The First 72 Hours After a California Crash

Move to a safe location if possible. Call 911 immediately. Prioritize medical care — even if you feel okay right now.

If paramedics respond, let them evaluate you. Then go to the ER or urgent care the same day. Some injuries are not immediately apparent.

Make sure a police report is filed and get the report number. This creates an official record of what happened.

Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Capture everything before the scene changes.

Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. Witnesses can be difficult to locate later.

The other driver's insurance company may contact you quickly. Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer. You are not required to.

Save medical bills, repair estimates, prescription receipts, and all correspondence related to the crash. Keep everything in one place.

Attend all medical appointments and follow your doctor's instructions. Gaps in treatment can be used against you later.

Do not post about the crash, your injuries, or your case on any social media platform. Anything you post can be used against you.

While the details are fresh, write down everything you remember — the time, location, what you saw, what was said, and how you felt. Keep this private.

The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better positioned you are. Your first call is free and creates no obligation.