I JUST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT – WHAT DO I DO?

Written by Associate Attorney Dellya Talas ESQ

I’m going to hold your hand when I say this …you need to focus don’t panic.

Easier said than done, especially when nobody tells you what to do after a car accident. Not your parents, not your driver’s ed class, not the DMV. You just get handed a license and sent out into the world.

And then one day, out of nowhere, it happens. Your heart is racing, you’re shaking, and everyone is standing around looking at each other like “now what?”

Happens to us all. But this time I’m telling you all the things everyone forgot to tell you.

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Before anything else — before you grab your phone, before you worry about your bumper, before you even think about insurance — check on people. Yourself, your passengers, the other driver. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Do not get out of the car if you are injured. Stay still and wait for emergency services to come to you. Moving around after an accident when you’re hurt can make things significantly worse, even if you don’t realize it yet.

Don’t move someone else who might have an injury unless there’s an immediate danger like a fire.

If you’re on the freeway, the rules are a little different:

• If you can drive, move your car to the right shoulder — as far off the lanes as possible. Do not stop in a live lane.
• Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
• If you need to get out of the car, exit from the passenger side away from traffic, and move behind the guardrail or as far from the roadway as you can.
• If you cannot move the car and it’s safe to exit, get out and get away from the vehicle — staying inside a stopped car on the freeway is one of the most dangerous places to be.
• If you are injured and cannot safely exit, keep your seatbelt on, turn on hazard lights, call 911, and stay put until help arrives.

Step 2: Call the Police (Yes, Even for a Fender Bender)

A lot of people skip this step. Don’t. A police report creates an official record of what happened, and that record is your best friend if things get complicated later. In California, you’re legally required to report an accident if there are injuries or if the damage exceeds $1,000 — which, you will not know at the time, but a very easy limit to hit.

Wait for the officer, answer their questions calmly, and get the report number before you leave.

If you forgot the police report, but the other driver said that the accident was their fault, politely ask if they will allow you to record them saying that. If they say yes, then get the recorded statement from them.

Step 3: Exchange Information — All of It

This is the part people mess up the most. You need to collect:

• Full name and contact information
• Driver’s license number and state
• License plate number
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Make, model, and year of their vehicle

Take photos of their license and insurance card with your phone. Do the same for the damage to both vehicles and the scene overall. Photos are evidence. The other driver’s memory — and sometimes their story — can change. Yours won’t.

One more thing: be careful what you say. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even see you” feels polite in the moment. It can be used against you later. Stick to the facts.

 Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company — Sooner Than You Think

You need to report the accident to your own insurance even if you weren’t at fault. Most policies require prompt reporting, and waiting too long can complicate or even void your claim.

Call them within 24–48 hours. Give them the facts — when, where, what happened, who was involved. They’ll walk you through next steps. This is literally what you pay them for. Use it.

Step 5: See a Doctor, Even If You Feel Fine

This one is non-negotiable. Adrenaline is wild — it masks pain. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and even minor concussions can take 24–72 hours to fully show up. By then, if you haven’t seen a doctor, it becomes much harder to connect those injuries to the accident.

Go to an urgent care or emergency room the same day if possible. At minimum, get seen within 72 hours. Document everything — what hurts, when it started, how it’s affecting your daily life. That documentation matters, especially if you end up making a claim.

Step 6: Know When to Call an Attorney

Not every accident needs a lawyer. But some really do. We are useful if:

• You or anyone else was injured
• The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
• The insurance company is lowballing you or denying your claim
• Fault is disputed and it’s your word against theirs
• The damages are significant

Keep in mind there’s no cost to asking questions at a consultation. I became a lawyer to help me help you. Don’t wait too long to ask questions though, statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident — the earlier you get advice, the better your options.

You’ve Got This

Accidents are scary and chaotic and nobody prepares you for them. Just remember to stay calm as best you can, check on people, call the police, swap info, photograph everything, contact your insurance within 24–48 hours, see a doctor even if you feel fine, and call an attorney if things get complicated.