Your first priority is safety and medical care—but in the first 24–48 hours, a few actions can make a major difference for an eventual settlement.
Do this if you can:
- Get checked promptly (even if you think it’s “not that bad”). Some injuries from rear-end impacts or sudden stops show up later.
- Document the scene: traffic signals, lane positions, weather/road conditions (especially glare, snowmelt, or potholes), and any hazards.
- Capture rideshare details: trip timing, pickup/drop-off location, and the driver’s status if you can access it.
- Record witnesses before they leave—near local retail strips or busy crosswalk areas, people often move on quickly.
- Request the police report number if one was filed.
Avoid this:
- Don’t rush into recorded statements to any insurer before your claim facts are organized.
- Don’t post detailed commentary online about what you believe happened.


