The First 72 Hours After a Car Accident

The first 72 hours after a car accident are a lot to hold. Your body is processing shock, your mind is replaying the collision, and there is a long list of things people will tell you need to happen. This guide helps you focus on what actually matters, in order.

Day one: safety, medical care, and notification

If you have not already seen a doctor, do it today. Even if you feel functional, a same-day or next-day medical visit creates a record that anchors your symptoms to the accident. Tell the doctor you were in a collision. Describe everything you are feeling, including things that seem minor.

Notify your insurance company. In Ontario, you are required to notify your own insurer as soon as reasonably possible, and the clock on your accident benefits application starts from the date of the accident. A quick phone call today is better than explaining a delay later.

If there was a police report, request a copy or note the report number. You will need it.

What to gather and record

While the accident is still clear in your memory, write down:

• Exactly where and when it happened
• What the road and weather conditions were like
• What you remember about the impact — the direction, the speed, the sequence
• Any symptoms you noticed at the scene or in the hours after
• The names of anyone you spoke to, including police officers, witnesses, and the other driver

Memory degrades quickly after trauma. What you record today is more accurate than what you will remember in two weeks.

What not to do in the first 72 hours

Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer without understanding what you are agreeing to. Your own insurer requires your cooperation. The other driver's insurer does not have the same relationship with you, and a recorded statement given while you are still in shock can be used to limit your claim.

Do not post about the accident on social media. Anything you share publicly can be accessed and used in claims or legal proceedings. This includes photos, descriptions of how you feel, and comments about what happened.

Do not assume you are fine. Many of the most common accident injuries develop over the first 48 to 72 hours. Give yourself permission to pay attention to how you feel and to seek care if something changes.

Day two and three: follow up and begin your record

Follow your doctor's advice. If they referred you for imaging or a follow-up visit, prioritize it.

Begin a daily record of your symptoms. Even a few lines each day, noting pain levels, sleep quality, what you were unable to do, and how you felt emotionally, creates a picture of your recovery that no one can take from you later.

Keep every receipt related to the accident: prescriptions, medical visits, transportation to appointments, any assistive devices. These expenses may be reimbursable.

The first 72 hours are the foundation. What you document now protects what comes next.

Many people find it helpful to have a structured place to keep all of this. The Hurt Square Recovery Workbook was built for exactly these early days, with space to document the accident, your symptoms, and your first medical visits, all in one organized place.