Steps to Take After A Car Accident
McPhillips Fitzgerald Cullum LLP • February 14, 2021

February 14, 2021

steps-to-take-after-a-car-accident

Being in a car accident, even if you aren’t seriously injured , can be quite a shock. However, there are some important things you need to do if you’ve been in an accident. Read on for steps to take if you find yourself in this situation.

Be safe and call for help

If you are seriously injured, try not to move. If you are not injured, you should get out of the car and move to a sidewalk or somewhere safe and out of traffic. Whether there are injuries or not, the police should be called so that they can file a report.

Stay calm and gather information

An accident is extremely stressful, but it is also important that you stay calm – don’t get angry, but don’t apologize for anything, either. You will need to get the other driver’s insurance information, as well as their contact information. If there were any witnesses, you should get their contact information, too. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the scene. After the police have finished their work, ask for the report number, as well as the officer’s name and badge number.

Start the claims process

If possible, you may want to contact your insurance company while you are on the scene so that they can walk you through the steps of what to do. If this isn’t possible, you should call your insurance company as soon as you can. They will start the claims process by sending an adjuster to assess your vehicle’s damage, and if you have car rental insurance, they will be able to tell you how to go about getting your rental car.

Get medical help if you need to

You may have walked away from the accident all right, but the next day you notice that you don’t feel quite right. In this case, see your doctor as soon as possible so he or she can assess for any injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may want to consult a personal injury lawyer. If you live in New York or Florida, contact McPhillips, Fitzgerald and Cullum for a complimentary consultation.

Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than 
lawyer discussion with client gavel pen and law scale on the table
By shreya kapoor February 15, 2026
When an accident causes serious harm, many people expect injury claims to resolve quickly. Delays can be frustrating, especially as medical expenses and lost income continue to grow. In reality, the timeline for resolving injury claims varies widely depending on several important factors, and a longer process does not necessarily mean something has gone wrong. Established in 1911, […] The post Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than Others to Resolve appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person wearing a neck brace and arm sling sits at a desk with paperwork and a pen.
By content.team January 15, 2026
A letter denying an injury claim can be frightening, especially as medical bills mount and missed paychecks add up. For people in Glens Falls and Chestertown, New York, and Miami Shores, Florida, a denied insurance claim after a product-related accident often raises urgent questions about what to do next.  McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP has represented clients in the […] The post What Happens When An Insurance Company Denies Your Injury Claim appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person holding their head in pain after stepping out of a blue car with a deployed airbag and smoke in the background.
By content.team December 15, 2025
After a motor vehicle accident, many people assume that only the drivers involved can be held responsible. In reality, a careless company, property owner, or government entity may also contribute to the crash. McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP, established in 1911, is the longest-serving law firm in the Greater Glens Falls region and holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV rating for […] The post Third-Party Liability: When Someone Other Than The Driver Is To Blame appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
Show More →