What To Do After A Car Accident

You Just Had A Car Accident. What Do You Do Now?

Your heart is racing. Your hands are shaking. You just had a car accident, and you’re not sure what to do next. The chaos and confusion feel overwhelming. Do you call the police? What information do you need? What should you say? What shouldn’t you say?

You’re panicked. Afraid of making mistakes that could hurt your claim or cost you compensation. One wrong move in these critical moments could mean thousands of dollars lost. The steps after a car wreck matter enormously, but most people have never dealt with this situation before.

Here’s what you need to know: one moment of confusion shouldn’t cost you your rights or your recovery. You deserve clear guidance right now about what to do after a car crash.

We’ll Walk You Through Every Single Step

The minutes after a collision determine everything. We understand the shock you’re experiencing right now. You shouldn’t have to figure out vehicle accident immediate steps while you’re shaken up and overwhelmed.

MAA has guided thousands of people through exactly what to do after a car accident. We know the critical actions that protect your rights. We understand the mistakes that cost people compensation. We’ll give you a clear action plan right now.

Get Expert Guidance Immediately

Call MAA today for help. We’ll walk you through every step of what to do after a car crash. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Expert guidance is available right now when you need it most.

The Guide – Empathy + Authority

We understand the shock and confusion you’re experiencing in the moments right after impact. Most people have never dealt with a car accident before and don’t know the critical steps after a car wreck. Insurance companies actually count on this confusion to minimize what they pay you. They know that overwhelmed accident victims make mistakes that reduce claim values.

MAA has helped thousands of people navigate exactly what to do after a car crash from the very first moment. We know the vehicle accident immediate steps that protect your rights and strengthen your claim. We understand the specific mistakes that cost people thousands in compensation. When you call MAA, you’re getting expert guidance from professionals who handle post-accident coordination every single day and know exactly what to do after a car accident.

Immediate Safety Steps – First Priority

What To Do In The First Minutes After A Car Accident

The vehicle accident’s immediate steps you take in the first moments determine everyone’s safety. Check yourself for injuries first. Then check your passengers. Look to see if anyone in the other vehicle appears hurt. Adrenaline masks pain after a collision, so injuries might not feel severe immediately, even when they are.

Call 911 if anyone is injured or if there’s significant vehicle damage. Dispatch will send police and emergency medical services. Even if you think you’re fine, emergency personnel should evaluate everyone involved. These critical steps after a car wreck protect health and create official documentation of what happened.

Move vehicles to safety if possible without leaving the accident scene. Pull to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot if cars are drivable and it’s safe to do so. Turn on your hazard lights immediately to warn other drivers. Set up warning triangles or flares if you have them in your vehicle. These actions prevent additional collisions at the accident scene.

Stay calm. Take deep breaths. You’re handling the immediate steps correctly by prioritizing safety first.

When To Call Emergency Services

Always call 911 for any injuries, no matter how minor they seem at the moment. What feels like a small bump could be a serious concussion. Neck pain that seems manageable might be significant whiplash. Emergency evaluation matters for your health and your claim documentation.

Call emergency services when vehicles are blocking traffic and creating hazards for other drivers. Call if there’s significant property damage to any vehicle involved in the car accident. Call immediately if the other driver appears impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Always call the police for hit-and-run situations where another driver leaves the scene. Call if there are disputes about what happened or who was at fault. Official police reports provide critical documentation when you need to know what to do after a car crash. These reports protect your rights when insurance companies question your version of events later.

Critical Documentation Steps

Proper documentation is one of the most important steps after a car wreck. Collect the other driver’s complete information, including their full name, phone number, home address, driver’s license number, and license plate number. Get their insurance information, including the company name, policy number, and the insurance company’s phone number. Write down vehicle details like make, model, year, color, and VIN if it’s visible through the windshield.

Look for witnesses who saw what happened. Collect their names and phone numbers. Ask them to briefly describe what they observed. Witness statements become invaluable when insurance companies dispute what to do after a car crash or who was at fault for the collision.

