A car crash can change your life in a matter of seconds. One moment you are driving home from work, and the next you are standing on the shoulder of a Portland road, heart pounding, trying to make sense of what just happened. At our firm, we believe the first priority after any serious collision is helping injured people regain the best life they can. But the reality is that the decisions you make in the first three days also shape your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies begin building their case within hours of a collision. They have adjusters, defense doctors, and claims software designed to pay you as little as possible. This guide walks you through what to do in the first 72 hours after a motor vehicle accident, so that you can protect your health and your legal rights from the beginning.
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The First Minutes: At the Scene of the Accident
What you do at the scene of the accident sets the foundation for everything that follows. If you are physically able, take these steps.
Check for injuries and call 911. If anyone is hurt, request medical help immediately. Even a low-speed collision can cause a concussion, a spinal injury, or internal damage that is not obvious at the moment. When emergency responders arrive, accept an evaluation and do not downplay your symptoms.
Get a police report. In Oregon, law enforcement should be notified of any serious crash, and the responding officer will document the collision. A police report creates an official record of what happened, who was present, and the initial assessment of fault. If police do not come to the scene, Oregon law may still require you to file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report with the DMV.
Exchange information, but keep it simple. Collect the other driver's name, license number, phone numbers, and insurance information. Note the vehicle's make, model, license plate, and the contact information for any witnesses. Do not apologize or admit fault, even casually.
Document everything. Use your phone to photograph the vehicles, the property damage, the road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and your visible injuries. Capture wide shots that show the position of the vehicles and close-up shots of the damage. If you were involved in a car accident with a commercial truck, photograph the company name and any identifying numbers on the vehicle, because those cases involve additional layers of liability.
Read More from DeShaw Law: Portland Personal Injury Lawyer Explains What to Do After a Serious Accident
Talk to a Portland car accident lawyer as soon as you’re able. Call us at (503) 227-1233 for your free consultation.
The First 24 Hours: Seek Medical Treatment and Notify Your Insurer
Once you are away from the scene, the next day is about protecting your health and starting your paper trail on the right foot.
See a doctor, even if you feel fine. Many people walk away from a car crash feeling shaken but uninjured, only to develop serious symptoms days later. Traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and soft tissue damage often do not appear right away. Prompt medical treatment protects your health, and connects your injuries to the collision. Gaps in treatment are one of the first things insurers use to argue that you were not as hurt as you say you were.
Notify your own insurance company. Most policies require you to report a collision promptly. When you contact your insurer, stick to the basic facts: the date, the location, and the vehicles involved. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and you should be cautious before doing so. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Keep every record. Save your medical bills, discharge paperwork, prescriptions, and receipts for any out-of-pocket costs. Start a simple journal describing your pain levels, missed work, and how the injuries affect your daily life. These details support the full value of your case when it is time to file a claim.
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Need an attorney? Speak to a Portland car accident attorney at DeShaw Law.
Do I Need a Portland Car Accident Lawyer?
Not every fender bender requires an attorney. However, if you were injured, if fault is disputed, or if the insurance company is dragging its feet or offering less than your claim is worth, you should always consult with an attorney to make sure you receive every penny owed to you.
Insurance adjusters’ goal is to pay you as little as possible. A Portland car accident attorney levels the playing field, handling the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations so you can focus on recovering. Most people significantly underestimate the full value of their claim, including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
If you are facing serious injuries, a permanent disability, or the loss of a loved one, having an experienced advocate is critical. At DeShaw Law, consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case, so you can get a clear, honest read on whether you need representation before committing to anything. Call us today for more information.
24 to 72 Hours: Protect Your Claim and Watch for Insurance Tactics
By the second and third day, the insurance companies are already at work. This is the window where a strong start can be quietly undermined if you are not careful.
Expect a call from the other driver's insurer. An adjuster may reach out within a day or two sounding friendly and eager to help. Their job, however, is to protect the insurance company's money, not yours. They may ask for a recorded statement, push you to accept a fast settlement, or request a signed authorization for your entire medical history. You are under no obligation to agree to any of this so early. Quick settlement offers are often a fraction of what a claim is truly worth, and once you sign a release, you generally cannot reopen the matter.
Continue your medical treatment as directed. Attend every follow-up appointment and follow your provider's recommendations. Consistent care strengthens both your recovery and your personal injury case. If a doctor refers you to a specialist, go.
Organize your documentation. Gather the police report, your photos, your medical records, and your notes in one place. Having your insurance claims file organized makes it far easier for a lawyer to evaluate your situation and act quickly.
Consider speaking with a lawyer. You do not have to wait until you are deep into a dispute. Talking with a car accident lawyer early, often during a free consultation, helps you understand your rights before you make decisions that are hard to undo. This is especially important in Oregon, where the Insurance Research Council has repeatedly found that case values run lower than in neighboring states, which makes experienced representation all the more valuable.
Read More from DeShaw Law: What To Do When Your Car Insurance Company Refuses to Pay
Understand your legal options before you speak with insurers. Call us at (503) 227-1233 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.
Why the First 72 Hours Matter So Much
Every car accident claim is built on evidence, and evidence disappears fast. Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired, witnesses forget details, and surveillance footage is often overwritten within days. The steps you take in the first three days preserve the proof you will need if your case becomes a personal injury lawsuit.
Just as importantly, insurers track how each case is handled from the start. A well-documented claim, backed by prompt medical treatment and a clear record, signals that you are serious about protecting your rights. That alone can influence the settlement offers you receive.
If your collision involved a drunk or drugged driver, a commercial truck, or resulted in a catastrophic injury or death, the stakes are even higher and the legal issues more complex. In those situations, the guidance of a seasoned truck accident attorney, wrongful death attorney, or brain injury lawyer can make a substantial difference in the outcome.
Read More from DeShaw Law: When to Call a Portland Personal Injury Attorney After a Crash
Contact a Portland car accident attorney for a free consultation.
How a Portland Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
At Dr. Aaron DeShaw, Esq., P.C., we take a different approach. Rather than focusing on money first, we focus on helping our clients recover and rebuild, and then we turn to obtaining full compensation for their losses. Our firm has individually and with other firms obtained more than one billion dollars in settlements and trial verdicts, including the largest personal injury verdict in Oregon history.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can handle communications with the insurance company, protect you from tactics designed to devalue your claim, investigate liability, and build the strongest possible demand for the compensation you deserve. Dr. DeShaw's decades of study into insurance company claims software mean that our demand letters are prepared specifically to address the way insurers actually evaluate a Portland car accident claim.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash anywhere in Oregon or Washington, we invite you to call our office at (503) 227-1233 for a free, no-risk consultation. The initial call and consultation with a lawyer are available to you at no cost and with no obligation to hire us.