Hi guys, Eric Roy here. If you’ve been in a traffic accident, the next 30–60 minutes matter.
What you do (and what you say) can protect your health, your claim, and your future.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide you can follow.
1) Safety first — protect people before property
Your priority is your health and everyone’s safety.
- If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 immediately.
- If you can move safely, get out of traffic and go to a protected area (sidewalk, shoulder, parking lot).
- Turn on hazard lights and, if you have them, set out warning triangles/flares.
- If you suspect a serious injury (head/neck/back), don’t move unless staying put is unsafe.
What matters: Insurance companies look closely at injuries and timing. Getting medical help quickly isn’t “dramatic”—it’s smart.
2) Call the police and get an official report
Even if the accident seems minor, an official report can be the difference between a smooth claim and a mess later.
- Ask the responding officer how to obtain the report number.
- If police can’t respond, file a report as directed and document everything yourself.
Why it matters: A police report creates a neutral record of what happened—especially when the other driver changes their story later.