Free Car Accident Checklist: Print This and Keep It in Your Glove Box

Nobody expects to be in a car accident. But when it happens, the decisions you make in the first minutes, hours, and days determine whether you protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation. This checklist gives you a clear plan for every stage.

Print it. Keep it in your glove box. Share it with your family. You'll be glad you did.

At the Scene (First 15 Minutes)

• Check yourself and passengers for injuries
• Call 911 — even if the accident seems minor
• Move to a safe location if possible (shoulder, parking lot)
• Turn on hazard lights
• Do NOT admit fault — not to the other driver, not to the police, not to anyone
• Exchange information with the other driver:
  • Full name and phone number
  • Insurance company and policy number
  • Driver's license number
  • License plate number
  • Vehicle make, model, and color
• Get contact information from any witnesses
• Take photos and video of everything (see the photo guide below)
• Write down the police report number before the officer leaves
• Call for a tow if your vehicle isn't drivable

Photos to Take at the Scene

Your phone is your best evidence tool. Take these 15 photos before you leave:

1. Wide shot of the entire scene showing both vehicles and the road
2. Close-up of damage on your vehicle from every angle
3. Close-up of damage on the other vehicle
4. Both license plates
5. Other driver's insurance card and license
6. Skid marks on the road
7. Traffic signs and signals at the intersection
8. Road conditions (wet pavement, debris, potholes)
9. Your visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling)
10. Weather and lighting conditions
11. Street signs showing your location
12. Screenshot of your GPS location
13. Any nearby surveillance cameras (businesses, traffic cams)
14. Debris field from the collision
15. A 30-second video walkthrough of the entire scene

Back up all photos to the cloud immediately — don't rely on your phone alone.

First 24 Hours

• See a doctor — even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain for 24–72 hours. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries often appear days later.
• Tell the doctor you were in a car accident so it's documented in your medical record
• Call your insurance company to report the accident. Have your policy number, the police report number, and the other driver's info ready.
• Do NOT give a recorded statement to ANY insurance company without consulting a lawyer first
• Start a pain and symptom journal — write down what hurts, what you can't do, how you slept. Update it daily.
• Do NOT post about the accident on social media — insurance companies check your accounts

First Week

• Get a copy of the police report (usually available 3–10 business days after the accident). Request it from the responding police department — online, in person, or by mail.
• The other driver's insurance company will likely call you. Do NOT give them a recorded statement. Be polite but brief: "I'm still receiving medical treatment and consulting with a lawyer before making any statements."
• Arrange a rental car if yours is not drivable. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should cover this.
• Get a free case evaluation to understand your options. Our AI reviews your case in 2 minutes and matches you with an experienced injury lawyer — no fees unless you win.
• Continue all medical treatment. Do not skip appointments — gaps in treatment are used by insurance to deny your claim.
• Keep all receipts: medical bills, prescriptions, towing, rental car, rideshare to appointments, anything related to the accident.

Important Phone Numbers

Keep these handy:

• Emergency: 911
• AAA Roadside Assistance: 1-800-222-4357
• State Farm Claims: 1-800-732-5246
• GEICO Claims: 1-800-841-3000
• Progressive Claims: 1-800-776-4737
• Allstate Claims: 1-800-547-8676
• USAA Claims: 1-800-531-8722
• AskMatlock Free Case Review: askmatlock.com/direct-leadgen

What NOT to Do

• Do not admit fault at the scene or to any insurance company
• Do not say "I'm fine" to anyone — you don't know that yet
• Do not accept the first settlement offer from insurance (it's almost always a lowball)
• Do not sign any documents from the other driver's insurance without a lawyer reviewing them
• Do not wait to see a doctor — delayed treatment hurts your claim and your health
• Do not post about the accident on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or anywhere public

Share This Checklist

Text this page to your family and friends — everyone should have this information before they need it. You can also print this page and keep a copy in your glove box.

If you've been in an accident and need help, get a free case evaluation — our AI reviews your case in 2 minutes and connects you with an experienced injury lawyer at no cost.