The minutes and hours after a crash are chaotic. Adrenaline is running, everyone is shaken, and the other driver's insurer may be calling before you've even seen a doctor. What you do in that window has an outsized effect on what you recover later.
Check for injuries and call 911
Make sure you and your passengers are okay. If anyone is hurt, get help immediately. Arizona law requires reporting accidents involving injury or significant property damage (A.R.S. § 28-667) — a police report creates an official third-party record of the crash that matters later. Ask the responding officer how to get a copy.
Move to safety if you can
If your vehicle is drivable and you're in a dangerous spot — a live lane, a blind curve — move to the shoulder or a nearby lot. If it isn't safe to move, turn on your hazard lights and wait for help.
Document the scene
Your phone is one of the most useful tools you have right now. Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, the damage to each, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and the other vehicle's plate. Get the other driver's name, contact details, license number, and insurance information. If bystanders saw the crash, ask for their names and numbers before they leave.
Don't apologize or discuss fault
Stay calm and civil, but don't apologize, even casually. "I'm so sorry" can be treated as an admission of fault later. Fault is a legal determination — not something to sort out at the scene.
Get medical attention the same day
Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries often don't show symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after a crash. Seeing a doctor the same day protects your health and creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident. A gap in treatment — even a short one — is one of the first things an adjuster uses to argue your injuries weren't serious.
Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer
The other driver's insurer may call within days, sounding cooperative and eager to help. They're not. Their job is to resolve your claim for as little as possible. You're not required to give them a recorded statement, and doing so before you understand the full extent of your injuries is almost always a mistake.
Track every loss from day one
Keep records of every medical bill, pharmacy receipt, missed work day, and out-of-pocket expense tied to the crash. Photograph your injuries as they evolve. Keep a running note on how you feel each day and how the injuries affect your daily life — pain levels, sleep, activities you can't do. This documentation becomes your damages record.
Talk to an attorney before accepting anything
First offers from insurers are almost never fair — they're made before you know the full cost of your injuries. Once you sign a release, you can't go back. A free consultation costs nothing and gives you a realistic picture of what your claim is actually worth.
Our car accident attorneys handle claims throughout the Phoenix metro on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.