Nobody handles a crash scene perfectly — adrenaline sees to that. This checklist exists so the important things happen anyway, in order of urgency, from the roadside through the first insurer phone call.
At the Scene
- Safety and 911 first. Injuries or blocked traffic mean police and EMS — and a police report you’ll want anyway.
- Photograph everything: vehicle positions before they move, damage, debris, skid marks, signals, weather, and any visible injuries. Thirty seconds of photos outlast every memory dispute.
- Exchange and identify: licenses, insurance, plates, and witness contacts — witnesses evaporate once traffic clears.
- Say little: no apologies, no fault theories, no “I’m fine.” Scene statements have a way of appearing in claim files verbatim.
The First Days
- Get examined even if you feel okay — adrenaline masks injuries, and neck and soft-tissue symptoms commonly surface days later. A prompt exam protects your health and closes the “gap in treatment” argument before it starts.
- Report per Pennsylvania rules — crashes with injury or disabled vehicles carry reporting duties (PennDOT covers them), and your policy requires prompt notice to your own insurer.
- Decline recorded statements to the other insurer — you’re not obligated, and their adjuster’s job starts with minimizing. Route them to counsel.
- Start the file: photos, the report number, medical records, receipts, and a symptom journal.
When to Involve a Lawyer
Injuries beyond bruises, disputed fault, a commercial or government vehicle, an early settlement offer, or any limited tort question — those are the flags. The consultation is free, and the sequence from here (claim, negotiation, suit if needed) is mapped in our posts on filing the claim and how fault gets determined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The other driver wants to ‘handle it without insurance.’ Should I?
Almost never — injuries surface late, verbal promises evaporate, and skipping required notice can jeopardize your own coverage. Get the information and let the process work.
I didn’t call police and now the other driver changed their story. Am I stuck?
No — photos, witnesses, vehicle damage patterns, and prompt medical records still build fault. It’s harder, not hopeless; start preserving now.
How soon do I need to see a doctor for the claim’s sake?
For your health’s sake: promptly. The claim inherits the benefit — days, not weeks, keeps causation clean and defeats the gap argument insurers love most.
Questions about your own crash? Call (215) 464-4600 or contact us online — free, confidential consultations, contingency-fee representation.