If police respond to the scene, get the officer’s name, badge number, and police report number. Ask when and where you can obtain a copy of the official report. Record exact location details, including the intersection, street names, nearby landmarks, and directional information. Precision matters when reconstructing how the car accident occurred.

Photos and Evidence To Capture

Photographic evidence is critical in the vehicle accident immediate steps. Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles. Capture close-ups of specific damage points and wide shots showing overall impact. Photograph the entire accident scene showing vehicle positions relative to each other. These images document exactly what happened.

Take photos of road conditions, traffic signs, traffic signals, and lane markings. Capture skid marks, debris scattered across the roadway, or property damage to guardrails and poles. Photograph any visible injuries you have, including marks, bruises, cuts, or swelling. Take pictures of all license plates involved in the collision.

Don’t forget interior damage. Photograph deployed airbags, cracked windshields, and dashboard damage inside your vehicle. Modern smartphones make documentation easy. Take more photos than you think you need. You can’t go back and capture evidence after the scene is cleared.

What NOT To Say At The Scene

Understanding what to do after a car accident includes knowing what not to do. Never admit fault or apologize for what happened. Saying “I’m sorry” feels polite, but insurance companies interpret it as an admission of liability. Don’t speculate about what happened or why. Stick to observable facts only.

Don’t discuss injuries you don’t think are serious. Adrenaline masks pain. What feels minor at the scene might be significant once shock wears off. Don’t agree to settle anything without the insurance company’s involvement. Don’t sign any documents except those required by police officers.

Never post about a car accident on social media. Insurance adjusters monitor accounts, looking for statements that contradict injury claims. Even innocent posts get misinterpreted. What you say and do at the scene matters enormously. These critical steps after a car wreck protect your legal rights and claim value for weeks and months ahead.

You’ve Handled The Scene. Now Get Expert Help.

Collected all the critical information at the accident scene? Good. Now call MAA today for help with what comes next in the steps after a car wreck.

Insurance companies have teams of adjusters working to minimize what they pay you. Don’t face them alone. We’ll guide you through exactly what to do after a car crash from this point forward.

Call MAA today for expert guidance. The vehicle accident’s immediate steps you take right now determine your recovery and compensation.

Dealing With Police and Accident Reports

When Police Arrive At The Scene

Knowing what to do after a car accident includes proper interaction with law enforcement. When police arrive, provide factual information only about what happened. Describe what you observed directly without concluding fault or cause. Say “the other vehicle crossed the center line” rather than “they weren’t paying attention.”

Stick to observable facts as part of the critical steps after a car wreck. Don’t speculate about speed, distances, or technical causes. Officers will conduct their own investigation. Request the police report number before officers leave the scene. Get the responding officer’s name and badge number for your records.

Ask where and when you can obtain a copy of the official accident report. Some departments make reports available within days. Others take weeks. Knowing the timeline helps you plan the next vehicle accident’s immediate steps for your insurance claim.

Understanding The Police Report

Police reports contain critical information about what to do after a car crash moving forward. Reports typically include driver information, witness statements, officer observations, diagrams of the accident scene, and sometimes preliminary fault determinations. This official documentation becomes crucial evidence for insurance claims.

You can obtain copies through the law enforcement agency that responded. Some jurisdictions offer online access. Others require in-person requests. Most reports become available within five to fourteen days after the car accident.

The timeline for report availability varies by jurisdiction and accident complexity. Simple collisions generate faster reports than accidents requiring extensive investigation. Check with the issuing agency about their specific processing time.

If the police report contains errors, you can usually submit corrections or addenda. Contact the issuing department about their correction procedures. Document what’s inaccurate and why. Correcting errors matters because reports significantly affect insurance claim determinations and liability assessments.

If Police Don’t Come To The Scene

Police don’t always respond to minor collisions without injuries. However, you’re still required to file your own accident report in most situations. State reporting requirements and deadlines vary, such as Missouri, but typically mandate reporting any car accident involving injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding specific dollar thresholds.

