In the days right after impact, the choices you make can influence how insurers view fault and how well your injuries are documented.
Focus on three priorities:
- Get medical care promptly (even if you feel “mostly okay”). In California, early treatment records help connect your symptoms to the crash.
- Document what you can while it’s fresh: take photos of the scene, your injuries, traffic signals/crosswalk markings, and any vehicle damage.
- Write down details while you remember them: time of day, weather/lighting, what the driver was doing (turning, stopping, accelerating), and whether you saw any witnesses.
If you’re contacted by the other side’s insurer, be cautious. Recorded statements can be used to challenge your version of events later.


