If you’ve just been in a car accident in Washington State, you’re probably shaken up, confused, and unsure what to do next. The decisions you make in the hours and days following a crash can significantly impact both your health and your legal rights.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do — step by step.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your safety comes first. Check yourself and all passengers for injuries before anything else. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, unconscious, or in serious pain.
Even if you feel okay, call 911. A police report creates an official record of the accident that is essential for insurance claims and any future legal action. Never leave the scene of an accident without filing a report.
2. Move to Safety if Possible
If your vehicle is drivable and you are able to move safely, pull off to the side of the road or into a nearby parking lot to avoid blocking traffic. Turn on your hazard lights.
If your vehicle cannot be moved or you suspect a serious injury, stay where you are and wait for emergency services.
3. Exchange Information
Exchange the following information with all other drivers involved:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and year
If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information as well.
4. Document the Scene
Use your phone to photograph and video everything before vehicles are moved if possible:
- All vehicles involved and their positions
- Visible damage to all vehicles
- Road conditions, skid marks, and debris
- Traffic signs, signals, and lane markings
- Your own visible injuries
Thorough documentation protects you if the other driver later disputes what happened.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and open a claim. In Washington State, all drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage pays for your medical treatment regardless of who was at fault — and it covers chiropractic care.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney first.
6. Seek Medical Attention Immediately — Even if You Feel Fine
This is the most important step that accident victims skip — and it’s a costly mistake.
Adrenaline masks pain in the hours immediately following a crash. Many serious injuries — including whiplash, herniated discs, and soft tissue damage — don’t produce noticeable symptoms until 24 to 72 hours after the accident. By the time the pain hits, inflammation has already set in and recovery becomes significantly harder.
Seeing a doctor or chiropractor within 72 hours of your accident serves two critical purposes:
First, it protects your health. Early treatment reduces inflammation, prevents scar tissue formation, and leads to faster, more complete recovery.
Second, it protects your legal rights. Insurance companies use gaps in medical treatment to argue that your injuries weren’t serious — or weren’t caused by the accident. A same-day or next-day medical record establishes a clear connection between the crash and your injuries.
7. See a Chiropractor Who Specializes in Auto Accident Injuries
The emergency room treats life-threatening injuries — but they rarely address the musculoskeletal damage that causes ongoing pain after a car accident. Chiropractors who specialize in auto accident injuries provide the targeted treatment your spine and soft tissues need to heal properly.
Dr. Brian J. Bussard at Palmer Chiropractic in Kent, WA has been treating auto accident injuries for 27 years. He accepts PIP insurance directly, handles all paperwork, and offers same-day appointments for accident victims throughout Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Covington, and Maple Valley.
8. Consider Consulting a Personal Injury Attorney
If the accident was caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation beyond your PIP coverage for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. A personal injury attorney can advise you on your rights at no upfront cost — most PI attorneys work on contingency.
Dr. Bussard works alongside personal injury attorneys and provides thorough injury documentation to support your case.
9. Follow Your Treatment Plan
Consistency is critical for recovery. Attend all scheduled appointments, follow your home care instructions, and communicate any changes in your symptoms to your provider. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to minimize your claim.
10. Keep Records of Everything
From the day of the accident forward, keep organized records of:
- All medical appointments and bills
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications purchased
- Days missed from work
- How your injuries affect your daily activities
- Correspondence with insurance companies
This documentation is invaluable if your case goes to settlement or trial.
The Bottom Line
A car accident is traumatic — but the steps you take immediately afterward make an enormous difference in your recovery and your legal outcome. Don’t wait to seek treatment. Don’t skip the police report. And don’t assume you’re fine just because you feel okay right now.
If you’ve been in a car accident in the Kent, WA area, call Palmer Chiropractic today. Dr. Bussard offers same-day appointments, bills your PIP insurance directly, and has helped hundreds of accident victims recover fully and get the compensation they deserve.
Call (253) 854-7700 or book online at palmerchiropractic.com.