Notify your insurance provider as soon as reasonably possible, typically within 24-48 hours. Provide them with the basic facts, the information you collected, and the police report number if applicable. Do not give a recorded statement without understanding your policy or potentially consulting an advisor. Your contract requires prompt reporting, but you are not obligated to speculate or accept blame.

Comparative fault means your compensation can be reduced if you are found partly responsible for your own accident. For example, if you were distracted by your phone in a well-lit area with a visible warning sign, a court might assign you a percentage of fault. If you are deemed 30% at fault, your total compensation would be reduced by 30%. In some states, being more than 50% at fault can bar any recovery.

Exchanging information with all parties is critical because it protects your right to file a claim and establishes the facts while memories are fresh. If you only get information from one driver, you have no way to contact others for their account or to pursue their insurance company if they are at fault. This exchange creates the initial, neutral record. Failing to do this can severely complicate or even invalidate your claim later, as you may have no proof of who was involved or how to reach them.