In the first hours after a crash, your goal is simple: protect your health and preserve the facts.
- Get medical care right away. Even if you feel “mostly okay,” soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and internal issues can show up later.
- Report the injury accurately to providers. Use consistent descriptions of symptoms, timing, and where pain is located.
- Save scene evidence if you can do so safely. Photos of the crosswalk/intersection, traffic signals, vehicle damage, and any visible debris can be critical.
- Write down details while they’re fresh. Time of day, weather/lighting, whether a driver was turning, and what you recall about the driver’s lane and speed.
- Avoid recorded statements until you understand your case. Insurance adjusters may ask questions that sound routine—but can be used to narrow liability.
If your crash happened near a busy corridor, during commuting hours, or around evening activity, evidence can disappear quickly (videos get overwritten and witnesses move on). Acting early helps.


