Our guide, “What to do After a Car Accident Checklist,” provides step-by-step instructions to ensure your safety, protect your rights, and help you start the recovery process effectively. Whether you were in an accident in Salt Lake City, or anywhere in Utah, the following checklist will help you with what to do at the scene of the accident, and how to file a claim after a car accident.

 

Precautions to take to avoid car accidents/ Before the accident:

Although accidents are unpredictable, that does not mean that you should not be prepared beforehand. It is recommended you always keep a copy of the following items in your vehicle: 

  • A copy of your insurance card
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Driver’s license
  • Other recommended items are a first aid kit and roadside safety kit. 

Things to do at the accident scene:

We understand that accidents can be traumatic and overwhelming; in those times it can be difficult to think logically. It is difficult to remind yourself what to do after a car accident, but we should try our best.

Take deep breaths, try to calm yourself down, and be cooperative with those who are there to help you. The following are some important steps to take immediately after the car accident in order to manage the situation and help secure your future personal injury claim 

Try to stay calm:

Do not panic, The accident scene can be traumatic, but take that moment to breathe, and try to pull yourself together. You may not realize the extent of the injury due to shock and the adrenaline rush, and staying calm may sound impossible, but that’s the best thing to do. It is key in helping you proceed with the next steps.

What to do after car accident checklist

Take a 360 view and call for help

Try to take a quick look around yourself to ensure that you and the other vehicles are physically safe and in a safe location. In case of a minor accident try to move the damaged vehicles to the side of the road, cleared for the oncoming traffic, and turn on your hazard lights.

However, if you are badly injured remember that your health and safety come first, don’t be concerned about the vehicles, only ensure that you are out of harm’s way while you wait for help to arrive.  Call 911 as soon as possible after assessing your injuries and report the accident. Do not assume that bystanders or other drivers may call 911.


Tell the 911 operator about your condition and your property damage. Explain the course of events to the best of your knowledge.

If you are conscious and can move, try to look for the other passengers and drivers to see if they have suffered any serious injuries. Always call the police Immediately, and request an ambulance if someone is in need of medical attention.

No matter how minor or severe the accident is, always call the police, and file a police report. Be sure to notify police officers and them, especially of severe injuries, death, or severe property damage.

Even when everybody seems to be all right and there is no injury, it is always a good idea  to call the police so that they can document the scene of the accident.

Injuries and complications may develop later, and it is important that you document your crash with the authorities after it happens to preserve evidence.

If an ambulance comes to the scene of an accident, let the paramedics fully examine you and avoid saying the phrase “I’m fine.”  This can be taken wrong later on in your case if you end up needing medical treatment. 

Exchange personal information

Try to gather information about the other drivers involved who may be responsible for the car accident. Try to get as much information about other driver as possible, such as:

  • Names
  • Addresses
  • Insurance company names
  • Picture of the license plates
  • Pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved
  • Policy numbers
  • Relevant details (witness information, alternate contacts, etc.).

You should also provide similar information to the other drivers in case you are at fault for the accident

person looking at their phone

Document the scene before filing a car insurance claim

Take photos of the scene of the accident, damaged property, and injuries as well (such as bruises or cuts that may appear). Try to preserve as much evidence as you can; you can do this by taking notes, photos, or videos, to document what happened so that you have as many details as possible to report the accident. You can worry about filing a claim later, it is more important to immediately have the police present for accurate information and genuine records of the scene of the accident. After speaking to the eyewitnesses and exchanging contact information,  try to document the following items:

  1. Take as many photos as you can, even when the fellow drivers involved do not agree with you.
  2. Capture the driver’s license plate.
  3. Call the police for an accident report and follow up to get a copy of the police report.
  4. Ask for the police officer’s name, officer badge number, and phone number.
  5. Investigate other witnesses, and their contact information, but do not assume they will volunteer to provide information if you do not ask for it.
  6. Allow eyewitnesses to engage, but do not force them to say anything about you on your behalf.
  7. Look for your insurance card for coverage on any vehicle repairs.
  8. Also, take photos of any other relevant details and potential drivers that may be involved in the accident scene.
  9. Review the area for businesses or homes that may have camera footage that captured the crash. 
  10. If your car is towed, save the contact information of the name of the towing company to retrieve your car later. 
Taking photos of road

Gather and save every piece of documentation

It is crucial to document everything. Your car insurance company and your personal injury attorney (if you hire one) will need as much information as possible.

For your car insurance claim and other legal matters, you must start collecting all of your medical documentation about your injuries as soon as possible. This information will be reviewed for your insurance claim process and with the insurance company later. If you hire an attorney for your car accident, this will help them learn about your injuries’ particular treatments that you are in need of, and help build your personal injury claim.

Extra tips:

  1. Seek legal advice before signing any paper or giving any verbal statements to the insurance company.
  2. Even if it’s a minor fender bender make sure to call the police.
  3. Do not discuss the car accident details with anyone else but your lawyer.
  4. Do not admit fault – the police and insurance company will undergo their own investigation.
  5. Do not file a claim until the police arrive.
Ambulance rushing after car accident

What do I do after I leave the car accident scene?

After leaving the accident scene, the following are some additional procedures recommended to take immediately in order to protect your claim and help you maximize your recovery for medical treatment and to ensure all damages get covered.

Talk to Your Insurance Company

After the accident, if you are hiring an attorney, it is not recommended that you speak to any insurance company, including your own. It is best if you provide your insurance company information to your attorney, so that they can call open a claim on your behalf and request a full copy of your insurance policy. If you have the contact of the other driver’s insurance company, provide this to your attorney as well, so they can contact them and open a claim on your behalf. 

If you hire an attorney, they will communicate with both the first and third party insurance companies to understand what coverages exist, and who is at fault. If you must speak to them on your own it will be important to ask similar questions, i.e.: what coverage exists, who was found at fault, what are the policy limits available for coverage, and so forth.

person making insurance claim on laptop

Get yourself legal help:

If you have been in a car accident you should seek legal representation and may contact your insurance agent or provider, and exchange insurance information. However, before officially filing a claim with the your insurance agent, or a lawsuit, you should consult with a lawyer for a free consultation. They can determine if you need an attorney or not.

Your lawyer may like to proceed with the driver’s insurance information and several other documents. Most of the time car accident victims are entitled to reclaim compensation for lost wages, medical treatments, and pain and suffering.

A lawyer specializing in motor vehicle accidents and personal injuries will deal with the insurance companies and can help you attain  the best compensation and settlements. Aside from providing assistance in achieving the best final results,  a car accident lawyer will take on the responsibility and stress of interacting with the insurance company and is best adept to help complicated court proceedings if your case goes into litigation.

personal injury attorney talking on the phone outside courthouse

Other tips:

  1. Get to a doctor as soon as possible after the crash, early medical documentation is essential.
  2. Keep  track of your medical records, and medical treatments.
  3. Getting a proper property damage valuation is crucial; if your car is not a total loss be sure to obtain a full tear down of your vehicle and demand that your vehicle be repaired with OEM parts.
  4. Before providing any statements to the insurance company – the other driver’s or your own – make sure to contact a personal injury attorney. Always secure your rights to full compensation and damages by contacting an experienced lawyer.
  5. Keep a copy of the police report


Try to keep a journal or notes about how the crash is impacting your life. You’ll want to include your physical injuries, symptoms, mental situation, and any time missed from work or major life events like vacations, due to the injuries..

Acadia Law Group

If you’ve been in a car accident, even if it seems minor, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your legal rights. The first thing you should do is consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help guide you through the process.

At Acadia Law Group, we have a team of dedicated attorneys who will work tirelessly on your behalf to get the compensation you deserve. We understand that being in an accident can be a traumatic experience. We offer free consultation and 24/7 support to our clients. Don’t wait any longer – contact us today for a free case evaluation.

What to do After a Car Accident Checklist FAQs

What should I do if I was a passenger in a car involved in an accident?
As a passenger, you should also collect as much information as possible about the accident. This includes the drivers’ contact and insurance information, as well as details about the accident itself. You should also seek medical attention if needed.

What should I do if the other driver wants to settle the matter without involving insurance companies?

It’s generally not recommended to settle a car accident without involving insurance companies. Even if the other party or driver offers to pay for damages, there could be unseen costs or injuries that may arise later. Always report the accident to your insurance company.

Should I notify my local DMV about the accident?

Some states require you to report car accidents to the DMV, especially if there were injuries or significant damages. Check your state’s regulations or consult with a professional to understand your obligations.

What should I do if the other driver flees the scene?

If the other driver leaves the scene, it’s considered a hit and run, which is illegal. Try to remember as many details about the vehicle and driver as possible, and immediately report the incident to the police and your insurance company.

How long do I have to report an accident to my insurance company?

It’s best to report an accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours. However, each company may have its own policy regarding time limits, so it’s best to check with them directly.

What should I do if I disagree with my insurance company’s assessment of damages?

If you disagree with your insurance company’s assessment, consider getting an independent appraisal or consult with a lawyer.

In Conclusion

After any car accident, it’s important to stay calm and take some basic steps to protect yourself By following our car accident checklist, you can minimize further damage and complications. Remember, always call the police no matter what, but especially if there are injuries or fatalities involved in the car crash itself. If you have questions about what to do next, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

If you’ve been in a car accident, follow these steps to ensure that you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. First, make sure that you are safe and then call 911. Next, gather information from the other drivers involved and any witnesses. Take pictures of the scene of the accident if possible. Get to a doctor as soon as possible, after leaving the accident scene.

Finally, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help guide you through the claims process, and represent your interests in court. It’s crucial to follow a “What to do After a Car Accident Checklist” during these challenging times.

Car accidents can be stressful experiences, but adhering to this checklist, which includes checking for injuries, moving vehicles out of traffic, calling the police, exchanging information, and taking pictures will help make the aftermath a little bit easier to handle