The moments after a crash are disorienting, but the first 48 hours are when the most important evidence exists — and when insurance companies move fastest. Your health comes first: get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine, because adrenaline masks injuries, and a same-day medical record is also the single strongest piece of documentation your claim will ever have.
At the scene, if you are able: photograph everything — vehicles, plates, the roadway, traffic signals, your visible injuries. Get names and phone numbers for every witness. Call the police and make sure a report is filed; the report number alone saves weeks later.
What NOT to do matters just as much. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, do not accept a quick settlement offer, and do not sign anything — these early offers are calculated to close your claim before the full extent of your injuries is known.
Finally, call a personal injury attorney as soon as you are able. The consultation is free, and the earlier we start preserving evidence and handling the insurers, the stronger your position. Our lines are always open: 631-201-8200.
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