What To Do After a Car Accident
October 28, 2026
Car crashes are far more common than most people think. In 2023, U.S. police reported 6,138,359 traffic crashes, in which 40,901 people were killed and an estimated 2,442,581 people were injured (NHTSA, 2025). What you do in the hours and days after a crash can make a big difference for your health and for any claim you file.
How common are injury crashes?
Most police-reported crashes cause only property damage, but more than a quarter of them injure someone.
Police-reported crashes by severity, 2023
Source: NHTSA, Summary of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes: 2023 Data (DOT HS 813 762), Table 1.
Over the last five years with complete data, more than 2.2 million people were injured in traffic crashes every year:
| Year | People killed | People injured |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 36,355 | 2,740,141 |
| 2020 | 39,007 | 2,282,209 |
| 2021 | 43,230 | 2,497,869 |
| 2022 | 42,721 | 2,382,833 |
| 2023 | 40,901 | 2,442,581 |
Source: NHTSA, DOT HS 813 762, Table 2.
The financial impact is also large: NHTSA estimates that motor vehicle crashes cost $340 billion in 2019 alone, including medical care, lost productivity, and property damage (NHTSA, DOT HS 813 403).
Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe
Stay calm and assess the scene. Do not get out of your car if it is not safe to do so. Call the police and tell them about any injuries (NAIC). If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away.
Step 2: Get a medical evaluation, even if you feel fine
Some of the most common crash injuries do not hurt right away. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that with a neck sprain or strain, such as whiplash, “you may not start to experience symptoms until hours after the injury, or even the next day,” and recommends seeing a doctor for an evaluation “even if you feel fine” (AAOS OrthoInfo).
Symptoms to watch for after a crash, according to the AAOS:
- Neck pain that worsens with movement, or that peaks a day or so after the injury
- Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Headache in the back of the head
- Muscle spasms and pain in the upper shoulder
- Numbness in the arm or hand, or tingling or weakness in the arms
- Irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or difficulty concentrating
Getting checked early also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident.
Step 3: Report the accident
If the police do not come to the scene, file an incident report (NAIC). Some states also require a separate report to the state. In California, for example, you or your representative must send an SR-1 report to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured (no matter how minor) or killed, or if property damage is over $1,000 (California DMV). Check the rules in your state.
Step 4: Exchange information and document the scene
Be courteous, but do not admit fault (NAIC). Use this checklist:
| What to collect | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Other driver’s name and insurance information | Needed to file a claim against the at-fault driver |
| Photos of the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries | Evidence of how the crash happened and how severe it was |
| Witness names and phone numbers | Independent accounts of what happened |
| Time, date, location, weather, and road conditions | Context for the police report and your claim |
| Police report number and officer names | You will need the report for your insurance claim |
The NAIC notes that in most cases you only need to give your name and insurance information, and warns that sharing more, such as your address or driver’s license number, could put you at risk for identity fraud (NAIC).
Step 5: Notify your insurer and keep records
Call your insurance professional as soon as possible, regardless of who is at fault. Keep thorough and organized records of everything related to the claim, including the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak with and copies of any bills related to the accident (Triple-I).
Step 6: Talk to a personal injury attorney
Before you accept any offer from an insurance company, talk to a personal injury attorney about your options. If you need medical treatment but cannot pay for it up front, ask about lien-based care. You can learn more in our article What Is a Medical Lien?.
Healthcare PI works with physicians and attorneys so that accident victims can get the care they need while their case moves forward. Contact us to learn more.
This article is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Laws vary by state. If you are hurt, seek medical care right away.
Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Summary of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes: 2023 Data (DOT HS 813 762). October 2025.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2019 (Revised) (DOT HS 813 403).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo. Neck Sprain.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Don’t Be a Crash Dummy.
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1).
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). How to file an auto insurance claim.