What to do after an accident
Get out of traffic if you can. Call for help if anyone is hurt. Take photos and names while you're still there. After that, keep every bill and letter in one folder.
Safety first. Then get names, plate numbers and photos, and make a report if the rules where you are require one. If you're hurt, see a doctor before you give anyone a recorded statement. And don't sign a release in the parking lot.
Someone is bleeding heavily, struggling to breathe, has passed out, is getting more confused, keeps vomiting, feels weak or numb, has a seizure, or has severe neck or back pain. Call for anything else that looks life-threatening too. Don't move a badly injured person unless staying put is more dangerous.
- Safety: stop anyone else getting hurt, and get the medical care you need.
- Reporting: tell the right people, whether that's the police, the property owner, your employer or your insurer.
- Evidence: keep your photos, witness details, records and anything that got damaged.
- Deadlines: find out early how long you have to notify your insurer and to make a legal claim.
At the scene: the first 10 minutes
Accident scenes are chaotic. Deal with safety before you think about a claim. What you need to do depends on what happened: a car crash, a fall, a hazard on someone's property, an injury at work, a faulty product, a dog bite or something else.
Check for danger
Look for moving traffic, fire, smoke, leaking fuel, live wires, anything that could collapse, broken glass, water or an aggressive animal. If you can get somewhere safer without putting yourself at more risk, do it.
Check for injuries
Check yourself, then everyone else. Someone who can talk or walk isn't necessarily fine. Shock and adrenaline can hide pain and confusion for a while.
Call for help
Call emergency services if anyone might be hurt, the scene is still dangerous, traffic is blocked, a driver drives off, property is badly damaged, or the law where you are says the police must attend.
Stop a second accident
Put your hazard lights on or set out warning triangles if you have them. Don't stand in live traffic or go back into danger just to take a photo or grab your things.
Only give first aid you're trained to give. If you've called for help, do what the dispatcher and responders tell you.
Get the medical care you need
You see a doctor for your health, not for the paperwork. But the visit also leaves a dated record of your symptoms, what the doctor found, the diagnosis, your treatment, what you shouldn't do and when to come back.
Get checked urgently if you notice any of these
- You passed out, can't remember part of what happened, feel confused or are acting out of character
- A headache that's getting worse, repeated vomiting, a seizure, slurred speech or growing drowsiness
- Weakness, numbness, clumsiness, or losing control of your bladder or bowels
- Chest pain, trouble breathing, bad stomach pain, or bleeding that won't stop
- Severe neck or back pain, a bone that might be broken, or you can't put weight on a leg
- Anything that worries you in a child, an older person, someone pregnant or someone already unwell
Symptoms can appear or get worse hours or days later. You can have a concussion without ever passing out. It can affect your thinking, mood, balance and sleep, and make light and noise hard to bear.
At the appointment
Tell the doctor how the accident happened and every place that hurts. Say when each symptom started and whether it's getting better or worse. Mention old injuries, health conditions and any medication you take. Explain how you're coping with work, sleep, getting around, childcare and everyday tasks. Don't exaggerate, and don't play anything down.
Follow the treatment plan and go to your follow-up appointments. If you put off, miss or turn down treatment, write down the date and the reason. Cost, no way to get there, work, caring for someone, being ill, or your doctor's advice are all real reasons.
Document the accident without putting yourself at risk
Photos and notes taken on the spot capture details that vanish fast. Photograph more than you think you need, not just the obvious damage.
Scene photographs
- Wide shots showing the whole area
- The way you and others approached, and what each person could see
- Traffic lights, signs, lighting, weather and the ground surface
- Debris, spills, ice, potholes, broken steps, skid marks or damaged barriers
- Where vehicles or objects ended up, if it's safe
- Any cameras nearby, on shops, homes or buses
Damage and injuries
- Every side of each vehicle or damaged object
- Licence plates, fleet numbers, serial numbers or product labels
- Inside the vehicle: airbags that went off, seats and seat belts
- Torn or bloodied clothes and damaged belongings
- Your visible injuries, photographed again over the following days
- Repair estimates, and photos taken before anything is fixed
Keep the original files. Don't add filters, edit them or delete the blurry ones. Don't throw out damaged things just because you've bought replacements. Back up your photos and videos somewhere else as well, such as cloud storage or a second device.
Write down what happened while it's fresh
Note the date, the time and exactly where it happened. Describe what happened in order: which way you were going, how people and vehicles moved, the light, the weather and the ground. Add any warnings, what people said, your symptoms and when help arrived. Keep what you saw yourself separate from what someone else told you.
