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Published April 9, 2026 | 6 min read
A car accident is disorienting. In the minutes and hours after a crash, you're dealing with pain, shock, confusion, and a flood of decisions. What you do in this window matters — both for your health and for any potential legal claim.
Here's a step-by-step guide based on Pennsylvania law and best practices from experienced personal injury attorneys.
Your safety comes first. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt — even if it seems minor — call 911 immediately. Some injuries, like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, don't show symptoms right away.
In Pennsylvania, you're required to call the police if anyone is injured, if a vehicle needs to be towed, or if there's significant property damage. A police report is also critical evidence for your insurance claim and any potential lawsuit.
If your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so, move to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights. If you can't move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives.
Use your phone to take photos and video of:
This evidence can be critical later. Surveillance footage gets deleted, memories fade, and accident scenes are cleaned up quickly.
Get the following from the other driver(s):
If there are witnesses, ask for their name and phone number. Witness statements can make or break a case.
This is the step most people skip, and it's the one that costs them the most. Adrenaline masks pain. Many serious injuries — herniated discs, concussions, soft tissue damage — don't show symptoms for hours or even days.
See a doctor within 24-48 hours of the accident. This creates a medical record that links your injuries to the crash. Without it, insurance companies will argue your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated.
The other driver's insurance adjuster may call you — sometimes within hours. They sound friendly. They may offer a quick settlement. Do not accept it.
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may:
Politely decline and tell them your attorney will be in touch. You have no legal obligation to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
Pennsylvania is a "choice no-fault" state. When you bought your auto insurance, you chose either:
Even with limited tort, there are exceptions — including injuries caused by drunk drivers, out-of-state drivers, or commercial vehicles. An attorney can evaluate whether an exception applies to your case.
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the accident. Miss this deadline and you lose your right to file a lawsuit entirely.
In New Jersey, it's also 2 years. In Delaware, it's 2 years for personal injury but only 2 years for property damage as well.
Don't wait until the last minute. Evidence degrades, witnesses move, and building a strong case takes time.
Most car accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency — meaning you pay nothing upfront, and they only get paid if you win. There's no financial risk to getting a professional evaluation of your case.
An attorney can tell you what your case is worth, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and make sure you don't accidentally waive your rights by signing a settlement too early.
YourMedLegal connects you with an experienced car accident attorney in the Philadelphia area — for free. It takes less than 2 minutes.
Get My Free Case ReviewThis article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. For guidance specific to your situation, consult with a licensed attorney.
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