Check your state’s requirements immediately. Some states require reporting within 24 hours. Others allow several days. Missing reporting deadlines can result in license suspension or fines. Self-reporting procedures usually involve submitting forms to your state’s motor vehicle department detailing what happened, who was involved, and the damage sustained. Your documentation from the scene becomes critical for these self-reports as essential steps after a car wreck.

Seeking Medical Attention – Critical Step

Seeking medical attention immediately ranks among the most important steps after a car wreck for your health and your claim. Many collision injuries don’t show symptoms immediately after impact. Adrenaline and shock mask pain during the first hours. Whiplash, soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal injuries often take days to manifest noticeable symptoms.

Delayed treatment significantly weakens your injury claim. Insurance companies argue that gaps between the car accident and medical care prove injuries weren’t serious or came from something else entirely. They use delayed treatment to deny or reduce compensation routinely.

Some injuries worsen dramatically without prompt medical care. What starts as manageable neck stiffness can develop into chronic pain requiring extensive treatment. Early intervention often prevents complications and speeds recovery. Medical records create crucial documentation linking your injuries directly to the collision. These records become essential evidence when knowing what to do after a car crash determines your compensation.

Where To Seek Treatment

Visit an emergency room immediately for serious injuries, including head trauma, chest pain, severe bleeding, broken bones, or loss of consciousness. ER visits create critical documentation for severe collision injuries.

Urgent care facilities handle moderate injuries like lacerations, sprains, and moderate pain that needs same-day evaluation. Urgent care provides faster access than emergency rooms for injuries that aren’t life-threatening but require prompt attention.

Your primary care physician can provide an initial evaluation if you can get an appointment quickly after the car accident. Primary care doctors who know your medical history can assess new injuries and provide specialist referrals.

Specialist referrals for specific injuries become necessary as your condition gets fully evaluated. Orthopedists, neurologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists treat different collision injury types. MAA connects you with appropriate medical providers who understand accident injuries and accept treatment on a lien basis. We coordinate appointments as part of the essential vehicle accident immediate steps.

Documenting Your Injuries

Describe all pain and symptoms to doctors completely and honestly. Tell them about every area that hurts, even if the pain seems minor. Don’t minimize injuries or try to tough it out. Medical providers need complete information to document the full extent of collision trauma properly.

Follow all treatment recommendations your doctors provide. Attend every appointment. Complete prescribed physical therapy. Take medications as directed. Insurance companies review treatment compliance closely. Skipping appointments or ignoring medical advice suggests injuries aren’t serious.

Keep copies of all medical records and receipts from every provider you see after the car accident. Save prescription receipts, therapy invoices, and diagnostic test results. This documentation proves treatment costs when calculating compensation. Photograph visible injuries like bruises, cuts, and swelling regularly. Take photos every few days showing how injuries progress and heal over time.

What If You Can’t Afford Treatment

Cost concerns should never delay necessary medical care as part of the critical steps after a car wreck. Treatment on a lien means no upfront costs for medical care. Doctors agree to wait for payment until your injury claim settles. Letters of protection formalize these arrangements between your attorney and medical providers.

Your insurance coverage options might include medical payments coverage or personal injury protection that pays for immediate treatment regardless of fault. These coverages provide quick access to care while larger liability claims are being resolved.

Delaying treatment because of cost concerns actually costs you more in the long run. Injuries worsen. Treatment becomes more extensive. Claim values decrease because insurance companies question injury severity when treatment was delayed. MAA helps arrange no-cost treatment with providers who understand what to do after a car crash. We coordinate medical care so financial barriers don’t prevent you from getting the treatment you need and deserve.

Notifying Your Insurance Company

Notifying your insurance company ranks among the critical steps after a car wreck required by your policy. Most policies mandate reporting accidents within 24 to 72 hours, regardless of fault. Check your specific policy for exact timeline requirements. Failure to report promptly can result in claim denial.

Provide basic factual information when you call, including the date, time, and location of the car accident. Describe what happened without speculating about fault or cause. Give them the other driver’s information and police report number if available. Know what to avoid saying during this initial contact. Don’t admit fault. Don’t provide detailed statements about your injuries before you’ve seen a doctor. Don’t agree to recorded statements without understanding your rights.