Information to collect
Only collect what you safely and legally can. If someone lets you photograph their documents, you won't copy anything down wrong.
| Source | What to write down |
|---|---|
| Other people involved | Full name, phone and email, address if it's appropriate, how they were involved, their vehicle or employer, and their insurer if relevant. |
| Witnesses | Name, phone number, email, where they were standing, and a quick note of what they seem to have seen. |
| Police and responders | Which service came, the officer's or responder's name, their badge or ID number, the report or incident number, and how to get a copy of the report. |
| Property or business | Who owns or runs the place, the manager, the staff member who took your report, the incident number, any maintenance or security company, and their insurer if they tell you. |
| Commercial vehicle or workplace | Company name, vehicle or fleet number, licence details, the employer, any contractor, the supervisor, and any registration or permit numbers on the vehicle. |
| Medical care | The hospital or clinic, who treated you, the date, the diagnosis, what you were told not to do, referrals, prescriptions and the follow-up plan. |
| Towing or storage | The company, where the vehicle is going, the fees, a list of what's inside it, what you need to get it back, and photos taken before it leaves your hands. |
Be polite, and give responders the facts. Don't guess, blame anyone, or go along with someone else's version of events at the scene. Asking "Are you OK?" is not the same as admitting anything. But saying more than you know can cause confusion later.
Report the accident to the right people
Who you have to tell depends on where you are and what kind of accident it was. Some reports are required by law. Others matter because they put people on notice and give them a chance to keep the evidence.
- Vehicle accident: tell the police or a collision reporting centre if local law requires it. Follow the local rules on moving vehicles and filing a report.
- Accident on someone's property: tell the owner, manager or security desk. Ask for a copy of the report or an incident number.
- Accident at work: tell your employer or supervisor quickly and follow the workplace injury process. Get urgent medical care first if you need it.
- Public property or a government body: find out quickly who is responsible, because special notice rules and short deadlines may apply.
- Injury from a product: keep the product, its packaging, the instructions, the receipt, the serial or batch number and proof of where you bought it.
Whenever you make a report, note who took it, the date and time, how you sent it and the reference number, and keep a copy of what you gave them. If the report gets something wrong, ask how to send a written correction or add a statement.
Ask for video to be kept
Footage from security cameras, dashcams, doorbells, traffic cameras, buses and shops can be recorded over within days. Send a written request asking them to keep it. Give the date, the time window, the place, and the people or vehicles involved. They may still refuse to hand it over, but if you wait, it may be gone for good.
Tell insurers, but be careful what you say
Most policies say you must report an accident promptly and cooperate with the insurer. Contact your insurer or broker in time, get a claim number, and keep a note of every call, email and letter.
What they'll usually ask for
- Your policy number and contact details
- The date, time and place
- A short description of what happened
- The people, vehicles and property involved
- The police or incident report number
- Injuries and damage you know about
- Where the damaged property is now
Questions to ask them
- Which parts of my policy might cover this?
- What are the deadlines for giving notice and proving my loss?
- Which documents do you need?
- Do I need approval before treatment, a rental, repairs or towing?
- Who is my adjuster?
- How do I claim extra costs as they come in?
- How do I complain or ask for a decision to be reviewed?
Recorded statements and consent forms
Before giving a statement, ask who wants it, which insurer or party they work for, whether it will be recorded, why they need it, and whether your policy requires it. Stick to facts. It's fine to say "I don't know." Don't guess at speed, distance, who was to blame, your diagnosis or how long you'll take to recover.
Read any form that lets someone get your medical, work or tax records. A form limited to the accident and your injuries may be reasonable. A broad one can open up records that have nothing to do with it. If your injuries or losses are serious, get legal advice before you sign.
Find out exactly what the payment is. It might be an advance, a refund of costs, a part settlement, a settlement for property damage only, or a final settlement of everything. A final release can end your rights for good, even if your injuries get worse or new costs turn up later.
The first week after an accident
In the first week, focus on your health, keeping evidence and building a reliable record. Working out what the claim is worth can wait.
- Keep up with medical care. Go to referrals, follow your doctor's limits, and report new or worsening symptoms.
- Get the reports. Ask for copies of police, incident, workplace, ambulance or fire reports.
- Keep the evidence. Back up your files, keep damaged clothes and belongings, and ask in writing for video and documents to be kept.
