The moments after a car accident are disorienting. Adrenaline is high, emotions are running, and it can be difficult to think clearly about what to do next. But the actions you take — or fail to take — in the first 24 hours after a collision can have a significant impact on your health, your safety, and the strength of any future legal claim.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, in the critical window following a car accident in Colorado.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your first priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. Before anything else:
- Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Do not attempt to move anyone who may have a spinal or neck injury unless they are in immediate danger.
- Call 911 immediately, even if the accident appears minor. A police report is essential documentation for any future insurance claim or lawsuit.
- If there are serious injuries, stay on the line with the dispatcher and follow their instructions until emergency responders arrive.
Do not assume you are uninjured simply because you feel okay in the moment. Adrenaline is a powerful painkiller, and many serious injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage — do not present symptoms immediately.
2. Move to Safety if Possible
If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of active traffic to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on hazard lights to warn other drivers. If vehicles cannot be moved, stay inside with seatbelts fastened until law enforcement arrives, unless the vehicle poses a fire or safety risk.
3. Document the Scene Thoroughly
Once you are safe and emergency services have been called, begin documenting everything you can while the scene is fresh:
- Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, capturing damage, final resting positions, and license plates.
- Photograph the surrounding environment — road conditions, traffic signals, signage, skid marks, debris, and weather conditions.
- Photograph your injuries as they appear at the scene, and again in the days that follow as bruising and swelling develop.
- Take video of the full accident scene if possible.
This documentation can be critical evidence if liability is disputed later.
4. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Collect the following from every driver involved:
- Full legal name
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and year
- Phone number and address
Do not skip any of these. In the confusion of an accident, people sometimes leave the scene without exchanging complete information.
5. Gather Witness Information
Independent witnesses can provide testimony that is difficult for insurance companies to dispute. If anyone stopped to observe the accident or witnessed what happened, collect:
- Full name
- Phone number
- A brief written or recorded account of what they saw, if they are willing
Witnesses often leave quickly — prioritize this step while people are still present.
6. Speak with Law Enforcement — But Be Careful What You Say
When the police arrive, cooperate fully and provide an accurate account of what happened. However, be mindful of a few things:
- Do not speculate about fault. Stick to the facts of what you observed. Statements like “I think I may have been going a little fast” can become part of the official record and affect your comparative fault percentage under Colorado law.
- Do not say you are uninjured if you are unsure. Simply state that you will be seeking medical evaluation.
- Request a copy of the accident report or ask for the report number so you can obtain it later. In Colorado, accident reports are typically available through the law enforcement agency that responded.
7. Seek Medical Attention — The Same Day
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor within 24 hours of the accident. This is one of the most important steps you can take, for two reasons:
Your health: Many serious injuries are not immediately apparent. A medical evaluation can identify injuries that might otherwise go undetected until they worsen.
Your claim: A same-day or next-day medical visit creates an official, contemporaneous record linking your injuries directly to the accident. If you wait days or weeks to seek treatment, insurance companies will argue that your injuries were not caused by the collision — or were not serious enough to require immediate attention.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan completely, attend all follow-up appointments, and keep records of every medical interaction.
8. Notify Your Insurance Company — But Don’t Over-Share
Colorado law requires you to report accidents to your insurance company in a timely manner. However, there is an important distinction between reporting an accident and providing a full recorded statement.
- Do report the basic facts: date, time, location, and the vehicles and parties involved.
- Do not provide a recorded statement, speculate about fault, describe your injuries in detail, or discuss the potential value of your claim until you have consulted with a personal injury attorney.
Insurance adjusters — including those from your own insurer — are trained to gather information that can be used to minimize your claim. You have the right to consult with an attorney before providing any detailed statement.
9. Do Not Accept Any Settlement Offer
In the hours or days following a serious accident, you may receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company offering a quick settlement. This is almost always a lowball offer designed to close your claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you permanently waive your right to seek additional compensation — even if your injuries turn out to be far more serious than they appeared in the first 24 hours.
Do not sign anything until you have consulted with a personal injury attorney.
10. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
The final step in your first 24 hours — and one of the most important — is to consult with a personal injury attorney. An experienced Colorado car accident attorney can:
- Advise you on your rights and obligations under Colorado law
- Notify you of critical deadlines (Colorado’s statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents is three years under C.R.S. § 13-80-101)
- Send a preservation letter to ensure critical evidence — including the other driver’s phone records, dashcam footage, and vehicle data — is not destroyed
- Handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf
Most personal injury consultations are free and involve no obligation. The sooner you get an attorney involved, the better protected you are.
Talk to Kim Welch Law Today
If you’ve been in a car accident in Colorado, call Kim Welch Law for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding region.
Colorado Springs and Las Vegas/Henderson, NV: (888) 590-5510 Website: www.kimwelchlaw.com
Kim Welch is a personal injury attorney serving clients in Colorado Springs, CO and Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. This blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact our office for guidance specific to your situation.