When a crash happens, the first day is everything. What you do in the next 24 hours can protect your health, your finances, and your legal rights. This step-by-step checklist walks you through it—so you know exactly what to do and what to avoid.
1) Move to safety and call 911
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If you can, move vehicles out of traffic and turn on hazards.
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Call 911 to request police and medical help. A police report anchors the timeline and details—crucial for insurance claims handled by a Waterloo car accident lawyer or Waterloo insurance attorney later.
Avoid: Apologizing or speculating about fault at the scene. Keep statements factual (“I was traveling east at ~30 mph when I was hit from behind.”).
2) Check for injuries and accept medical care
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Let EMTs evaluate you. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries (concussion, internal bleeding, soft-tissue damage).
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If you’re not transported, go to urgent care or your doctor the same day. Gaps in treatment are the #1 reason insurers discount claims.
Tip: Keep every discharge note, imaging order, and pharmacy receipt. These help a Waterloo personal injury lawyer document damages quickly.
3) Gather evidence (when it’s safe)
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Photos/videos: vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, deployed airbags, road conditions, signage, and your visible injuries.
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Witnesses: get names/phones/emails; record quick voice notes if they’ll allow.
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Other driver: name, license, plate, insurer, policy #. Photograph their card and driver’s license.
Bonus: If a commercial truck is involved, note the DOT number, trailer number, and any company markings (useful if you later consult an Iowa personal injury attorney experienced in trucking cases).
4) Get the official report number
Ask the officer how to obtain the crash report and the report number. Your Waterloo insurance claim lawyer will want it immediately to open or challenge a claim.
5) Notify your insurer—but keep it minimal
Report the crash to your insurer within 24 hours. Provide facts only:
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Date, time, location
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Vehicles involved
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Police report number
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before speaking with a Waterloo car accident attorney. Adjusters are trained to lock you into early, incomplete narratives.
6) Start a “recovery file” on day one
Create a simple folder (digital or paper) with:
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Medical records and bills
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Time-off logs and wage documentation
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Tow/repair estimates, rental receipts
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Photos and videos (label by date)
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A daily pain/symptom journal (2–5 lines/day is enough)
This file helps a Waterloo insurance lawyer or Iowa bad faith insurance lawyer prove what you lost—and when.
7) Get your car assessed the right way
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Photograph your car thoroughly before repair.
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Ask about OEM vs. aftermarket parts and whether your policy allows them.
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Consider a diminished-value claim if your vehicle is newer; a Waterloo insurance dispute attorney can advise on whether it’s worth pursuing.
8) Mind your doctor’s orders (and document it)
Follow the treatment plan, attend appointments, and do home exercises. Insurers watch for “noncompliance” to argue you aren’t hurt. If you can’t make an appointment, reschedule (don’t skip).
9) Stay off social media about the crash
Innocent posts can be twisted against you. Set profiles to private and don’t discuss injuries, activities, or the accident online until your case is resolved.
10) Talk to a local attorney early
A short consultation with a Waterloo personal injury attorney can keep you from costly missteps (like quick lowball settlements or harmful recorded statements). Early legal help also matters if your case overlaps with workplace injuries or disability.
When the crash is work-related
If you were on the job (delivery driver, construction, sales, health aide, etc.), you may have two cases: a personal-injury claim against the at-fault driver and a workers’ compensation claim for wage and medical benefits.
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Report the injury to your employer immediately and complete required forms.
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See the doctor your employer/insurer directs—and tell every provider this was a work injury.
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Keep copies of work restrictions and off-work notes.
Questions about benefits or a denied claim? A Waterloo workers compensation lawyer or Waterloo workers comp attorney can help protect your checks and medical treatment. If you live or work in nearby communities, we also assist as a Jesup workers compensation lawyer, Independence workers comp attorney, and across Northeast Iowa.
Insurance basics in the first 24 hours
- MedPay (if on your policy) can cover early medical bills regardless of fault.
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UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured) helps if the other driver has little or no coverage—ask a Waterloo insurance attorney to review your policy.
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Bad faith: If an Iowa insurer delays, denies without reason, or lowballs unreasonably, speak with an Iowa bad faith insurance lawyer about your options.
Special note on serious injuries & disability
If your injuries may keep you out of work long-term, consult early with a Waterloo social security disability lawyer or Waterloo disability attorney. Proper documentation from day one strengthens future SSD claims. We also guide clients as an Independence social security disability lawyer and throughout Northeast Iowa.
What if bills are piling up?
Crashes can trigger cascading debt—medical bills, missed work, car loans, credit cards. If debt becomes unmanageable, a confidential conversation with a Waterloo bankruptcy lawyer or Waterloo bankruptcy attorney can clarify options. We advise families in Jesup (as a Jesup bankruptcy attorney) and Independence as well.
Quick 10-Step Checklist (print or screenshot)
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Move to safety; call 911.
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Accept medical evaluation.
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Photograph vehicles, scene, and injuries.
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Get witness info and the other driver’s insurance.
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Ask for the police report number.
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Notify your insurer (facts only).
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Start a recovery file & pain journal.
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Schedule same-day or next-day medical follow-up.
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Avoid social media about the crash.
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Call a Waterloo car accident lawyer for guidance before recorded statements.
Why local experience matters
Northeast Iowa roads, intersections, traffic patterns, and insurers are familiar territory for us. Whether you need a Waterloo work injury lawyer after a company-vehicle crash, a Jesup car accident lawyer for a rural highway collision, or an Independence personal injury attorney after a T-bone at a busy intersection, local insight helps your claim move faster and smarter.
Free case review—talk to us today
If you were hurt in a crash—on or off the job—Pieters Law Offices can help you protect your health, your income, and your claim from day one. Call us or contact us through our website for a free, no-pressure consultation with a Waterloo personal injury attorney.