- Start one claim folder. Keep letters, claim numbers, contacts, medical papers, receipts and a timeline together.
- Tell your employer or benefit providers. Follow their process for time off work, disability benefits or any other cover you have.
- Check your deadlines. Look up your policy deadlines, any notice period for claims against a government body, benefit application dates, appeal rights and the time limit for suing.
Don't wait for a final diagnosis before you check deadlines. Some notices are due soon after the accident, long before you know how you'll recover.
Keep a simple recovery journal
Keep it short, factual and dated. You don't need dramatic language. It's there to help you and your doctors remember how your recovery went.
What to note each day or week
- Pain, dizziness, tiredness, sleep, mood, concentration and any other symptoms
- Medication and side effects
- Appointments, treatment, home exercises and what your doctor or therapist told you
- Work you missed, shorter hours, lighter duties or opportunities you lost
- Things you couldn't do, or needed help with
- Changes in getting around, driving, childcare, housework, hobbies and relationships
- Big improvements, setbacks or new symptoms
Be honest about good days as well as bad ones. A journal that shows you getting better is more believable than one where every day is the same. Keep anything you write to or for your lawyer separate from this journal.
Track every cost the accident causes
Insurers and courts usually pay only for losses you can prove. Keep receipts, invoices, statements and proof of payment. For each cost, add a short note saying how it's linked to the accident.
| Category | Records to keep |
|---|---|
| Medical and rehabilitation | Bills, prescriptions, crutches or braces, therapy invoices, benefit statements, and a log of mileage or taxi and bus fares to appointments. |
| Income and work | Pay slips, tax documents, rotas, letters from your employer, disability forms, contracts you missed, and proof of lighter duties. |
| Property | Photos, proof of ownership, repair estimates, invoices, evidence of value, and towing, storage, rental and replacement costs. |
| Household and care | Invoices or a log for childcare, cleaning, yard work, personal care and lifts, including help from family and friends with jobs you used to do yourself. |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Parking, meals when you had to travel, overnight stays, postage, copying, changes to make your home easier to use, and other reasonable costs. |
Keep a separate list of anything that's been paid back to you, so you don't claim the same cost twice. Depending on local law and who paid, some benefits may have to be repaid out of a settlement.
Mistakes that make recovery or a claim harder
Putting off medical care
Waiting can harm your health and make it hard to show when your symptoms started. Get care because you need it, not because there might be a claim.
Repairing or throwing away evidence too soon
Photograph and keep important items before they're repaired, thrown out, sold or handed over. If something might need to be inspected or tested, get advice first.
Guessing in statements
If you're not sure, say so. Make it clear what you saw yourself, what you're estimating and what someone else told you.
Signing without reading
A form can hide a release, a transfer of your rights, a records consent, loan terms or a claim on your settlement. Ask someone to explain it before you sign.
Posting online
Posts can be saved and read out of context. Don't post about who was to blame, your symptoms, what you've been doing, settlement talks or advice you've been given.
Missing short deadlines
Your insurer, a government body, your employer, a benefit scheme and the courts may each have a different deadline. Check all of them early.
Don't exaggerate, and don't play it down
Being believed matters. Describe your symptoms and limits accurately. If you're asked about old injuries or health conditions, tell the truth. An accident can make an existing condition worse, and that can be part of a claim. But a patchy or misleading history makes it harder for doctors and lawyers to judge your case.
When should you contact an accident lawyer?
You don't need a lawyer for every minor bump. The more a mistake could cost you, the more worthwhile early advice becomes.
| Situation | Why early advice may help |
|---|---|
| A serious or permanent injury, or one that's getting worse | It's hard to value future care, lost income and the effect on your life until your recovery is clearer. |
| A head or spinal injury, fracture, burn, amputation or death | These claims can involve expert evidence, long-term planning, claims by family members and many kinds of loss. |
| Someone disputes who was at fault | Witnesses, video, physical evidence and expert reports may need to be secured quickly. |
| A business, ride-share, government body, school or employer is involved | Several sets of rules, defendants, insurers and contracts may apply, along with special notice deadlines. |
| An insurer refuses, delays or stops your benefits | Reviews, complaints, appeals and court action may each have a different deadline. |
| You're asked to sign a broad release or records consent | Signing may affect your privacy, your benefits, what you have to repay and your right to claim later, sometimes for good. |
| A child, or an adult who can't make their own legal decisions, is hurt | A court may need to approve any settlement, and different time limits and guardianship rules may apply. |
Bring your timeline, photos, reports, medical records, insurance letters, work records, receipts and anything you've been asked to sign. Before you choose someone, read our guide to hiring an accident lawyer.
