A car accident is disorienting, and it is hard to think clearly when you are shaken and hurt. But the steps you take right afterward can have a real effect on your recovery — both physical and financial. Here is what I tell people to do.
1. Get safe and get medical care
Your health comes first. Move out of traffic if you can, call 911, and accept medical evaluation even if you feel “okay.” Adrenaline masks injuries, and conditions like concussions and soft-tissue damage often show up hours or days later. A prompt medical record also connects your injuries to the crash.
2. Document everything you can
- Photograph the vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and your visible injuries.
- Get the other driver’s name, insurance, and license plate.
- Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Note the time, location, and how the crash happened while it is fresh.
3. Be careful what you say
Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene — fault is a legal conclusion, not a courtesy. Report the crash to your own insurer, but do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. You are not required to, and those statements are routinely used to minimize claims.
4. Understand your own coverage
Oregon drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which can pay early medical bills regardless of who caused the crash, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you when the at-fault driver has too little insurance. Knowing what applies to your situation is part of getting full value.
5. Talk to a lawyer before you settle
Early settlement offers are almost always lower than a claim is worth, and once you sign a release, you cannot reopen it — even if your injuries turn out to be serious. A car accident claim deserves a real valuation. A free case review costs nothing and tells you whether an offer is fair before you accept it.
Insurers move fast for a reason. A little caution in the first week protects you for the whole case.
Request a free case review or call (503) 379-9933.