Insurance companies often request recorded statements as part of what to do after a car crash. You’re usually required to state your own insurer. However, you’re not obligated to provide detailed recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance without legal representation. Consider consulting an attorney before giving any recorded statement.

Understanding Your Coverage

Review your insurance policy to understand what coverage applies after the car accident. Liability coverage pays for damages you cause to others but doesn’t cover your own injuries or vehicle damage. Collision coverage pays for your vehicle repairs regardless of who was at fault for the collision.

Medical payments coverage or personal injury protection provides immediate payment for medical treatment after a vehicle accident immediate steps require medical care. These coverages apply regardless of fault and provide quick access to treatment. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage protects you when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages.

Rental reimbursement coverage pays for temporary transportation while your vehicle gets repaired. Understanding which coverages you have helps you know what benefits you can access immediately after the collision.

Dealing With The Other Driver’s Insurance

The other driver’s insurance company will likely contact you within days of the car accident seeking a statement and information. They’ll ask for your version of what happened. They’ll request medical authorizations. They’ll want you to provide recorded statements and sign releases.

Be extremely cautious when dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Remember, they’re working to minimize what they pay you, not to help you. They’re not on your side despite friendly tones. Consider recording conversations if your state allows single-party consent recording. Better yet, involve an attorney before providing detailed statements about what to do after a car crash to their insurance representatives.

Common Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance adjusters use predictable tactics to reduce claim values. Quick settlement offers within days of the collision are almost always lowball amounts. They hope you’ll accept before understanding the full extent of your injuries and damages. These early offers rarely reflect fair compensation for serious steps after a car wreck injury.

Adjusters request unnecessary medical authorizations that grant access to your entire medical history. They search for pre-existing conditions to blame for your current pain. They use delaying tactics, hoping you’ll give up or accept less out of financial desperation.

Insurance companies dispute liability even when fault seems clear. They minimize injury severity by questioning treatment necessity. They argue you’re exaggerating pain or that injuries aren’t collision-related. MAA helps you avoid these traps by coordinating expert legal representation that handles all insurance communication. We connect you with attorneys who know exactly what to do after a car accident when insurance companies use these tactics to reduce what you deserve.

Don’t Navigate This Alone

Insurance companies have entire teams of adjusters, investigators, and attorneys working to minimize what they pay you after a car accident. You deserve expert guidance, too.

Call MAA today for help coordinating everything. We guide you through the critical steps after a car wreck. We connect you with medical providers and experienced attorneys who know exactly what to do after a car crash.

We protect your rights at every step of the vehicle accident immediate steps, and throughout your entire recovery process.

Protecting Your Legal Rights

Statute of Limitations

Understanding time limits is one of the critical steps after a car wreck that many people overlook. Every state sets specific deadlines called statutes of limitations for filing injury and property damage claims. These time limits typically range from one to six years, depending on your state and claim type. Missing these deadlines means losing your right to compensation permanently.

Acting quickly matters even when deadlines seem far away. Evidence disappears over time. Witnesses forget details or move away. Vehicle damage gets repaired, eliminating physical proof. Medical records become harder to obtain. The sooner you begin the process of what to do after a car crash, the stronger your case becomes.

What happens if you miss filing deadlines is straightforward and harsh. Courts dismiss cases filed after the statute of limitations expires. You lose all rights to compensation regardless of how valid your claim was. Insurance companies won’t negotiate once deadlines pass because they have no obligation to pay.

Exceptions to standard timelines exist in specific situations. Minors injured in collisions often have extended deadlines. Cases involving government entities typically have much shorter notice requirements. Discovery of injuries that weren’t apparent immediately after the car accident can extend timelines in some jurisdictions. Understanding these exceptions requires legal expertise as part of vehicle accident immediate steps.

When You Need An Attorney

Serious injuries or permanent disability from a car accident demand legal representation. These cases involve substantial compensation calculations, including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and long-term care needs. Attorneys ensure you seek full value, not just immediate expenses.

