What to do in the first hour after a car accident

Even a minor crash scrambles your thinking. The problem is that what you do in the first hour — especially what you document and what you say — shapes the insurance claim that follows for months. Here's the order.

1. Stop, and make it safe

• Stop. Leaving the scene of an accident you were involved in — even one you didn't cause, even with no injuries — is a crime in every state
• Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, if a car can't be moved, or if the other driver seems impaired or hostile
• Hazard lights on. If the cars can be driven and nobody's hurt, many states want you to move out of traffic to the shoulder or a nearby lot — standing in live lanes is how second accidents happen

2. Exchange information

Every state requires drivers involved in a crash to exchange basic information. Get:

• Name, phone number, and address
• Driver's license number
• Insurance company and policy number (photograph their card)
• License plate, make, model, and color of every vehicle involved
• If the driver isn't the owner, the owner's name too

Also get names and phone numbers of any witnesses — they tend to leave within minutes, and an independent witness can settle a fault dispute.

3. Document everything

Use your phone before anything gets moved, if it's safe:

• Wide shots showing where the cars ended up relative to the road, signs, and signals
• Close-ups of every damaged area on every vehicle
• The other car's plate
• Skid marks, debris, road conditions, weather, and anything blocking visibility
• Any visible injuries

Then, while it's fresh, write or voice-record what happened: time, direction you were traveling, speed, what you saw.

4. Talk carefully

Be polite, and be factual. Don't say "I'm sorry" or "it was my fault" — even as a reflex. Fault is a legal and insurance determination made later with all the evidence, and your words at the scene can be used in it. Stick to exchanging information and describing facts.

5. Police report

Whether you must call police for a minor crash depends on your state — most require a report when there's an injury, a death, or damage above a set dollar amount (often somewhere between $500 and $2,500). Even when it's not required, a police report is useful neutral documentation, especially if the other driver's story might change. If officers don't come to the scene, ask how to file a report yourself, and get the report number.

6. Afterward

• Get checked out if anything hurts, even mildly — some injuries (like whiplash) show up a day or two later, and a prompt medical record matters for any claim
• Notify your insurer promptly. Most policies require it, even if you think the other driver is at fault
• Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company until you've talked to your own insurer — you're generally not obligated to
• Keep a folder: photos, the report number, claim numbers, repair estimates, medical bills, and a log of every call

Quick reference

1. Stop — leaving the scene is a crime everywhere
2. Call 911 for injuries; move out of traffic if you safely can
3. Exchange license, insurance, plate, and contact info; get witnesses
4. Photograph everything before it's moved
5. Be polite, stick to facts — don't apologize or admit fault
6. Report to police if required in your state (and often even if not)
7. Notify your insurer; get checked out if anything hurts