What should you do immediately after a car accident? Today, I’m sharing the three (3) steps I think you should take first.

1. Call the Police

You’ve just been hit by another car. Look around. Where are you? Are you in the middle of the roadway, the median, the shoulder? Where is the other vehicle? Can you open your door?

If you are able to safely exit your vehicle, your first action should be locating your cell phone and finding a safe location to call emergency services from.

Calling the police is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others (especially if your vehicle is still on the roadway) after a car accident.

Once police arrive, they can secure the scene, divert traffic, and make sure that everyone remains as safe as possible while the vehicles are cleared and any debris is removed from the roadway.

Don’t assume someone else will call the police. Do it yourself so you can be certain they are on the way.

2. Take Photographs of the Collision Scene and Property Damage

After you know the police are on their way, the next thing you should do, if you are physically able to, is to take pictures of the collision scene and the property damage to the vehicles involved.

These photos should be from close up and far away. Be sure to capture photos of any debris on the ground and the position of the vehicles relative to the roadway, each other, and any debris fields present.

Things happen fast after a car accident. Vehicles get moved. Weather conditions change. Debris is picked up.  After a car crash, you want to document the conditions and context of the crash as early as possible.

Don’t assume the other driver or even the police will do this for you. Do it yourself so you know it is done.

3. Seek Medical Treatment

After the police are on their way and you’ve taken the necessary photos, it is time to seek medical treatment.

Immediately after a collision you may not realize you are hurt. When we sense danger, our bodies release adrenaline to prepare us for “fight or flight.” This can be incredibly helpful in survival situations. It isn’t very helpful when it masks our injuries from us after a car wreck.

This is why I tell people to seek medical treatment after a collision. You need to know whether you are injured or not. Basing your decision on whether to seek medical treatment on how you feel or look in the moments after a crash may not be the wisest choice.

Going to the emergency department is the easiest path to peace of mind. Let them check for the injuries you cannot see. Emergency room providers will be able to make sure you are stable and safe before sending you home.  

If you have been in a car accident in Bay Village, Beachwood, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Berea, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Brook Park, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Fairview Park, Garfield Heights, Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Maple Heights, Mayfield Heights, North Olmsted, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Parma, Parma Heights, Pepper Pike, Richmond Heights, Rocky River, Seven Hills, Shaker Heights, Solon, South Euclid, Strongsville, University Heights, Warrensville Heights, Westlake, or any other part of the Cleveland Metro Area, the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals have literally hundreds of service locations near you. Don’t make the mistake of delaying your treatment another moment. Go today.