Disputed liability situations require legal expertise when insurance companies argue about fault determination. Multiple parties involved in the collision complicate claims significantly. Commercial vehicles or government entities have special procedures and shorter deadlines. You need attorneys who understand these complexities as part of what to do after a car crash.

When insurance companies deny claims outright, legal representation becomes essential. When settlement offers seem unfair compared to your injuries and damages, attorneys can evaluate whether you’re being lowballed. Don’t accept inadequate settlements without legal consultation.

How MAA Connects You With Attorneys

MAA coordinates connections with experienced personal injury lawyers who handle collision cases daily. These attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning no upfront costs to you. They get paid only when you receive compensation. You don’t pay anything out of pocket for legal representation.

We connect you with attorneys who specifically handle your case type, whether that’s standard collision claims, commercial vehicle accidents, or complex multi-party situations. All attorneys we refer to offer free consultations to evaluate your case. We screen and vet our legal partners carefully based on experience, track record, and client satisfaction as part of a comprehensive steps after a car wreck coordination.

What An Attorney Does For You

Attorneys investigate the car accident thoroughly beyond what the police reports contain. They gather additional evidence, interview witnesses, consult accident reconstruction experts, and build comprehensive case documentation. They handle all insurance communication, so you never face adjusters alone trying to figure out what to do after a car crash.

Attorneys calculate full compensation value, including medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and property damage. They know what cases are worth based on similar outcomes. They negotiate settlements from positions of strength backed by complete evidence. They file lawsuits if necessary when insurance companies won’t offer fair settlements. They represent you through trial if your case goes to court. Legal representation transforms vehicle accident immediate steps into comprehensive claim management that maximizes your recovery.

Vehicle Repair and Total Loss Process

Vehicle damage assessment is one of the practical steps after a car wreck that determines repair costs and compensation. An insurance adjuster inspection typically happens within days of reporting the collision. The adjuster evaluates damage, takes photos, and creates repair estimates. Their assessment drives what insurance pays for repairs.

Independent appraisal options exist when you disagree with insurance estimates. You can hire your own appraiser to evaluate damage and provide competing estimates. The repair estimate process involves body shops identifying all damage, including hidden structural issues not visible initially.

Choosing a repair shop is your right, even if insurance recommends specific facilities. Select shops based on reputation, warranty coverage, and quality rather than just insurance preferences. MAA coordinates repairs with quality body shops as part of what to do after a car crash. We manage communication between repair facilities and insurance companies throughout the entire repair process.

If Your Car Is Totaled

Total loss determination happens when repair costs exceed the vehicle’s actual cash value. Insurance companies calculate what your car was worth immediately before the car accident using market data for similar vehicles. This becomes the maximum they’ll pay for total loss claims.

Negotiating the settlement often becomes necessary when initial offers seem low. You can provide evidence of your vehicle’s value through recent sales data for comparable cars. Diminished value claims seek compensation for value loss even after proper repairs. Collision history reduces resale value permanently, even when repairs are perfect.

Gap insurance considerations matter when you owe more on your car loan than the vehicle’s actual cash value. Gap coverage pays the difference, so you’re not stuck paying for a totaled car. MAA’s vehicle replacement helps you navigate settlement negotiations, understand valuation methods, and pursue maximum compensation as critical vehicle accident immediate steps.

Rental Car During Repairs

Coverage for temporary transportation during repairs is typically part of rental reimbursement coverage or the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. How long rental coverage lasts depends on your policy limits and actual repair duration. Most policies cover 30 days, but some are shorter or longer.

Coordinating rental timing with repair timelines ensures you have transportation throughout the process. MAA handles rental assistance coordination as part of the comprehensive steps after a car wreck. We verify coverage, arrange rental vehicles, and coordinate return timing when your car is ready. You maintain reliable transportation while knowing exactly what to do after a car crash for vehicle replacement.

What NOT To Do After An Accident

Understanding what not to do after a car accident protects your rights as much as knowing the correct steps after a car wreck. Avoid these common mistakes that cost people thousands in compensation.

