What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident
California Personal Injury Guide · June 2026
What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident
The decisions you make in the first 24 hours can define the outcome of your entire case.
Most people have never been in a serious car accident before it happens to them. In the immediate aftermath, adrenaline, shock, and confusion make it genuinely difficult to think clearly. Insurance adjusters know this. The decisions made in the first 24 hours often determine what your case is worth.
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1
Check for Injuries First
Check yourself and any passengers before doing anything else. Do not move someone who may have a spinal or neck injury unless there is immediate danger. Call 911 even if injuries seem minor.
Soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries frequently do not present with obvious symptoms at the scene. The adrenaline response masks pain.
At the scene: Tell the responding officer you are unsure whether you are injured and that you intend to seek medical evaluation. Saying you "feel fine" becomes evidence against you. -
2
Call the Police
Always call the police, even for accidents that seem minor. A police report creates an official, timestamped record of the incident, the parties involved, the vehicles, the location, and often an initial fault determination.
When the officer arrives, give a factual account only. Do not speculate, do not apologize, and do not admit fault. Saying "I'm sorry" at the scene has been used by insurers to argue comparative fault.
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3
Document Everything at the Scene
If you are physically able, gather documentation before anyone leaves:
Photograph all vehicle damage from multiple angles. Photograph the full scene including road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and debris. Photograph any visible injuries. Collect the other driver's full name, license plate, driver's license number, insurance company, and policy number. Get contact information from witnesses. Note the officer's name, badge number, and how to obtain the report.
The more you document now, the harder it is for the other side to reframe the narrative later. -
4
Seek Medical Attention the Same Day
Even if you feel okay, see a doctor the day of the accident or the following morning at the latest. Concussions, internal soft tissue damage, and spinal injuries can take 24 to 72 hours to become fully symptomatic.
The gap between your accident and your first medical visit is one of the first things an insurance adjuster will scrutinize. A three-day gap becomes "proof" that you weren't really hurt. A same-day visit closes that argument before it opens.
Keep every medical record, receipt, and bill related to your treatment. These form the backbone of your damages claim. -
5
Do Not Talk to the Other Driver's Insurance Company
The other driver's insurer will likely contact you within 24 to 48 hours. They will be friendly and express concern. They will ask to record a brief statement. Do not agree.
Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to elicit answers that minimize your claim. Phrases like "mostly okay" or "low-speed collision" can be excerpted and used against you. Once a recorded statement is made, it is very difficult to walk back.
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6
Contact an Attorney Before Accepting Anything
Insurance companies move quickly toward settlement because early settlements are almost always lower than what the case is actually worth. They want to close your file before you understand the full extent of your injuries or the long-term costs you may be entitled to recover.
At Solum Space Law, you speak directly with attorney Matt Kohanbash, a former Big Law counsel, not a paralegal or intake specialist. We handle all personal injury cases on a pure contingency fee basis: nothing upfront, nothing owed unless we recover for you.
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7
Keep a Recovery Journal
Starting the day after your accident, keep a daily log of how you feel physically, what activities you cannot do, appointments you are missing, and how the injury is affecting your daily life.
Pain and suffering damages are by nature subjective. A consistent, detailed journal creates a concrete record of the real-world impact of your injuries, and it is more valuable at trial than most people realize.
Ready to Talk?
If you were recently in a car accident, do not wait. Evidence disappears, deadlines approach, and the insurance company is already working its angle.
Solum Space Law APC · Attorney Advertising. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this post. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter.