What to Do After a Car Accident

If you have just been in a crash, the best car accident lawyer in Arizona recommends the same sequence every time: check for injuries, call 911, document everything you can, and get to a hospital. The steps to take after a car accident in Arizona to protect your injury claim begin at the scene, but they do not end there. How you handle the hours and days that follow can have just as much impact on the outcome of your case as what you do in the first moments after impact.

This guide walks through each stage in order, from the immediate aftermath to the follow-up actions that insurance companies are counting on you to skip. Following these steps gives you the best possible foundation for a fair recovery.

Moments After Impact

After the accident, examine yourself and ensure you’re alright. Look around the car. Is anyone else injured? If you can get out of your car, see if anyone is injured in the other vehicles and needs help. Now, it’s time to take action. 

Either call 911 yourself or direct others to do so. Once this has been done, pull out your phone and begin recording a video of the scene. Try to get all angles and use smooth movements. If any bystanders are nearby, continue recording and ask them if they saw anything. These witness statements can be crucial to a case. Take photos of the accident from many angles, as well. 

You should also take photos of any injuries. These can help doctors provide care and can stand as evidence in a potential injury settlement. 

Take a photo of any other drivers’ licenses and insurance information, and get their phone numbers. Ask any witnesses to stick around until the police arrive. If they wish to leave, get their contact information for later. 

When the Police and Ambulances Arrive

It’s important to allow police to clear the scene of the accident and stay out of their way. Let medical personnel do their work and do not interrupt them. Once the scene is secured, an officer will begin taking statements. 

If asked, introduce yourself as one of the people involved in the accident. Avoid saying anything that could be seen as admitting fault. Use general phrases like, “Our cars hit each other” rather than phrases like, “I ran into their car.” If you believe the other driver was at fault, say so. 

Keep calm during your interaction with the police. Despite the intense emotions you may be feeling, remain polite and answer questions respectfully. If you need a few minutes, tell the officer you need to catch your breath, then speak to them once you’re calm. 

Emergency responders like firefighters and EMTs may ask about your condition. Even if you feel okay, you should still visit the hospital. Get a thorough examination at the hospital, including x-rays and any other tests the doctor thinks are appropriate. 

One of the most common mistakes accident victims make is not visiting the hospital. Days, weeks, or months later, pains and problems can begin; tying these injuries to the accident so long after the fact is difficult, but if you have an x-ray from the day of the accident, the connection can be much easier to prove.

The upfront cost of a hospital visit is nothing compared to how much you can get in a car accident settlement, so don’t hesitate to go right away. 

In the Days After the Accident

The scene has been cleared, you have been to the hospital, and the adrenaline has worn off. What happens next matters more than most accident victims realize.

Start a written record of how you are feeling. Note your symptoms each day: pain levels, sleep disruption, difficulty with everyday tasks, any emotional effects like anxiety or trouble concentrating. This kind of ongoing documentation can be powerful evidence when calculating pain and suffering, and it creates a timeline that is difficult for an insurer to dispute. Do not rely on memory alone; write it down.

Continue every medical appointment your doctor recommends, even when you start feeling better. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common arguments insurance adjusters use to reduce a settlement, suggesting that your injuries were not serious enough to require consistent care. Attend every follow-up, fill every prescription, and follow your treatment plan as directed.

Keep all paperwork in one place. Bills, medical records, repair estimates, correspondence from insurance companies, and any notes from your doctors should be saved and organized from day one. These documents form the backbone of your claim.

One of the most important rules in the days after an accident: do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before you have spoken to an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can minimize your injuries or shift partial fault onto you. 

A statement made before you understand the full extent of your injuries or have legal guidance can be used against you in negotiations. You are not obligated to provide one on their timeline.

Contact An Attorney

Many people contact their insurance companies immediately after an accident–this can be a mistake. Your first call should be to a qualified car accident attorney. They can advise you regarding the steps to take with the insurance company, and in some cases, they may handle all the insurance communications for you. 

Remember, a personal injury attorney consultation is free; they will only take your case if they believe they can win. With nothing to lose, a call to an attorney can only help your case. As expenses are calculated and the picture becomes clearer, an attorney can estimate how much settlement money for the car accident they can request.

At Gage Mathers, we’ve recovered more than $275 million for our clients. With more than fifty years of experience, we understand the insurance settlement industry better than anyone. Each client of ours is treated like family–let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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