1. What should I do immediately after a car accident in Pittsburgh?
Immediately after a car accident, the first and most important priority is your health and safety, and the health and safety of everyone involved — no matter who is at fault. The safety of all parties should always come first.
Steps to take right away:
- Check for injuries to yourself, passengers, and others involved.
- Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured or if there is significant vehicle damage.
- If you are unsure whether to call the police, err on the side of contacting them. Police can:
- Document what happened for purposes of determining liability.
- Assist in assessing whether medical care is necessary.
- Move vehicles out of traffic if it is safe to do so.
- Never leave the scene until permitted by police.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with all drivers involved.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Get names and contact information of witnesses who saw the accident.
Medical follow-up:
- Even if you feel fine, see a doctor promptly. Many injuries — such as concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries — may take hours or even days to appear.
- Early evaluation helps protect both your health and your potential legal claim.
Things NOT to do:
- ❌ Don’t admit fault — even casually. Fault will be determined later based on evidence.
- ❌ Don’t threaten a lawsuit at the scene.
- ❌ Don’t fight or argue with the other driver — it can escalate the situation and harm your claim.
- ❌ Don’t lose awareness of your surroundings — stay alert to traffic, hazards, and your personal safety.
