Key takeaway
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Get to a safe spot, turn on your hazards, then exchange information and photograph the scene.
Is anyone hurt?
That’s the first and only question that matters at the start. Check yourself, then your passengers. If anyone is hurt — or you’re not sure — call 911. Let the professionals make the judgment calls.
Are you somewhere safe?
If the car drives and it’s safe to move, get out of traffic and turn on your hazards. If the car won’t move, hazards on, and get yourself somewhere safer if you can do it safely.
Then: the basics, one at a time
- Call the police and ask how to get the report number.
- Exchange names, phones, insurance, and plates with the other driver.
- Photograph everything: wide shots, close-ups, the road itself.
- If anyone saw it happen, ask for a name and number.
- Write down the time, place, and what happened while it’s fresh.
That’s the whole job in the first ten minutes. Everything else can wait.
General information, not legal advice. Every situation is different — consult a licensed attorney about your specific circumstances.
If you’d like a free consultation with an independent participating law firm, just reach out.
Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Transportation Safety (cdc.gov)
- USA.gov — Motor vehicle services and accident basics (usa.gov)
