At the Scene
- Get safe, then check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone may be hurt — and err toward "may be."
- Call law enforcement and wait for them. A crash report is the backbone of any claim.
- Photograph everything: vehicle positions before they move, damage, the roadway, skid marks, weather, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange information: names, phone numbers, insurance, plates. Get contact info for every witness.
- Say what happened — not whose fault it was. Don't apologize or speculate. "Are you okay?" is kindness; "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you" is a recorded admission.
In the Days After
- See a doctor even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks injuries, and a gap in treatment becomes the insurer's favorite argument.
- Report the crash to your own insurer — you have a duty to cooperate with your company.
- Keep everything: the report number, medical records and bills, repair estimates, missed-work records, and a short daily note about pain and limitations.
- Talk to a lawyer before the other insurer. Talking to a lawyer early is the one step that protects all the others.
Three Things Not to Do
- Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without legal advice.
- Don't sign anything — especially medical releases or "full and final" releases — before a lawyer reads it.
- Don't post about the crash on social media. Adjusters read it, and it will be taken out of context.
This checklist is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different — when in doubt, call us: 406-300-2343.