Checklist: What to Do in the First 72 Hours After a Tempe Crash

There’s no playbook for what happens in those first few hours after a crash—until now.

Whether you were T-boned at Rural and University, clipped in a Meyer Park alley, or rear-ended coming off the 60, the 72 hours after your crash in Tempe will be some of the most legally and medically important hours of your case.

Why? Because everything you do—or don’t do—can affect your physical recovery, your claim value, and your long-term peace of mind.

This isn’t just a checklist. It’s a survival plan.
And if you’re reading this right after a crash, the best first move you can make is talking to a Tempe car accident lawyer who’s already walked hundreds of clients through their first 72 hours.

Hour 1: Secure the Scene and Get Medical Help

You’re shaken. Maybe bleeding. Maybe the car’s totaled. It’s hard to think straight, but what you do in the first hour matters.

Call 911. Even if you think the injuries are minor, you’ll need a police report—and so will your future claim.

If you’re in North Tempe, Meyer Park, or Holdeman, emergency response times can vary. Do not assume the other driver will “handle it later.” Without a police report, the insurance company may treat your story as hearsay.

Even if you feel “fine,” get evaluated by EMTs. Adrenaline hides symptoms of concussions, whiplash, or spinal trauma. And if you ever need to file a claim for traumatic brain injury or paralysis, those early records are critical.

Hour 2–6: Document Everything

After you've been seen by medical personnel and the immediate danger has passed, start gathering evidence.

Take clear photos of:

• All vehicle damage (close-up and wide)

• Any visible injuries

• Road conditions, signage, skid marks

• The other car’s plate and VIN

Get the other driver’s insurance info, license number, and registration. If they refuse, let the officer know.

If you were in a rideshare or the other driver fled the scene, this gets more complex. A Tempe rideshare accident attorney or hit-and-run lawyer can help preserve app records or initiate investigations.

Don’t post anything about the crash on social media. Just don’t. Even a “grateful to be alive” post has been used against victims in Arizona courts. For a full list of what to avoid, visit azcourts.gov.

Hour 6–24: Seek Care—Even If You Already Saw EMTs

Go to urgent care or your primary doctor. Get a follow-up exam. Mention every symptom, even if it seems small. Back tightness, headaches, numbness, fogginess—they all matter.

This isn’t about overreacting. It’s about documenting the progression of injuries that may not show up right away. A Tempe distracted driver lawyer can show you exactly how this data influences settlement amounts.

Keep copies of every intake form, prescription, scan order, and diagnosis.

If you don’t have insurance or don’t know where to go, az.gov has listings for low-cost medical clinics—and our local legal partners can often help you get medical treatment on a lien, so you don’t pay out of pocket upfront.

Hour 24–48: Notify Your Insurance (But Be Careful)

You’ll need to tell your insurer about the crash, but you do not have to give a recorded statement yet. Stick to the basics:

• Time and location of the crash

• That a police report was filed

• That you are seeking medical treatment

• That you will follow up with documentation

Do not speculate about fault or injuries. That comes later—after your attorney reviews everything.

If you were hit by an uninsured driver, your own policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may kick in—but it’s still adversarial. Your carrier becomes the one trying to minimize the payout.

That’s why speaking with a Tempe injury attorney within the first 48 hours is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Hour 48–72: Call a Lawyer and Start a Paper Trail

By now, the shock is wearing off—and the real pain might be setting in. You might have a brace, a rental car, and a folder of paperwork you don’t understand.

This is where most people go quiet.
They wait. They assume the insurance company will "do the right thing."

That delay? It’s often the most expensive mistake they make.

The sooner you have legal guidance, the sooner someone starts protecting your time, your money, and your recovery.

If you were hit by a drunk driver, for example, you may be eligible for punitive damages—but only if it’s documented and filed correctly. A Tempe DUI accident lawyer knows what to do with the blood test results, police records, and criminal case files.

And if your crash happened on a weekend or holiday, or in a neighborhood like Escalante or Holdeman where emergency access can be delayed, it becomes even more important to get documentation in early.

Our Tempe legal resources page has forms, deadlines, and guidance you can use starting today—even if you’re not ready to hire anyone yet.

Why the 72-Hour Window Matters

Here’s what gets decided (or destroyed) in the first three days after a crash:

• Medical credibility: Did you seek treatment right away, or did you wait too long to tie injuries to the crash?

• Fault analysis: Did you get a police report? Photos? Witness statements?

• Insurance leverage: Did you accidentally admit fault, delay treatment, or undersell your symptoms?

• Legal eligibility: Are you still within timelines to claim lost wages, pain and suffering, or future treatment costs?

And if the crash involves a pedestrian, child, rideshare driver, or government vehicle? Those timelines shrink fast.

If you’re unsure about what to say, who to call, or how to document what’s happened so far, just talk to a Tempe accident attorney who’s handled cases like yours every day.

We’ve walked this path before—and we can help you through the next steps.