It's been a day (or three) — you're not behind
The crash already
happened. Start here.
Most advice assumes you're still standing at the scene. You're not — you're on the couch, the adrenaline wore off, and the phone is about to start ringing. Here's what still matters, in order.
Still recoverable — do these first.
Photograph everything — today counts too.
Full walk-around of your car in daylight: every corner, close-ups of the damage, the odometer, and the interior if anything moved or broke. If you can safely swing by the scene, grab the intersection, skid marks, and any camera-looking buildings. Late photos beat no photos.
Round up what you have on the other driver.
Name, phone, plate, insurance card photo — whatever you got. Missing their insurance info? Their plate number is often enough for your insurer to track down the carrier. Write down your own memory of what happened NOW, while it's fresh — one paragraph, with times.
Witnesses and cameras fade fast.
Anyone who saw it and gave you a number — text them today and ask them to reply with what they saw (that text is now written evidence). Nearby businesses often keep camera footage only 3–7 days, so if the fault story is disputed, ask them this week, politely, in person.
Feeling sore? Urgent care today, not Friday.
Crash soreness famously shows up on day two or three — get checked because it's real and worth taking seriously. A side benefit: the visit creates a medical record, and undocumented pain is much harder to establish later. (I'm an estimator, not a doctor. See one.)
The one real deadline
California's 10-day rule (SR-1)
If anyone was hurt — even a little — or the damage looks like more than $1,000 (which is almost any visible dent these days), California requires you to file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 daysof the crash. It's separate from the police report and separate from your insurance claim, it takes about ten minutes online at dmv.ca.gov, and skipping it can put your license at risk. Your insurer or agent can help — but the legal duty is yours.
“But I never got a police report…” In LA that's normal. For fender-benders with no injuries, LAPD typically doesn't come out or write a report — claims get handled on photos and statements every day. Injury or hit-and-run? Different story: report it to the police (LAPD, or CHP if it happened on a freeway) as soon as possible.
The calls are coming.
Here's your script.
Two different callers, two completely different rules. Screenshot these.
When YOUR insurer calls
You have a duty to cooperate with your own company — so take the call, be honest, and stick to plain facts.
- ✓ “I was stopped, I was hit from behind, here's where the damage is.” Facts you know.
- ✓ “I don't know” is a complete answer. Never guess speeds or distances.
- ✓ “Can I call you back at 5?” — scheduling the call is allowed. Caught off guard is how mistakes happen.
- ✗ Don't say “I'm fine” unless a doctor said so. “I'm getting checked out” is the honest version.
When THEIR insurer calls
You have no contract with them and owe them almost nothing. One polite sentence ends the call:
“Please handle everything through my insurance company. I'm not giving a recorded statement.”
That's it. Repeat it as needed, stay friendly, hang up happy. You're not required to give them a recorded statement, and recorded words can be interpreted against you later — decline politely and keep everything in writing.
(Only carry liability and claiming directly against their insurer? You'll still need to share the basic facts — do it in writing, and you can still decline the recorded statement.)
Caught up. Now let's get ahead.
Ballpark the damage in 30 seconds, check the total-loss math, or just tell me what happened and I'll text you a game plan. All free.
Educational info from a working estimator — not legal or insurance advice. Injuries beyond soreness? Talk to a doctor first and consider an attorney early.