance adjusters aren't your friends. They're trained to find reasons to pay less. Answer their questions but don't volunteer extra information. Don't let them record you without thinking it through first.
The other driver's insurance company will probably call you too. Remember they work for the other side. They want to close your claim for pennies. Those fast settlement offers? They usually come before you know how badly you're hurt. Some injuries get worse over time. Once you take their money and sign, that's it. You can't go back for more.
Know When to Seek Legal Help
Some accidents are straightforward. Others get messy fast. You probably need a lawyer if you're dealing with injuries. Same goes for disputed fault situations. Uninsured drivers create nightmares too.
Most injury attorneys talk to you for free at first. They'll tell you if you have a case. They'll estimate what it might be worth. Then they handle all the insurance company headaches. You can focus on healing instead of fighting with adjusters.
Timing matters here. Every state gives you a deadline to file claims. These statutes of limitations aren't flexible. Blow past your deadline and you lose your rights completely. Talk to someone early while the evidence is still fresh.
Protect Your Rights Going Forward
Stay off social media after an accident. Seriously. Insurance companies have people who search for your profiles. That happy vacation photo? They'll use it to claim you're not really hurt. That post about your workout? Same thing.
Track every penny the accident costs you. Medicine, bandages, gas to doctor appointments. All of it goes in your records. Can't work because of your injuries? Document every missed shift and lost dollar.
The whole process takes time. Insurance claims drag on for months. Legal cases can take even longer. Keep going to your medical appointments. Follow doctor's orders exactly. Let your lawyer or adjuster handle the back and forth. You just concentrate on getting better.
Car accidents flip your life upside down. But taking the right steps puts you back in control. Stay safe first. Document everything second. Get medical care and legal help when you need it. These basics protect you during one of the most stressful situations you'll face.
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