Crashes on highways and local streets happen fast. One minute you are driving home, the next minute you are hurt, scared, and facing a pile of new tasks.
This guide lays out simple steps, your basic rights, and when to get legal help. It reflects what careful firms, including Sutliff Stout, tell clients who want straight answers without legal talk that feels confusing. Use it as a checklist you can follow under stress.
First Things To Do
Move to a safe place if you can. Turn on hazard lights. Check for injuries and call 911. Stay at the scene, exchange names, phone numbers, insurance details, and plate numbers. Be polite and calm.
Take clear photos from several angles. Include the cars, the road, traffic lights or signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and best contact. When police arrive, ask how to get the report number.
Write a short timeline while your memory is fresh. Note the weather, speed, lane, and what you saw the other driver do. Even two or three sentences help later.
See a doctor within a day or two, even if you think you are fine. Some injuries show up later. Medical records link the crash to your symptoms. Keep copies of all visit summaries and bills.
Your Rights With Insurers
Call your own insurer to open a claim. Share the basic facts only. Avoid guessing about fault or injuries.
If the other driver’s insurer calls, you can keep it short and say you will follow up after you speak with your doctor or attorney. You do not have to give a recorded statement to the other insurer.
Save everything. Keep medical bills, receipts for medicines and supplies, repair estimates, towing and rental costs, and proof of missed work. These records support your claim. If your policy includes medical payments coverage, ask how to submit bills.
If you have collision coverage, you can repair your car through your policy while your insurer seeks payback from the other side.
Adjusters move faster when files are complete. Organized records, clear photos, and a simple timeline reduce delays.
When To Call a Lawyer
You may not need a lawyer for a small dent with no injuries. It helps to call one if any of these apply:
- You have pain that lasts, need tests, therapy, or time off work.
- Fault is disputed or the police report is unclear.
- A commercial truck or multiple cars are involved.
- An insurer offers a quick settlement before your care ends.
- You face surgery or a long recovery.
A good injury lawyer listens, gathers proof, handles insurer calls, and watches deadlines. Most offer a free review and use a contingency fee, which means they get paid only if there is a recovery. That setup lowers stress while you heal.
If you reach out, ask three direct questions. How will you update me, what proof do you need from me this week, and what are the next three steps. Clear answers build trust.
Proof That Helps Your Claim
Think of proof in four easy groups.
Scene proof. Police report, photos, and any video. Ask nearby stores or homes if they have cameras and how long they keep footage. Save screenshots of the weather, traffic alerts, or road work, if relevant.
Medical proof. ER and urgent care notes, test results, therapy notes, and referrals. Ask your provider for a short statement that ties the injury to the crash. If you had prior issues, be honest. Records that show you were symptom free before, then needed care after, help connect the dots.
Income proof. Pay stubs, a letter from your employer about missed hours, and any disability forms. If you are self employed, keep invoices, bank statements, and recent tax returns that show normal income.
Repair proof. Body shop estimates, detailed photos of damage, and rental car or rideshare receipts.
Make a simple folder on your phone or laptop. Use clear file names, such as “2025-09-20_ER_Visit,” “Witness_Maria_Ramos_2015550199,” or “Estimate_AutoWorks_1.” Clean labels save time for you and anyone helping you.
Timelines And Money Questions
How long will this take. Small property damage claims can wrap up within weeks once estimates are in. Injury claims take longer because you want to finish care or get a medical outlook before you settle.
Many people wait until treatment ends or a doctor gives a forecast, then they send a complete package.
How much is my case worth. Value comes from medical costs, lost income, repair bills, and a fair amount for pain and the limits on your daily life during recovery. Policy limits also matter. An attorney looks at your records, policy limits, and similar cases, then gives a realistic range.
Be careful with early offers that arrive before your care plan is set. Once you sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim if new problems show up.
What if I was partly at fault. Many states allow recovery even when both drivers share fault, with your amount reduced by your share. Do not assume you are stuck. Photos, vehicle data, and witness notes can change early views about blame.
What if insurance is slow. Send a short letter or email listing what is still missing. Adjusters often wait for final bills, wage proof, or a clear doctor note. When your file is complete, ask for a review date so you know when to check back.
If You Seek Counsel
Start with a short call. Share the basics, the police report number, a list of providers, and two or three photos. Ask for a plan for the next thirty days.
A focused plan often includes ordering records, checking your insurance benefits, and sending a preservation letter for any camera footage.
Ask about fees and costs in plain terms. Many injury lawyers use a contingency fee. Case costs, such as record fees or expert review, are tracked and explained in writing.
Look for a fee letter that uses short sentences and simple math. If anything is unclear, ask for a rewrite in simpler words.
Pick someone who listens and explains your options without pressure. The right fit shows up in small signs, like quick call backs, clear updates, and a steady tone during a difficult time.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.