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Why these hours matter so much
What you document, say, and do in the hours right after an accident becomes the foundation of your entire claim. Insurance companies look closely at how quickly you sought care and how consistent your account has been from the start — so getting a few things right now saves you real trouble later.
You don't need to have everything figured out. You just need to follow a few concrete steps, in order.
What to do, in order
1
Check for injuries and call 911 if neededIf anyone is hurt, get emergency help first. A police report also gets created this way, which matters later.
2
Document the scenePhotos of both vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver's name, insurance, and license plate. Get contact info for any witnesses.
3
Get medical care the same day, even if you feel fineAdrenaline hides pain. A same-day medical record is one of the strongest things you can have for your claim.
4
Report the accident to your own insurerIdeally within 24 hours. This starts your 30-day window to file Form NF-2.
The other driver's insurance company may call you
You are not required to give them a recorded statement. It's okay to say you'll follow up once you've spoken with your own insurer or gotten medical care. Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim later.
Good to know
Delayed pain is common. Many injuries, especially soft-tissue and whiplash, don't show up for a day or two. That doesn't disqualify you.
Keep copies of everything. Photos, the police report number, medical paperwork, and any messages with insurers.
Be careful what you post online. Insurance companies do look at social media. Save the details for your claim, not your feed.
Common questions
Do I need a police report?
It's not always legally required, but it creates an official record of what happened and is one of the most useful documents for your claim. Get one if you can.
What if I don't have any visible injuries?
Get checked anyway. Some of the most common accident injuries, like whiplash or concussions, aren't visible and can take a day or more to show symptoms.
The other driver's insurance company called me. What should I say?
You're not required to give a recorded statement. It's fine to keep the call short and say you'll follow up after speaking with your own insurer.