Were you hurt in a car crash? Here is what to do next

We are sorry this happened to you. You are not alone, and you do not have to figure this out by yourself.

Are you in an emergency right now?
Check yourself and others for injuries, breathing, and bleeding.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is not safe.
Move away from traffic if you can do it safely.
Get medical care even if you feel fine. Some injuries hide for days.
This page is for after you are safe.

This page covers car crash claim deadlines and what to do right now. We are the injured person's advocate. We connect you with a lawyer who handles cases like yours, so you get the full settlement your recovery deserves. Always free. Talk to an advocate. We usually reply within minutes, at most one business day.

Why car crash claims get tricky

Car crash claims look simple at first. In practice, a few things make them harder than they look.

Pain does not always show up right away. Whiplash (a neck injury from a sudden jolt) and other soft-tissue injuries can take hours or days to feel bad. If you feel fine at the scene and skip a medical check, insurance companies may later argue your injury was not from the crash at all. Get checked even if you feel fine.

Insurance adjusters often call fast, sometimes within hours, and offer quick money before you know the full cost of your repairs and care. Before you answer them, talk to an advocate first.

Fault can also get disputed even when a crash looks straightforward, especially with multiple vehicles or unclear traffic patterns. Do not argue fault at the scene or online. A lawyer sorts out fault later. Talk to your advocate and they will introduce you to one.

Protect your case

Take photos of the vehicles, the road, and the scene.
Write down what happened while it is fresh: date, time, location, and weather.
Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers with everyone involved.
Get contact information from any witnesses.
Report the crash to your own insurance company. Give them the facts only: date, location, and who was involved. Do not guess about fault.
Talk to an advocate before you deal with anything legal, including paperwork from the other driver's insurer. It is free, and it keeps your options open.
Warning: don't wait! The filing deadline is a trap. It is different in every state, so people wait, and waiting kills cases. The longer you wait, the fuzzier memories get and evidence gets lost. Talk to an advocate immediately. And important: medical claims can have different, often shorter deadlines. Do not assume the standard rule covers a hospital or doctor case. Find your state on our state pages.

Never do these

Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even your own. Talk to an advocate first.
Never admit fault or say "I'm sorry" at the scene. Stick to facts only.
Never sign a release or accept a first settlement offer without talking to an advocate first. Once you sign, you may not be able to undo it.
Never post about the crash, your injuries, or your recovery on social media. Insurers use these posts against you.

Why waiting or going it alone can cost you

In 2021, 18-year-old Rayza Dominguez was rear-ended in Frisco, Texas. Just hours later, the other driver's insurance company called and offered her $1,000 on the spot, warning her the offer might not last. She said yes over the phone with no lawyer and no idea what her damages really were.

Her repairs alone ended up costing almost $2,400, and she still needed chiropractic care. She could not go back for more money. (CBS Texas) Talk to an advocate before you accept any offer, even if it feels urgent.

What we can help with

We help you understand your rights after a crash and connect you with a lawyer who handles cases like yours, so you are treated fairly. This is always free to you, and we are honest about what we can and cannot promise. No one can guarantee how a case turns out.