What to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Serious Accident

Nobody plans for it. One minute you're driving home, and the next you're standing on the shoulder with your hands shaking, trying to remember your own phone number.

The first two days after a serious accident are chaotic. They also quietly shape everything that comes after: your health, your insurance claim, and any case you may have. Here's what I'd want someone I cared about to know.

1. Get medical care, even if you feel fine.

Adrenaline is a powerful painkiller. Plenty of serious injuries, including head, neck and back injuries, don't announce themselves until a day or two later. Get checked out. Then follow up and follow through. Your health comes first, and gaps in treatment are also one of the first things an insurance company points to when it argues you weren't really hurt.

2. Make sure there's a police report.

Call the police from the scene if you can. If you couldn't, find out how to file a report afterward. Write down the report number and the responding officer's name.

3. Document everything while it's fresh.

If you're able, or if someone with you is:

• Photograph the vehicles, the scene, skid marks, traffic signals and road conditions.
• Photograph your injuries, and keep doing it as they change.
• Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Witnesses disappear fast.
• Get the other driver's name, license, plate and insurance information.

The evidence that decides a case is usually gathered in the first 48 hours, or lost in them.

4. Say less than you want to.

It's human to apologize at a crash scene. Don't. Stick to the facts with police and medical staff, and don't argue about who caused it. What you say in shock can be repeated back to you months later.

5. Be careful with the other driver's insurance company.

Notify your own insurer promptly, because your policy likely requires it. The other driver's insurer is a different matter. They may call quickly, sound very friendly and ask for a recorded statement. You generally aren't required to give one, and it's wise to talk to a lawyer before you do.

6. Don't sign anything or cash a quick check.

An early settlement offer can arrive before you even know how badly you're hurt. Accepting it usually means signing away the rest of your claim for good. Don't sign releases or medical authorizations from the other side without advice.

7. Preserve what can't be recreated.

Don't repair or junk your car until it's been photographed. Save any dashcam footage. Nearby businesses often record over their security footage within days, so if a camera might have caught the crash, a lawyer can ask them to preserve it quickly.

8. Stay off social media.

A photo of you smiling at a birthday party can be used to argue you aren't really hurt. Don't post about the accident, your injuries or your recovery.

9. Start a simple file.

Keep every medical bill, receipt, pharmacy record and note about missed work. A short daily journal of your pain and limits can be surprisingly valuable later.

10. Know that the clock is already running.

Every claim has a filing deadline, and some are much shorter than people expect. A claim involving a government vehicle or a city road, for example, can require formal notice in as little as 90 days. Don't assume you have time.

If you can't do this yourself.

If you're in the hospital or simply not up to it, hand this list to someone you trust. A spouse, a friend or a grown child can do most of it, and a lawyer can take over anything that involves the other side.

Where Lexmatch fits.

The first 48 hours are the worst time to choose a lawyer, and often exactly when you need one. Tell us what happened, and a Lexmatch attorney will come back with a short list of lawyers chosen for your kind of accident, your injuries and your county, with the reason for each. You can make the decision once the dust settles.

This article is general information, not legal or medical advice. In an emergency, call 911. Deadlines and rules vary by state.