The First 72 Hours: A Critical Checklist After an Accident
This article provides a clear, step-by-step checklist after an accident to help you protect your health, your rights, and your claim during the critical first 72 hours.
If you’ve just been in an accident, your brain is trying to do a hundred things at once: get safe, calm down, deal with the car (or the fall, or the injury), contact law enforcement, talk to your insurance company, and figure out what happens next. That’s exactly why the first 72 hours matter. This small window of time is when your actions and decisions can protect (or accidentally damage) your health, finances, and insurance claim.
To help you successfully navigate the aftermath of an accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Avera & Smith have prepared a checklist with short, practical answers to the most common questions of what to do within the first 72 hours of an accident.
What should I do immediately after an accident?
How do I prioritize safety right away?
Get to a safer spot if you can (out of traffic, away from hazards) and check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, or you’re not sure, call 911 immediately.
Should I call the police even if it seems minor?
Yes, especially for vehicle crashes or anything involving injuries, property damage, or a dispute about what happened. A report can create an objective record that helps later with insurance and legal issues.
What medical steps should I take in the first 24 hours?
Do I need medical care if I “feel fine”?
Yes. Some injuries show up hours or even days later, such as soft tissue injuries. Head injuries in particular can be delayed, and the CDC notes that concussion/mild TBI symptoms may not appear right away.
What are “red flag” symptoms of a possible head injury that mean I should go to the ER now?
Seek emergency care if you have worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness/numbness, confusion, trouble waking up, or unusual behavior. Those are danger signs listed by the CDC and should be treated urgently.
What should I document about my symptoms?
Write down what hurts, when it started, and what makes it worse, plus any new symptoms (like dizziness or headaches). Take photos of visible injuries now and again over the next few days as bruising develops.
What information should I collect at the scene (and what should I avoid saying)?
What details should I gather (if it’s safe)?
Collect the essentials, then get out of the way and breathe.
- People: names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers
- Insurance: company + policy number (and a photo of the card)
- Vehicles: license plates, make/model/color, VIN if visible
- Evidence: photos/video of damage, positions, road conditions, skid marks, signage, and injuries
- Witnesses: names + numbers, quick note on what they saw
Should I admit fault or apologize?
No. Even a polite “I’m sorry” can be misunderstood as an admission; stick to facts and let the investigation and evidence speak.
What photos and evidence matter most in the first 72 hours?
What should I photograph or save?
Aim for “wide-to-close” coverage so someone unfamiliar can understand what happened.
- Wide shots: overall scene, intersections, traffic flow
- Mid shots: each vehicle/object position, lanes, signage
- Close-ups: damage, debris, injuries, key details
- Paper trail: discharge papers, prescriptions, receipts, tow/storage info
- Digital trail: dashcam footage, texts/emails with insurers (screenshots)
Should I get a copy of the crash report?
Yes. Ask the officer how to obtain it and write down the report number. That report can help keep facts consistent across insurance and medical records. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s crash data systems rely on police crash reports as the primary source of crash details, like vehicles involved, locations, and injuries.
How do I get a copy of the crash report?
In Florida, you can obtain a copy of your crash report through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Crash Portal by searching with details like the date of the accident, the names involved, or the crash report number and paying the required fee (often about $10 plus a small convenience charge).
Reports are typically filed by the responding law enforcement agency and made available online within about 10 days of the crash; you can also request the report in person from the law enforcement agency that handled the collision or by mail to FLHSMV’s Crash Records office.
When should I notify insurance?
Should I report the accident to my insurer quickly?
Yes, timely notice helps protect coverage and starts the claim process. Keep it factual and brief, and don’t guess about injuries or fault.
Should I give a recorded statement right away?
Not without speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney and understanding the potential consequences of what you’re agreeing to. If you’re pressured, it’s okay to say: “I’m not ready to give a recorded statement today and I’ll follow up after I’ve received medical care and reviewed the facts.”
What to do and what not to do within the first 72 hours of an accident?
| What to do | What not to do |
| Get checked by a medical professional, even if symptoms are delayed. | Admit fault, speculate, or argue at the scene. |
| Document the scene and your injuries early and thoroughly. | Downplay injuries (or assume pain “doesn’t count” unless it’s severe). |
| Contact your insurance company and keep communications brief and factual.
Contact Avera & Smith. |
Sign broad medical releases or accept quick settlement offers before you understand the full impact. |
Injured in an accident? Contact Avera & Smith today.
Call 800-654-4659 for a free case review.
The first 72 hours after an accident is when good cases are protected: evidence is fresh, witnesses are reachable, and paperwork hasn’t gotten tangled. For over 70 years, Avera & Smith has represented victims of serious accidents, earning a reputation as one of Florida’s most respected personal injury trial firms. With decades of courtroom experience and a results-driven approach, we are trusted by our clients when the outcome truly matters.
If you’re within the first 72 hours after an accident, your job is to focus on your health and keep your story consistent—ours is to help you avoid common pitfalls, coordinate next steps, and push back when insurers try to minimize what happened. Contact Avera & Smith as soon as you can so we can help you lock down evidence, protect your claim, and move forward with a clear plan.
Request a free case review through our online form or call 800-654-4659 to speak with one of our attorneys.