The hours after a car accident are disorienting. Adrenaline masks pain. Details blur. And the decisions made in those first three days can shape everything that follows — from medical recovery to how an insurance claim is handled to what compensation may be available.

Indiana roads see serious crashes every day. In 2023 alone, Indiana experienced more than 204,000 traffic crashes, including nearly 31,000 injury crashes and 945 fatalities. For Indiana residents between the ages of 1 and 44, injury-related incidents are among the leading causes of death. These are not rare events. They are common ones, and they require a clear-headed response.

This guide walks through the steps that matter most in the first 72 hours after a crash.

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Call 911

Before anything else, check yourself and others for injuries. If it is safe to do so, move vehicles out of traffic. Then immediately call 911, especially when someone is hurt, when the scene is dangerous, or when there is property damage. This is crucial as most insurance companies will not review a case without an incident report.

Indiana law requires any driver involved in a crash to stop immediately at or near the scene, remain there, exchange identifying information, and provide reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured or trapped. When a crash involves injury, death, or damage that triggers reporting obligations, drivers must also notify law enforcement as quickly as possible. Leaving the scene of a serious accident is a criminal offense.

When law enforcement arrives, give a factual account of what happened. Avoid speculation about fault.

Step 2: Document the Scene Before It Changes

Memories fade, and vehicles get repaired quickly. Use your phone to photograph and document as much as possible while you are still at the scene.

Capture vehicle positions, visible damage to all vehicles involved, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, license plates, weather, and any visible injuries. If witnesses are present, ask for their names and contact information.

Do not admit fault, apologize, or speculate about what caused the crash. Even casual statements can be used against you later in an insurance negotiation or legal proceeding.

Step 3: Seek Medical Evaluation Within 24 Hours

This is the step people most commonly skip, and the one that causes the most problems later.

Many injuries from car accidents do not present immediately. Concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal pain often take hours or days to surface. If you wait too long to see a doctor, insurance adjusters may argue that the delay means the injuries were not serious or were not caused by the crash.

Get evaluated at an emergency room, urgent care center, or with your primary care physician as soon as possible after the accident. Early medical records create a direct connection between the crash and your injuries and document the full extent of the harm.

Follow all discharge instructions, attend every follow-up appointment, and keep copies of all documentation.

Step 4: Report the Accident to Insurance Carefully

Notify your own insurance company promptly and provide them with the information they need. Keep the initial report to basic facts: the date, time, location, and the other parties involved.

You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and doing so before understanding your rights can create problems. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. An early settlement offer in the first few days may sound fair, but it is almost certainly calculated before the full extent of your injuries are known. Once you accept a settlement, it is final.

Consult with an attorney before agreeing to any recorded statement or accepting any offer.

Step 5: Track Your Symptoms, Costs, and Impact on Daily Life

Start a written record immediately. Note your pain levels each day, sleep disruptions, mobility limitations, medications and their side effects, missed work, and any medical appointments. This kind of documentation builds the narrative of the damage and shows how the crash affected your life beyond the vehicle damage.

Keep every bill, prescription receipt, discharge instruction sheet, and repair estimate. These records matter.

Step 6: Understand Indiana's Reporting Requirements

Indiana law requires accident reporting when a crash results in injury or death, or when property damage exceeds $1,000. If law enforcement did not file a report at the scene, a driver may need to file a report with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 10 days.

Understanding these obligations early protects you from procedural missteps that can complicate a claim.

Step 7: Contact an Indiana Car Accident Attorney Early

Speaking with an attorney in the first 72 hours — or as soon as possible after seeking medical care — can make a meaningful difference. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help preserve critical evidence, communicate directly with insurance companies on your behalf, and evaluate how fault is likely to be assessed.

While not every accident requires legal representation, there are several situations where consulting an attorney is often advisable:

• You suffered injuries that required medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing care.

• The other driver disputes fault or the insurance company is attempting to place partial blame on you.

• The insurance settlement offer does not appear to cover your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, or pain and suffering.

• The accident involved a fatality or catastrophic injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or permanent disability.

• Multiple vehicles, commercial vehicles, government vehicles, or uninsured/underinsured motorists were involved.

• You are unable to work because of your injuries or expect long-term impacts on your earning capacity.

• The insurance company is delaying, denying, or minimizing your claim

This is especially important in Indiana, which uses a modified comparative fault system. Under that framework, an injured person's recovery can be reduced in proportion to their share of fault and is barred entirely if they are found to be 51% or more responsible for the crash. Early legal guidance helps ensure that the record being built reflects an accurate picture of what happened.

Were you or someone you know injured in an Indiana car accident? The attorneys at Church Church Hittle + Antrim handle personal injury claims across Indiana.

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This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results vary depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact an attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation.