If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident, take these steps immediately: 

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• Get the ID and contact information for all owners, drivers, passengers, and witnesses.

• Get the plate numbers, registration, and insurance information for all vehicles.

• If you are physically capable, take pictures of the accident scene, showing all cars involved, including the point of impact on every vehicle involved and street signs or other geographical features that will identify the location of the accident. 

• Do not post any pictures of the accident on social media. 

• Call the police and request that an officer is sent to the scene. If you have been seriously injured, tell the police dispatcher that you need an ambulance.

• Make a report to the responding officer, providing only basic information about the accident. After several days, you should obtain a copy of the accident report from the law enforcement agency that wrote it.

• Do not apologize. While you simply mean to be polite, this could be wrongly construed as admitting you were at fault.

• Do not comment about how you feel physically unless you are clearly badly injured and need someone to call an ambulance.

• Get medical attention without delay. You should still be seen in an Emergency Room or physician’s office.

• Do not allow any insurance adjuster to record a statement from you. The adjuster’s job is to minimize the company’s payout, not to help you get your claim paid.

• Do not sign any authorization, release, or anything else for any other car’s insurance company.