What To Do in the First 24 Hours After a car accident (WI)
A car accident happens in seconds. One moment you’re driving normally, the next moment everything changes.
In those first minutes and hours after an accident, your decisions matter. A lot. What you do—or don’t do—in the first 24 hours can protect your safety, preserve critical evidence, and protect your legal claim.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, so you don’t have to figure it out while you’re shaken, hurt, or confused.
The First 60 Seconds: Safety First
Step 1: Check for injuries and move to safety
If you’re able to move:
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries
- If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately
- If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location (unless it’s unsafe to do so)
- Turn on your hazard lights
- If you can’t move your vehicle safely, stay inside with seatbelts fastened and call 911
If you’re injured or in shock:
- Stay in your vehicle with the engine off
- Call 911 or have a passenger call
- Don’t move if you have neck, spine, or head pain
Why this matters: Your safety is the priority. Everything else comes after.
The First Few Minutes: Call for Help
Step 2: Call 911 if there are injuries or significant damage
In Wisconsin, you’re required to report accidents that result in:
- Injury to any person
- Death
- Damage to any vehicle or property
What to tell the dispatcher:
- Your location (street address, mile marker, or landmarks)
- Number of vehicles involved
- Number of people injured
- Whether anyone is trapped or in immediate danger
- Whether hazardous materials are involved (fuel leak, etc.)
- Your vehicle description and license plate
What NOT to do:
- Don’t admit fault or apologize for the accident
- Don’t speculate about what happened
- Don’t discuss injuries in detail (just report that someone is injured)
- Don’t hang up until the dispatcher says it’s okay
Why this matters: A police report creates an official record of the accident. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim and any potential legal case.
While You Wait for Police: Gather Information
Step 3: Document the scene (if it’s safe to do so)
Once you’ve called 911 and you’re in a safe location, start gathering information. Use your phone to take photos and notes.
Photos to take:
- All vehicle damage (wide shots and close-ups)
- The accident scene and road conditions
- Traffic signs and signals
- Weather conditions (rain, snow, fog, etc.)
- Skid marks or debris
- The final position of all vehicles
- License plates of all vehicles involved
- Your vehicle’s odometer and dashboard (for reference)
Information to collect from the other driver:
- Full name and phone number
- Address
- Driver’s license number and state
- Vehicle make, model, year, and color
- Vehicle license plate number
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Insurance company name
- Insurance policy number
- Driver’s license expiration date
Information to collect from witnesses:
- Full name and phone number
- Address
- What they saw (brief description)
- Whether they’re willing to provide a statement
Why this matters: Photos and witness information are critical evidence. Insurance companies and attorneys rely on this documentation to understand what happened and who’s at fault.
When Police Arrive: Cooperate Carefully
Step 4: Talk to police—but protect yourself
When police arrive, you’re required to provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Provide these documents.
What to tell police:
- Your name and contact information
- Basic facts about the accident (where, when, what vehicles were involved)
- Whether anyone is injured
- Your vehicle information
What NOT to tell police:
- Don’t admit fault or apologize for the accident
- Don’t speculate about what happened
- Don’t discuss injuries in detail
- Don’t make statements like “I didn’t see them” or “I was distracted”
- Don’t sign anything except your license and registration
Why this matters: Anything you say to police can be used against you later. Keep your statements factual and minimal. Let the police investigate and determine fault.
Get the police report number: Ask the officer for the report number or case number. You’ll need this to file your insurance claim.
After Police Leave: Document Your Injuries
Step 5: Seek medical attention—even if you feel fine
This is critical. Many car accident injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Whiplash, internal injuries, and concussions can develop hours or days after an accident.
Go to the emergency room or urgent care if:
- You have any pain, numbness, or tingling
- You have headaches or dizziness
- You feel nauseous or confused
- You have difficulty moving your neck, back, or limbs
- You have any visible injuries
- You feel shaken or anxious
Go to your primary care doctor if:
- You feel okay but want to be checked out
- You want documentation of your condition immediately after the accident
Why this matters: Medical documentation creates a record linking your injuries to the accident. Without this documentation, insurance companies will argue your injuries aren’t related to the accident or aren’t as serious as you claim.
Take photos of your injuries: If you have visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling), take photos immediately and over the next few days as they change. These photos are powerful evidence.
Within a Few Hours: Notify Your Insurance Company
Step 6: Report the accident to your insurance company
Call your insurance company and report the accident.
Within 24 Hours: Protect Your Claim
Step 7: Contact a personal injury attorney
This is one of the most important steps you can take.
Step 8: Start documenting everything
Step 9: Avoid social media
Step 10: Keep all documents
Why You Need an Attorney
An attorney handles the legal and insurance side so you can focus on healing.
Contact Nowlan Personal Injury Law Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Wisconsin, don’t navigate this alone.
Whether your accident happened in Janesville, Beloit, Sun Prairie, Madison, or anywhere else in Wisconsin, we’re here to help.
Confidential. No pressure. No obligation.
Call: (866) 971-9124 | Text: (608) 830-0606
