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The harsh reality is that auto accidents happen all the time in Washington. According to data
from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), there were 82,152 total car
crashes in Washington in 2021. Five hundred and seventy-five of these accidents were fatal.
Given the common occurrence of Washington car collisions, it is important for drivers to know
what they should immediately do post-accident.

Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured. If it’s safe to do
so, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further accidents and turn on your hazard
lights.
Get medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem. Many injuries are
not immediately apparent. Accident victims should seek care from:
-An emergency department,
-A primary care physician, or
-An urgent care center.

Exchange Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. At
a minimum, collect:
-Names of the people involved,
-Phone numbers,
-Addresses,
-Driver’s license numbers, and
-Insurance details.

Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
Make sure you take photos and/or videos of the accident scene, including damage to vehicles,
license plates, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs or signals.
Try to also gather the names and contact information of any people that witnessed the accident.
Be polite and respectful in doing so. You never know if you may have to contact these parties to
assist in a future injury claim or lawsuit.
If you had to leave the scene to secure medical attention, return to the scene as soon as your
health permits and gather whatever evidence remains. You can even have a friend or family
member visit the scene for you.

Contact the Police and Your Insurance Company
If there are injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage in your car accident, call the police
and report the accident. Make sure to cooperate with law enforcement when they arrive,
providing accurate information about the incident.
Further, notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, even if you were
not at fault. Almost every insurance policy has a “Notice of Occurrence and Cooperation” clause.
The clause means you agree to tell your insurance company when you are in an accident, and
you agree to cooperate with your insurance company’s accident investigation. Notifying your
insurer will help ensure you comply with this clause.

Consult an Attorney
If you or others were injured in a car accident, you should consult a personal injury attorney for
legal guidance. An injury attorney can file personal injury claims with insurers and negotiate
these claims on your behalf. If a claim does not produce a favorable settlement, an experienced
attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit to help you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Questions?
Contact Nelson Injury Law for Help!
If you were injured in an accident, let us shoulder the burden of your case. Your focus should be
on healing from your injuries. The skilled injury attorneys at Nelson Injury Law are here to help.
Please contact us now for a free consultation.
Eric S. Nelson, owner of Nelson Injury Law, is an experienced trial attorney who will provide
you with wise and compassionate legal counsel and representation through each stage of your
case. Remember, you pay nothing if we do not win your case.