After a crash

A plain checklist

What to do after a crash, in order

Most of what decides an injury claim happens in the first few days. None of these steps need a lawyer. All of them make a lawyer's job easier later.

1. 1 Step 1: Get safe, then call 911 Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 for anyone hurt, and make sure the police make a report. The report number matters later.
2. 2 Step 2: Get medical care the same day Go to the ER or urgent care, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides pain. A record from day one also helps your claim.
3. 3 Step 3: Photograph everything Vehicles, plates, the road, signs, signals, your injuries, your gear. Take more than you think you need.
4. 4 Step 4: Swap details, not opinions Get names, phone numbers, insurance and plate numbers. Do not say sorry or guess about fault at the scene.
5. 5 Step 5: Find the witnesses and cameras Ask people who stopped for their numbers. Note doorbells, shops and traffic cameras nearby. Video gets recorded over fast.
6. 6 Step 6: Tell your insurer the basics Report the crash to your own insurer. Stick to when and where. Do not give a recorded statement to the other side's insurer.
7. 7 Step 7: Keep a simple file Bills, receipts, missed work, and a short daily note about pain and what you cannot do. It adds up to the story of your claim.
8. 8 Step 8: Talk to a lawyer before you sign Before you accept a check or sign a release, get advice. A free case evaluation costs you nothing.

One more step, by type of crash

Each crash type has one thing people most often miss.

• Motorcycle accidents Get checked by a doctor, even if you rode home. Head and wrist injuries often show up late.
• Bicycle accidents Save your ride file from your bike computer, watch or phone app. Export it if you can.
• Pedestrian accidents Get the police report number. Pedestrian crashes almost always get a report.
• Rideshare accidents Screenshot the trip in your app: the receipt, the route, the driver's name and car.
• Bus accidents Write down the route number, the bus number if you saw it, the time and the stop.
• Hit-and-run crashes Report the crash to the police right away, even if you feel okay.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims Find your declarations page. Look for uninsured or underinsured motorist lines.
• Drunk-driver crashes Get the police report and the case number for the criminal charge.

General information for Ohio, not legal advice. Every crash is different.