Printable accident checklist
Tick off only the steps that are safe and that fit your accident. Print it or save it to your phone so you have it if you ever need it.
At the scene
- Move away from danger
- Check for injuries and call emergency services
- Stop a second accident if you can
- Report it to the police, property staff or your supervisor
- Get names, contact details and insurance details
- Find witnesses who aren't involved
- Photograph the scene, the damage and the conditions
- Get a report or incident number
Within 24 hours
- Get checked by a doctor
- Write down exactly what happened
- Back up your photos and videos
- Tell your insurer
- Keep damaged clothes, products and belongings
- Note where your vehicle or property was towed or stored
- Tell your employer or benefit provider if you need to
- Start one accident folder
During the first week
- Ask for copies of reports
- Ask in writing for video to be kept
- Go to follow-up appointments
- Start a symptom and activity journal
- Save receipts and log missed work
- Check your insurance cover and deadlines
- Correct any wrong reports in writing
- Get legal advice if a lot is at stake
Before signing or settling
- Find out whether the payment is partial or final
- Read every release and consent form
- Think about future treatment and lost income
- List any repayments, fees and costs that come out of it
- Check you've found everyone responsible and every policy
- Check legal and benefit deadlines
- Keep a copy of the full agreement
- Get advice if anything is unclear
Do this today
Set up one folder with five sections: accident evidence, medical care, insurance, work and income, and expenses. Put a one-page timeline at the front and add to it whenever something important happens.
Read the car accident claims guideFrequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do after an accident?
Make sure you and everyone else are out of danger, then check for injuries. Move somewhere safer if you can do it safely, and call emergency services if anyone might be hurt. Photos and insurance details can wait a few minutes.
Should I see a doctor even if I feel fine?
Often, yes. Get checked if the impact was hard, you hit your head or passed out, or you have pain that's getting worse, dizziness, confusion, numbness, weakness or trouble breathing. Adrenaline can hide injuries, and some symptoms take hours or days to show.
What information should I collect after an accident?
If it's safe, get names and contact details for everyone involved and any witnesses, plus vehicle and insurance details if a vehicle was involved. Note report numbers and the names of the police or staff who dealt with it. Take photos and video of the scene and the damage.
Should I admit fault or apologize after an accident?
Stay calm and polite, but don't say whose fault it was. You may not know all the facts yet. Just tell responders what you saw and what happened to you.
When should I notify my insurance company?
As soon as you reasonably can. Many policies require prompt notice, so check yours for a deadline. Stick to what you know, and say "I'm not sure" rather than guessing.
Should I give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster?
Not before you know who's asking and why. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with your insurer, but the other side's insurer usually can't make you give one. Ask whether it's required, and get legal advice first if you're badly hurt or a lot of money is at stake.
What expenses should I track?
Everything the accident costs you: medical bills, therapy, medication, travel to appointments, parking, equipment, repairs, help at home, time off work and reduced hours. Keep the receipt and proof of payment for each one.
How long should I keep accident records?
Keep the whole file until every claim, benefit, expense, repayment and legal issue is completely settled. Time limits for claims differ by state, province and country, so if you're not sure, check the rules where you live before throwing anything away.
When should I contact an accident lawyer?
Early, if your injuries are serious or getting worse, someone disputes fault, several parties are involved, a business or government body is on the other side, your benefits have been refused, a deadline is close, or you've been asked to sign a final release.
Can social media affect an accident claim?
Yes. Insurers can look at public posts, photos, comments and location check-ins, and read them out of context. Don't post about the accident, who was at fault, your injuries, what you've been doing, settlement talks or your legal plans.
Where this information comes from
We explain how things usually work, not the exact law where you live. Reporting rules, insurance, benefits, time limits, evidence rules and the claims you can make all vary by country, state, province and type of accident, so check your local deadlines. Nothing here is emergency, medical, insurance or legal advice, and reading it doesn't make you our client.
Our health warnings follow public concussion and injury guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Our advice on insurance records follows consumer guidance from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Always follow local emergency instructions, your doctor's advice, your policy and current law.
See our Editorial Policy, Corrections Policy and Legal Disclaimer.
Published: August 3, 2026 · Last reviewed: September 2026 · Reading time: about 15 minutes · General information only. We're not a law firm, and nothing here is legal or medical advice.