--- title: "What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide | Complete Injury Care" description: "Car accidents can be overwhelming and stressful. In the moment, it's hard to know what to do. But knowing the right steps to take can protect your health, your rights, and your future." lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide", "description": "Car accidents can be overwhelming and stressful. In the moment, it's hard to know what to do. But knowing the right steps to take can protect your health, your rights, and your future.", "image": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1543393716-375fd024a7a2?w=800&q=80", "datePublished": "January 28, 2026", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Brian Malloy", "jobTitle": "Doctor of Chiropractic" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Complete Injury Care", "url": "https://completeinjurycare.net" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://completeinjurycare.net/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-a-step-by-step-guide" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ ".prose h2", ".prose p:first-of-type" ] } } --- [570-622-0809 ](tel:570-622-0809)[cicpottsville@gmail.com ](mailto:cicpottsville@gmail.com) Pottsville, PA [](https://www.facebook.com/CompleteInjuryCarePottsville)[](https://www.instagram.com/completeinjurycare/) [![Complete Injury Care](/assets/logo-DLAfhj2Y.png)Veteran Owned ](/) [Home](/)Services[How It Works](/#process)[About](/about)[FAQ](/#faq)[Blog](/blog)[Contact](/contact) [Book Appointment](/#appointment-form) [Home](/)[Blog](/blog)What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide # What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide Car Accidents January 28, 2026 ![Car accident scene](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1543393716-375fd024a7a2?w=800&q=80) Car accidents can be overwhelming and stressful. In the moment, it's hard to know what to do. But knowing the right steps to take can protect your health, your rights, and your future. Whether it's a minor fender bender or a serious collision, the steps you take immediately after an accident can make a big difference. Here's what you need to know to handle the situation properly. [Explore Our Services](/services) ## Step 1: Check for Injuries The first priority after any accident is safety. Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Don't try to move injured people unless they're in immediate danger. Even if you feel fine, remember that some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, might not show symptoms right away. It's always best to get checked by a medical professional. ## Step 2: Move to Safety If possible, move vehicles to the side of the road to prevent further accidents. Turn on hazard lights and set up emergency triangles if you have them. If the cars can't be moved, stay in the vehicle with seatbelts fastened until help arrives. ## Step 3: Call the Police Even for minor accidents, it's important to call the police. They'll create an official report that can be crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Be honest about what happened, but avoid admitting fault or blaming others. ## Step 4: Document the Scene Take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Get contact and insurance information from all drivers involved, as well as contact information from witnesses. Write down the time, location, weather conditions, and any other relevant details about the accident. This documentation can be invaluable later on. ## Step 5: Seek Medical Attention Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries take time to show symptoms, and early treatment can prevent complications. Keep all medical records and follow your doctor's treatment plan. ## Step 6: Contact Your Insurance Company Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with all the information you've gathered, but be careful about what you say. Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about fault or injuries. ## Step 7: Follow Up on Treatment If you've been injured, follow through with all recommended medical treatment. This might include chiropractic care, physical therapy, or other treatments. Don't skip appointments, as this can affect both your recovery and any potential legal claims. ## Conclusion Being in a car accident is never pleasant, but knowing what to do can make the experience less stressful and protect your interests. Stay calm, follow these steps, and don't hesitate to seek professional help when needed. [Book Appointment](/#appointment-form) ![Dr. Brian Malloy, Doctor of Chiropractic at Complete Injury Care](/__l5e/assets-v1/e132d872-68c0-46a4-bab6-373130f97df0/brian_mally_headshot.webp) About the Author ## Dr. Brian Malloy Dr. Brian Malloy is a Doctor of Chiropractic and US Marine Corps veteran with 8 years of military service. He holds a Bachelor's in Exercise Science from Shippensburg University and a Doctorate in Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College. Dr. Malloy completed a competitive internship at the Miami Veterans Hospital working alongside surgeons and physical therapists in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He now serves patients at Complete Injury Care in Pottsville PA, delivering expert chiropractic care with a focus on treatment, education, and long term recovery. [Back to Blog](/blog) ### Recent Posts [![Patient receiving spinal decompression therapy on a traction table at a Pottsville, PA chiropractic clinic](/assets/blog-spinal-decompression-help-hero-C3vutmZJ.jpg) #### How Spinal Decompression Can Help with Discs, Stenosis, Sciatica, & More August 20, 2026 ](/how-spinal-decompression-can-help-with-discs-stenosis-sciatica-and-more)[![Man holding his neck in pain after a car accident in Pottsville, PA](/__l5e/assets-v1/f3fe061a-2d24-4867-b3a0-7ea7d4393e2f/blog-car-accident-chiropractor-hero.png) #### What Should You Consider When Looking for the Best Car Accident Chiropractor? August 13, 2026 ](/what-should-you-consider-when-looking-for-the-best-car-accident-chiropractor)[![Massage therapist performing therapeutic neck and shoulder massage on an accident injury patient in a Pottsville, PA clinic](/assets/blog-accident-massage-hero-COh_rBXZ.jpg) #### How to Achieve Relief from Accident Injury Through Massage Therapy? August 5, 2026 ](/how-to-achieve-relief-from-accident-injury-through-massage-therapy)[![Licensed massage therapist performing therapeutic massage on a patient's upper back in a modern Pottsville, PA clinic](/assets/blog-massage-longterm-pain-hero-DAN5kgsa.jpg) #### Why Is Massage Therapy in Pottsville the Key to Long-Term Pain Management? July 29, 2026 ](/why-is-massage-therapy-in-pottsville-the-key-to-long-term-pain-management)[![Practitioner performing cupping therapy on a patient's upper back and shoulders in a bright modern Pottsville, PA clinic](/assets/blog-cupping-support-healing-hero-DlszK2K_.jpg) #### How Does Hijama and Cupping Therapy in Pottsville Support Faster Healing? July 23, 2026 ](/how-does-hijama-and-cupping-therapy-in-pottsville-support-faster-healing) ### Need Treatment? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Brian today. [Book Appointment](/#appointment-form) Complete Injury Care Veteran-Owned. Your trusted chiropractor in Pottsville, PA. 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