• Check yourself and passengers for injuries
• Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Don't second-guess it
• Move to a safe location if the vehicle is drivable, then turn on hazards
• Stay inside the vehicle if you're on a freeway shoulder or narrow road

Secondary collisions often happen to people standing outside their cars. If it's not safe to exit, stay seatbelted and wait for help.

• Wide shot of both vehicles in their final positions (before anyone moves)
• Close-ups of your vehicle damage from multiple angles
• Close-ups of the other vehicle's damage
• Photo of the other driver's license plate
• Photos of the other driver's license and insurance card
• Skid marks, debris, broken glass, property damage around the scene
• Road conditions: wet/dry, visibility, signage, traffic signal state

The photos you take in the first ten minutes are evidence. The photos you wish you'd taken don't exist later.

• Full name and phone number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Vehicle year, make, model
• License plate number
• Driver's license number (optional but useful)

Get it all, even if the damage looks minor. Brief encounters become disputed claims.

• Call the police. Yes, even for minor fender-benders
• Get the responding officer's name and badge number
• Get the report number and the agency name (OCSD, CHP, local PD)
• Note the responding agency's phone number for follow-up copies

A report at the scene is easy. Reconstructing one after the fact is hard, and some insurers won't cover certain claims without one.

• State the facts of the accident plainly
• Do NOT accept fault
• Do NOT speculate about causes
• Do NOT give a recorded statement in the first hour
• Ask for your claim number
• Get the adjuster's name, phone, and email
• Ask what documentation they need and the filing deadline

Recorded statements taken in the first hour of shock are often used later to challenge claims. Politely say: 'I'd like to review everything once I'm home before giving a recorded statement.' That is your right.

• Go to urgent care or an ER. Even if you feel fine
• Document the visit with intake paperwork
• Get copies of all medical records and imaging
• Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket costs

Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries often don't present symptoms for hours or days. Same-day documentation protects both your health and any future claim.

• Know your legal right: California Insurance Code §758.5 guarantees you choose the shop
• Ignore 'preferred shop' steering from the insurance adjuster
• Look for I-CAR Gold Class certification (fewer than 10% of shops hold it)
• Ask about warranty coverage. Lifetime is achievable; 1-year is common
• Ask who handles the insurance supplement negotiation
• Get at least two estimates before committing
• Verify certifications yourself at i-car.com/shop-locator

Crash Lab is I-CAR Gold Class certified, OEM-first on parts, and backs every repair with a true lifetime warranty. We handle the insurance process end-to-end.