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What to do after a car accident
Start with immediate safety, then organize the information needed for insurance and any legal questions. These steps give you a practical starting point without assuming who caused the crash.
By SettlementLift. Published · Updated .
Put safety first
Call 911 if someone is injured. If the vehicle is drivable, move it away from traffic only when you can do so safely. Follow the directions of emergency responders. Gathering information can wait when the scene is unsafe.
NAIC: Filing an auto claim ↗Gather the basic crash information
When safe, exchange names and insurance details with the other driver. Record the vehicles and license plates, witness contacts, date, time and location. Photograph the scene and visible damage when safe. If an officer responds, ask for the report number and where the report can be obtained.
NAIC: Auto insurance consumer guide ↗Contact your insurer and keep a record
Use the claim contact on your insurance card or your insurer’s official app. Explain what happened and ask what documents are needed. Keep notes of conversations, names and dates. If you disagree with a decision, ask for its written explanation; your state insurance department may help with an unresolved claims-handling concern.
NAIC: Filing an auto claim ↗Make a simple document folder
A useful working folder can have four parts: the crash/report reference, insurance communications, expense receipts, and questions you want answered. Keep original documents and put dates on your own notes. This organizational suggestion is meant to reduce repeated searching; it does not establish what evidence a particular claim requires.
Prepare for a conversation with an attorney
Ask whether the lawyer handles situations like yours, who would work on the matter, and how fees and expenses would be charged. Ask for an explanation of the case’s strengths and weaknesses. A promised large settlement is not a reliable basis for choosing representation.
ABA: Questions to ask a lawyer ↗Keep the next steps separate
An insurance claim, choosing an attorney and considering settlement funding are different decisions. Write down the question you need answered first. A SettlementLift inquiry requests a response from SettlementLift; it does not appoint an attorney or produce a funding offer.