Attend to safety first · Capture the scene without guessing · Keep contact and report details · Start a dated follow-up log · Prepare a lawyer conversation
Attend to safety first
Call emergency services if someone is injured. If a vehicle can be moved safely, get it out of traffic. Follow instructions from responding authorities and seek appropriate medical care.
Capture the scene without guessing
Record the date, time, exact location, vehicles, plate numbers, and what you personally observed. If safe, photograph vehicle positions, damage, signs, and road conditions. Keep speculation about fault out of the factual record.
Keep contact and report details
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Record witness contact details and the responding officer’s name, badge number, and instructions for obtaining the report. Reporting duties differ by state and circumstance.
Start a dated follow-up log
Save repair estimates, medical documents, insurer messages, and receipts in separate folders. Note who asked for each document and when you supplied it. Preserve original images and messages.
Prepare a lawyer conversation
Bring the event record, known injuries, insurance correspondence, and your unanswered questions. Ask the firm whether it handles this incident and which deadlines it believes may apply.
Sources and verification
Source material was reviewed in September 2026. Check current information with the relevant authority; rules and procedures can change.
This is general information, not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship.