Your First Steps After a Car Accident

Every minute, roughly 13 car accidents happen across the country. If you’ve never been in one, you’re beating the odds. 

Whether you just had your first accident or you’ve been in your fair share of fender benders, that rattling feeling immediately after the collision never fades. It’s normal to feel shaken immediately after an accident. In fact, you might struggle to figure out what to do next. 

We want to help. With a specialty in treating people after car accidents, Patrick S Hill, MD, has expertise in navigating life after a vehicular collision. So, our team built this guide to walk you through the following steps. 

And if you got hurt in your accident, make an appointment with Dr. Hill at our office in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California. The faster you get care, the easier it is to treat the issue, which can save you from long-term pain. 

Now, let’s discuss what you should do immediately after an accident. 

On the scene

Don’t leave the scene. Instead, stay put — but make sure you and your vehicle are safely out of the flow of traffic. Put your hazard lights on, too. 

Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else affected for injuries. You may be in a state of shock, so go slowly. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911. 

If no one needs immediate medical care, grab your phone. If someone has an injury (even a seemingly minor one) or significant damage to any vehicle or other property, call the police. Having a police report can make your insurance claims process easier. 

Also, use your phone to take pictures of the insurance cards of any other involved drivers. Get their phone numbers, too. 

Before you put that phone away, take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any injuries and any damage to your vehicle. Again, this helps with your insurance claim. 

Immediately afterward

You can call your insurance provider while you’re still on the side of the road. If not, give them a ring as soon as you get home and feel settled. They can talk you through filing your insurance claim to get repairs and injuries paid for. 

Now that you’ve had some time to settle, check in with yourself again. Is your neck stiff? How about your back? Do you have any nicks or scrapes you didn’t notice at the moment? As the shock from the accident eases, you should be able to get a more accurate idea of how you’re feeling — and if you sustained injuries.

If you did and they’re not severe, you can monitor them at home for a couple of days. But if your discomfort doesn’t improve with some rest, don’t wait to make an appointment with Dr. Hill. Starting treatment immediately makes a significant difference. 

For care after a car accident, call our office or schedule your appointment with Dr. Hill online today.