The short answer
- Health first, then evidence. Get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine, and keep photos, the police report number and the other driver's details.
- Tell your insurer, carefully. Report the crash, but think before giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
- Deadlines depend on your state. Each state sets its own clocks for reports and claims. Your state's page lists each one with its statute.
Answer a few questions for your next steps and your state's deadlines. It's free.
Get a free case assessmentWhere are you now?
- Start the checklist
It just happened
A step-by-step checklist that works with one hand. Nothing to sign up for, and nothing is sent anywhere.
- What to do this week
The first few days
Seeing a doctor, getting the police report and telling your insurer, in the order it matters.
- Talking to insurers
The insurer called
What to say, what not to say, and whether to give a recorded statement.
- Do I need a lawyer?
Do I need a lawyer?
An honest answer either way, including when you probably don't need one.
- Your state's deadlines
Deadlines and your claim
Your state sets the clocks for reports and claims. Each one is listed with its statute.
Guides
Your state
Deadlines and rules differ by state. Each state page gives the statute behind each one and the date we last checked it.
Data
Common questions
What should I do first after a car accident?
Check for injuries and call for help if anyone is hurt, make the scene safe, and exchange details with the other driver. Then see a doctor, even if you feel fine, and keep a record of everything. Our step-by-step guide covers the first hour, the first week and the first month.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Each state sets its own deadline for an injury lawsuit, and some clocks are much shorter, such as the notice period for a claim against a government vehicle. Your state's page lists each deadline with its statute and the date we last checked it.
Do I have to talk to the other driver's insurance company?
You usually have to report the crash to your own insurer under your policy. Talking to the other driver's insurer is a different matter, and many people choose to say little until they understand their injuries. Our guide on what not to say to an adjuster explains why.
What if I was partly at fault?
Most states still let you recover something if you were partly to blame, but the rules differ. Some reduce what you can recover by your share of fault, and a few bar recovery altogether.
What is a no-fault state?
In a no-fault state you claim your own medical costs through your own insurance first, whoever caused the crash, and your right to sue the other driver is limited. Our guide to no-fault states lists them and explains the exceptions.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not always. Many minor crashes with no injury are settled directly with the insurer. People more often talk to a lawyer when injuries are serious, fault is disputed or an insurer denies the claim. Our guide sets out both sides honestly.