What to Do After a Car Accident: Claim Checklist

Right after a crash, your heart is pounding and it is hard to think clearly. That is normal. This checklist is here so you do not have to remember everything in the moment. Save it on your phone or print it for your glove box now, before you ever need it.

It is organized by time: the first minutes at the scene, the first few days, and the weeks of the insurance claim. Each step protects either your health, your claim, or both.

At the scene

1. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Your health comes first, always. Do not move someone with neck or back pain unless there is immediate danger like fire.
2. Get to safety. If the cars can move and it is safe, pull out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and set out flares or triangles if you have them.
3. Call the police, even for a minor crash if your state or the situation calls for it. A police report is one of the most useful documents in any claim, because it records the scene, the drivers and often an initial view of fault.
4. Exchange information with the other driver: name, phone, address, driver's license number, plate number, insurance company and policy number. A photo of their license and insurance card is the fastest way.
5. Take photos of both cars from several angles, the damage up close, the road, traffic signs and signals, skid marks, debris and weather. Take more than you think you need.
6. Get witness names and numbers. People leave quickly, and independent witnesses carry a lot of weight when fault is disputed.
7. Do not admit fault or apologize. Stick to facts. Fault is decided later, with all the evidence, and an apology at the scene can be used against you.
8. Note the details: time, location, direction of travel, speed limit and what you remember. A voice memo works well.

What to collect: a quick list

Item	Why it matters
Police report number	Official record of the crash
Other driver's insurance and plate	Needed to file your claim
Photos and video	Shows damage, positions and conditions
Witness contacts	Supports your version of events
Names of officers	Helps you get the report later
Medical records from day one	Links injuries to the crash

Within 24 to 72 hours

1. See a doctor, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides pain, and some injuries like whiplash and concussions show up a day or two later. A visit soon after the crash also links your injuries to the accident, which matters for the claim. Read about whiplash claims and concussion claims if you have symptoms.
2. Report the crash to your insurer. Most policies require prompt notice, even if you were not at fault.
3. Report to the other driver's insurer and get a claim number in writing. Our guides to how State Farm, GEICO and Progressive handle claims explain what to expect.
4. Start a folder (paper or digital) for everything: the police report number, photos, bills, receipts, and a log of calls with dates and names.
5. Write down what happened while it is fresh, in your own words.
6. Check your own coverage. Look for MedPay or PIP, rental coverage, collision and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your declarations page.

During the claim

• Follow your treatment plan. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons adjusters cut injury claims.
• Keep every receipt, including prescriptions, parking and mileage to appointments.
• Track missed work with dates and hours, and ask your employer for a letter.
• Keep a short pain journal. A few lines a day about pain, sleep and what you could not do. It becomes powerful evidence later.
• Be careful with recorded statements to the other driver's insurer. You can politely decline or ask to answer questions in writing.
• Stay off social media about the crash, your injuries or your activities. Posts can be taken out of context.
• Do not sign a release or cash a check marked "final" until you know the full cost of your injuries.
• Get your car assessed for diminished value once it is repaired. It is money many people never ask for.

Know your numbers

Before you talk settlement, run the car accident settlement calculator to see a realistic range for your bills, injury and state. If your car was repaired, check the diminished value calculator too. When the insurer makes an offer, the take-home calculator shows what you would actually keep after fees and liens.

Understand your state's rules

Your state decides who pays first and what happens if you share some of the blame:

• In no-fault states, your own PIP pays medical bills first. See at-fault vs no-fault states.
• In contributory negligence states, even 1% fault can bar your claim. See comparative vs contributory negligence.
• Every state has a filing deadline. Find yours on our state rules pages.

When to call a lawyer

Consider a free consultation if any of these apply:

• You were seriously hurt, hospitalized or still in treatment
• Fault is disputed or the other driver blames you
• The other driver is uninsured or has low limits
• The insurer is delaying, denying or pressuring you
• A filing deadline is getting close
• A commercial vehicle, rideshare or government vehicle was involved

Printable summary

1. Safety and 911
2. Police report
3. Exchange information
4. Photos and witnesses
5. No apologies, no fault
6. Doctor within 72 hours
7. Report to both insurers
8. Keep every record
9. Follow treatment
10. Know your numbers before you negotiate

If you were a passenger

Passengers follow most of the same steps: get medical care, collect information from every driver involved, take photos and get the police report. Passengers are rarely at fault, so their claims are often simpler. You may be able to claim against the at-fault driver's insurance, and in some cases against both drivers' insurers. Your own auto policy's MedPay or PIP may also cover your medical bills, even when you were riding in someone else's car.

If a rideshare, delivery or work vehicle was involved

Commercial crashes add layers. Rideshare and delivery companies often carry different coverage depending on whether the driver was logged in, carrying a passenger, or off duty. Company vehicles may be covered by a business policy. Collect the company name, the vehicle number and the driver's employer, take screenshots of the app trip if you were a passenger, and report the crash to the company as well as the insurers. These claims are often worth a free consultation with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Should I go to the doctor after a minor car accident?

Yes. Some injuries appear a day or two later, and early records help connect injuries to the crash.

Should I call the police after a small accident?

It depends on your state and the situation, but a police report is valuable for any claim, especially if fault could be disputed.

Do I have to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance?

Generally no. You can decline or ask to provide information in writing. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with your own insurer.

How soon should I report a car accident to my insurance?

As soon as you reasonably can. Most policies require prompt notice, and waiting can create problems with coverage.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

Check your policy for uninsured motorist coverage, which can pay for your injuries and sometimes property damage.

Should I accept a quick settlement offer after a crash?

Be careful. Early offers often come before you know the full extent of your injuries, and a settlement is final.