Checklist
After a collision - first 48 hours
What to photograph, who to call (and who not to call), and how to preserve a case before adjusters get to it.
The forty-eight hours after a crash shape what the case looks like for the next year. This is the short version of what to do.
At the scene
- Call 911. Ask for police and EMS.
- Photograph every vehicle, every license plate, the damage from multiple angles, skid marks, debris, traffic signs and signals.
- Exchange ID, insurance, and license-plate information. Do NOT discuss fault.
- Get the names and phone numbers of every witness. They disappear within hours.
- Accept paramedic evaluation if offered. Adrenaline hides injuries.
In the first 24 hours
- Go to a doctor, urgent care, or the ER even if you feel OK. Soft-tissue injuries peak 24 to 72 hours later.
- Report the crash to your OWN insurer - briefly. Facts only. No recorded statement.
- Save every receipt: ambulance, prescriptions, rideshare, rental, tow yard.
- Photograph your injuries. Repeat every day for a week.
Who NOT to call
- The other driver’s insurance company. Their adjuster will call you within 24 hours. Do not give them a recorded statement.
- The body shop the other carrier recommends. Pick your own.
- The "settlement check now" people who knock on the door. Throw the card away.
In the first 48 hours
- Call a lawyer who actually practices in your county. The first conversation is free.
- Send a written preservation letter to any nearby business with a camera. Footage is gone in 30 days.
- Do NOT sign anything from the other driver’s insurance company.
- Do NOT post about the crash on social media. Adjusters look.
WhatsApp the office at (956) 500-1371. We monitor 24/7 for exactly this moment.
Direct consultation
Ready to talk about your case?
Call the firm or schedule a consultation. We speak Spanish and English. Initial consultations are confidential.