Don’t Give Recorded Statements Without Legal Advice

Insurance companies use recorded statements against you to minimize claim values. You might admit fault unintentionally through innocent comments about what happened. Statements can’t be taken back once recorded. What you say gets used later to dispute your version of events. Consult an attorney before providing detailed recorded statements as part of what to do after a car crash protection strategies.

Don’t Accept Quick Settlement Offers

Initial settlement offers within days of the collision are usually very low. You can’t know the full extent of your injuries immediately after a car accident. Symptoms develop over days and weeks. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you can’t ask for more money later, regardless of how severe the injuries become. Fair settlements should cover all damages, including future treatment costs.

Don’t Post On Social Media

Insurance companies actively monitor social media accounts, looking for evidence to dispute claims. Photos showing you smiling or engaging in activities can contradict injury severity claims. Checking in at locations demonstrates activity levels that adjusters use against you. Even innocent posts get misinterpreted as evidence that you’re not really hurt. Privacy settings don’t protect you because insurance companies have sophisticated investigation tools, as vehicle accident immediate steps include claim monitoring.

Don’t Delay Medical Treatment

Treatment delays create gaps that insurance companies exploit to argue injuries aren’t collision-related. Delayed care allows injuries to worsen unnecessarily. Gaps between the car accident and treatment suggest injuries aren’t serious. Prompt medical evaluation strengthens documentation linking your injuries directly to the collision.

Don’t Sign Medical Authorizations From Insurance

Broad medical authorizations give insurance companies access to your entire medical history, not just accident-related records. They search for pre-existing conditions to blame for current pain. These overly broad authorizations should be reviewed by your attorney before signing. Protect your privacy as part of the critical steps after a car wreck.

Don’t Repair Your Car Before Documentation

Insurance adjusters need to inspect damage before repairs begin. Photos alone might not be sufficient documentation for claim processing. Repairing your vehicle before a proper inspection could forfeit your claim for vehicle damage compensation. Get approval before authorizing any repairs as part of what to do after a car crash.

Don’t Ignore Treatment Recommendations

Stopping treatment early signals to insurance companies that you weren’t seriously hurt. Missing appointments create gaps in medical records that adjusters exploit. Refusing recommended care suggests injuries aren’t serious enough to warrant treatment. Follow through with all treatment recommendations completely for maximum recovery and claim strength.

Success – What Happens When You Follow These Steps

This Is How Recovery Should Work

You check everyone for injuries immediately after the car accident. You call 911, and the police arrive to document everything. You collect all necessary information at the scene from the other driver and witnesses. You take comprehensive photos of all damage and the accident scene. You don’t admit fault or speculate about what happened. You handled the critical vehicle accident’s immediate steps perfectly.

You call MAA that same day. We connect you with a doctor who evaluates your injuries within 24 hours. Your treatment begins immediately with no upfront costs through lien arrangements. We coordinate with an experienced attorney who starts building your case right away. You know exactly what to do after a car crash because experts guide you through every step.

Your car gets properly assessed by insurance adjusters. We arrange rental car assistance so you maintain reliable transportation throughout repairs. Your attorney handles all insurance company communication, so you never face adjusters alone. You focus on physical healing while experts handle the complex legal and medical coordination parts.

Your medical treatment gets fully documented from day one. No gaps. No delays. Your attorney negotiates from a position of strength backed by complete evidence. The insurance company takes your claim seriously because everything was handled correctly from the very beginning. You receive fair compensation that covers all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

That’s exactly what happens when you know the proper steps after a car wreck and have MAA coordinating your entire recovery. One call connects you with everything you need.

Consequences of Mistakes After A Car Accident

Without knowing what to do after a car accident, victims make critical errors that destroy claim value. They don’t call the police because the damage seems minor at the scene. They fail to collect witness information. They don’t take enough photos of the collision scene and vehicle damage. Weeks later, when serious injuries appear, they have no documentation proving the car accident caused their pain. Insurance companies deny claims because evidence doesn’t exist.

