First 24 Hours After a Car Accident: Key Steps and Common Mistakes

Patterson Bray PLLC, a Brentwood-based law firm representing injury victims throughout Middle Tennessee, emphasizes the critical importance of the first 24 hours after a car accident. Summer brings a noticeable uptick in crashes across the region due to vacation traffic, road construction, and out-of-town drivers. Even cautious drivers can find themselves in a collision, so knowing how to respond is essential. The first priority is safety: move to a secure location, call 911, and seek medical attention even if uninjured, as adrenaline can mask symptoms like whiplash or concussions. Prompt medical care also establishes a record linking injuries to the accident.

Chris Patterson, Managing Partner, notes common mistakes: skipping the ER, telling the insurance adjuster too much, or waiting too long to call a lawyer. Drivers should gather documentation—photographs of vehicles, the scene, and injuries—and exchange insurance information. Filing a police report is crucial even for minor collisions. A major misstep occurs when an insurance adjuster asks for a statement; adjusters may seem helpful but work to limit their company's exposure. Giving a recorded statement before understanding rights can weaken a claim.

Calling an attorney within 24 hours is as important as calling a doctor. Tennessee enforces a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, and evidence can disappear quickly. Patterson Bray PLLC offers free consultations to those injured in a Brentwood-area crash. The firm's attorneys step in early to preserve evidence, deal with insurance carriers, and handle the legal load so clients can focus on healing. The firm, with offices in Memphis and Brentwood, handles personal injury, business litigation, estate planning, and more. With over 20 years of experience, their Brentwood car accident lawyers help families recover compensation. To explore options, request a free case evaluation.