Someone just crashed into me. What do I do? Start with safety and medical needs, then gather information if you can do so safely. You do not have to settle fault, negotiate payment, or diagnose an injury at the roadside. A calm, factual record is more useful than an argument about who caused the collision.
A crash can leave you shaken even when the cars look repairable. This California checklist separates immediate decisions from paperwork you can organize afterward. If you are reading this from an active crash scene, stop using your phone whenever it distracts you from staying safe.
First: check for danger and injuries
Call 911 for an emergency, a serious injury, or an immediate traffic hazard. Follow dispatcher and responder instructions. Do not stand between vehicles or enter moving traffic to take pictures. If someone is seriously hurt, avoid unnecessary movement and wait for emergency guidance. Photos can wait; personal safety cannot.
After a head impact or violent jolt, certain symptoms need urgent attention. The CDC identifies concussion danger signs including a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, and difficulty waking. Seek emergency care for these warning signs. Other symptoms may appear later; a reassuring car inspection is not a medical evaluation.
Exchange facts without guessing
When it is safe, collect the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, license plate, and vehicle information. Record the location and approximate time. If police respond, ask how to obtain the incident number and report. Describe what you actually observed and tell responders about symptoms honestly; do not exaggerate injuries to obtain a report.
Do not guess about speed, distances, or an injury’s long-term effects. It is reasonable to say you do not know. If the other driver offers cash, do not feel pressured to sign a release before understanding the damage and your condition. Keep any messages or written offers without treating them as a complete resolution.
Preserve evidence from a safe location
- Photograph both vehicles, including their overall position and close-ups of visible damage.
- Capture traffic signals, lane markings, nearby signs, and road conditions when safe.
- Ask willing witnesses for contact details; do not coach their account.
- Save original dashcam footage promptly and make a backup.
- Keep towing paperwork and note where the vehicle was taken.
If you could not gather anything because you needed treatment, write down what you remember later and identify possible sources of evidence. Do not return to a dangerous roadway to recreate photographs. Our accident-damage documentation guide explains how scene records can support a liability investigation.
Handle police, DMV, and insurance reports separately
A police report does not replace every other reporting obligation. The California DMV requires an SR-1 within 10 days when a collision involves an injury, a death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. This reporting requirement applies regardless of fault and is separate from reports to police or insurers. Ask for help promptly if you are unsure how it applies.
Notify your own insurer promptly under your policy, obtain a claim number, and keep the adjuster’s contact information. Provide accurate facts and preserve copies of what you submit. If no officer prepared a report, tell the insurer that instead of assuming you cannot make a claim. See our guide to reporting injuries when a police report is missing.
Build a simple first-week folder
Use separate sections for medical visits, vehicle damage, missed work, and claim correspondence. Record symptoms for your clinician, not as a substitute for care. Save receipts and appointment instructions. For a fuller checklist, review steps to follow after a car accident. Do not post private medical records publicly or alter original evidence.
Need help choosing your next step?
Contact The L.A. Law Firm at 866-383-1462 to discuss your situation. Phone intake is available 24/7; office visits are by appointment. Bring whatever records you have. This article provides general education, not individualized legal or medical advice, and does not guarantee a recovery.
Featured image: AI-generated conceptual illustration, not an actual client or case.