Some people admit fault at the scene, trying to be polite and helpful. They say “I’m so sorry” or “I didn’t see you” while exchanging information. Insurance companies use these innocent statements to deny claims entirely. What felt like basic courtesy costs thousands in lost compensation because apologies get interpreted as fault admissions in the critical steps after a car wreck.

Many victims don’t seek medical attention immediately after the collision. They feel okay at the scene due to adrenaline masking pain and shock, delaying symptom onset. Days later, severe neck pain and debilitating headaches appear. Insurance companies argue the injuries came from something else entirely, not the car accident. Treatment gaps become powerful ammunition adjusters use to minimize settlements or deny claims completely.

Others give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without understanding the implications or knowing what to do after a car crash properly. They describe injuries as “not that bad” because they don’t want to complain or seem dramatic. They mention pre-existing conditions that have nothing to do with the current collision. Adjusters use every single word from these statements to reduce claim value systematically.

Some people accept quick settlement offers within days of the car accident before injuries fully manifest. They receive checks for a few thousand dollars and sign full releases. Weeks later, they discover serious injuries requiring surgery and months of treatment. The settlement they accepted was final and binding. They can’t go back for more money no matter how severe the injuries become or how expensive the treatment gets.

Many victims handle everything alone after a vehicle accident immediate steps because they don’t realize expert help is available at no upfront cost. They navigate complex insurance procedures without guidance. They miss critical filing deadlines. They fail to document damages properly. They settle for far less than their claims are actually worth because they don’t understand the full compensation value.

How MAA Prevents These Costly Mistakes

When you call MAA immediately after a car accident, we walk you through exactly what to do step by step. We explain what information to collect at the scene. We tell you what to say and what not to say to insurance adjusters. We connect you with medical care before treatment gaps develop that weaken your claim.

We coordinate with experienced attorneys who handle all insurance communication on your behalf. You never face adjusters alone, trying to figure out the proper steps after a car wreck. We ensure every single step gets handled correctly from the very beginning. We protect your legal rights while you focus on physical recovery and healing.

We’ve guided thousands of people through what to do after a car crash. We know exactly what mistakes cost people compensation. We make sure you avoid every single one of them.

Timeline: Critical Actions After A Car Accident

First 24 Hours After The Accident

The vehicle accident’s immediate steps you take on the first day determine everything that follows. Ensure safety and call 911 if anyone is injured or significant damage occurs. Document everything at the accident scene with photos and detailed notes. Exchange complete information with all parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses.

Notify your insurance company within the timeline required by your policy, typically 24 hours. Call MAA today for coordination help navigating what to do after a car crash. We’ll guide you through every critical step. Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine because adrenaline masks injury symptoms. Don’t post anything on social media about the car accident, as insurance companies monitor accounts.

First Week After The Accident

Follow up with medical treatment and attend all scheduled appointments. Obtain the police report when available from the law enforcement agency that responded. Keep detailed notes about pain, symptoms, and how injuries affect your daily activities. Save all receipts and documentation from medical visits, prescriptions, and other collision-related expenses.

Consult with an attorney MAA refers to, who specializes in collision injury cases. Begin rental car assistance coordination if your vehicle is undrivable. Start the vehicle damage assessment process with insurance adjusters. Keep a daily journal documenting injury impact on work, sleep, activities, and quality of life. These records become crucial evidence in the steps after a car wreck.

First Month After The Accident

Attend all medical appointments without missing any scheduled visits. Follow all treatment recommendations from your healthcare providers completely. Continue documenting injury progression with photos, notes, and symptom tracking. Coordinate auto care/vehicle repairs or total loss settlement process through proper channels.

Let your attorney handle all insurance negotiations and communications. Don’t accept any settlement offers yet before understanding the full extent and the compensation value. Maintain regular communication with MAA’s coordination team throughout the entire process. Focus on physical recovery and healing, not insurance hassles. We handle the complex coordination, so you know exactly what to do after a car accident at every stage of recovery.

FAQ – What To Do After A Car Accident