Your Car Got Hit. Here's What to Do in the First 24 Hours
The first 24 hours after a car accident determine how smoothly your repair and insurance claim go. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.
The seconds after a crash feel strange. Your hands might be shaking. Your brain is juggling three conversations at once. That's completely normal — and also exactly why knowing what to do before it happens is so useful. What you do in the first 24 hours after a car accident shapes your insurance claim, your legal standing, and how fast you get back on the road.
At the Scene: The First 15 Minutes
- Check yourself and everyone in your car for injuries first — everything else waits
- If the cars are drivable, move to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot
- Turn on your hazard lights; set up flares or a reflective triangle if you have them
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, the road is blocked, or there's serious damage
- Don't apologize or admit fault — even a casual "I'm so sorry" can be used against you later
Never leave the scene, even when the damage looks minor. Hit-and-run is a criminal offense in every state. Wait for the other driver, exchange information, and document the scene before you go anywhere.
What to Document After a Car Accident
Your phone is your best tool right now. Pull it out and start capturing everything while you're still at the scene:
- Wide shots and close-ups of all damage to both vehicles
- The full scene — road layout, traffic signs, intersections, skid marks
- The other driver's name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number
- Their license plate and driver's license number
- Photos of their insurance card and license — faster than writing it all down
- Names and phone numbers of any witnesses nearby
- Street names, mile markers, or nearby landmarks for the exact location
Shoot a slow video walkthrough of both cars before anyone moves them. Panning around the scene gives you spatial context that a handful of still photos can't fully capture — especially for showing the angle of impact.
Filing a Police Report
Most states require you to file a report when there are injuries or when damage exceeds a dollar threshold — usually $500 to $2,500. But even when it's technically optional, get a report anyway.
The officer documents the scene, interviews both drivers, and notes contributing factors like road conditions or traffic violations. You'll get a report number — write it down immediately. Your insurer will ask for it, and it becomes your official record of what happened.
Calling Your Insurance Company
Call your insurer the same day. Most policies require "prompt notification" of accidents, and waiting gives the company a technical reason to push back on your claim. You don't need everything figured out — just report the basics.
- Have your policy number ready before you dial
- Stick to the facts: when, where, what happened
- Give them the other driver's insurance information
- Provide the police report number
- Ask about rental car coverage and next steps
- You can decline a recorded statement for now — you have every right to call back once you've gathered your thoughts
Get Checked Out, Even If You Feel Fine
This one catches a lot of people off guard. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and even mild concussions can take hours — sometimes days — to show symptoms. If there's any chance you got knocked around, see a doctor within 24 hours of the accident.
Medical records from the day of the accident create a direct link between the crash and any injuries. If you wait two weeks, insurers and attorneys will argue the injury happened somewhere else entirely.
Your 24-Hour Checklist After a Car Accident
- Make sure everyone is safe; call for medical help if needed
- Photograph and video the full scene before leaving
- Exchange information with the other driver
- File a police report
- Call your insurance company to open a claim
- See a doctor if there's any chance of injury
- Do not post about the accident on social media — anything you write can surface in a claim dispute
- Start researching body shops — don't just take the first one your insurer suggests
- Save every receipt: towing, rental car, medical visits
- Write down your account of what happened while the details are still fresh
An accident is a stressful event with a business side. The more organized you are in those first 24 hours, the smoother everything that follows tends to go.
