The Accident AdvisoryFree accident guidance
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Free accident guidance · US

Just had an accident? Take a breath — we'll walk you through it.

Clear, calm, step‑by‑step guidance for what to do now — and free, no‑obligation help finding someone in your corner if you need it.

Whatever's happened, you're in the right place.

Read the step‑by‑step guideDo I need a lawyer?
In the first few minutesStart here
  1. Check for injuries.

    Call 911 if anyone's hurt — your health comes first.

  2. Get to safety.

    Move out of traffic if you can; switch on your hazards.

  3. Photograph everything.

    Vehicles, plates, the scene, any injuries.

  4. Exchange details — don't admit fault.

    Names, insurance, contacts. Stick to the facts.

Read the full step‑by‑step guide →
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Start wherever you are

What do you need right now?

Pick whatever's closest to your situation — we'll take it from there.

I've just had a crashWhat to do at the scene, right now.→ It wasn't my faultYour rights, and what to do next.→ I think I'm injuredWhy to get checked, even if you feel okay.→ Dealing with insuranceHow to handle it — and what not to say.→ Do I need a lawyer?An honest answer — including when you don't.→
Every kind of accident

Guidance for the type of accident you've had.

The rules, the risks, and who's liable differ by accident type. Find the guidance that fits yours.

Car accidents

Rear-ends, junctions, parking knocks.

Fault & insurance →

Truck & 18-wheeler

Severe impacts, commercial insurers.

Multiple parties →

Motorcycle

Higher injury risk, unfair blame.

Your rights →

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

Driver, platform, or insurer?

Who's liable →

Commercial vehicle

Vans, fleet, work vehicles.

Employer liability →

Pedestrian

Hit while walking.

First steps →

Bicycle

Cyclist collisions and fault.

Dealing with insurers →

Not sure?

Start with the general guide.

Point me the right way →

Truck & commercial accidents

These are rarely simple. There may be several insurers, a trucking company, and federal safety rules in play — and the injuries are often serious. Knowing who's responsible early matters more here than almost anywhere.

Read the truck accident guide →

Rideshare accidents (Uber & Lyft)

Whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, who pays depends on exactly what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment of the crash. We explain how that works in plain English.

Read the rideshare guide →
Protect yourself

Common mistakes to avoid after an accident.

Small things in the first days can quietly weaken your claim. Here's what to watch for.

01

Admitting fault

A reflexive "sorry" at the scene can be used against you later. Stick to facts.

02

Skipping the doctor

Some injuries appear days later. No record can mean no claim.

03

No photos or details

Evidence fades fast. Capture the scene, vehicles, and witnesses now.

04

Accepting the first offer

Early insurer offers are often low. You don't have to decide on the spot.

05

Posting on social media

Photos and updates can be taken out of context. Keep it offline for now.

A professional talking calmly with a client
What it's actually like

A conversation, not a sales pitch.

If it makes sense to talk to someone, here's what that looks like — calm, in plain English, and entirely up to you.

  • Someone who listens first and explains your options clearly
  • No jargon, no pressure, and no obligation to go further
  • Honest guidance — including if you don't need a lawyer at all
  • Free and confidential, in your own time
Demystifying it

How an injury claim actually works.

It sounds daunting, but most claims follow the same four steps. Here's the whole thing, start to finish.

  1. Get checked and gather evidence

    See a doctor, keep records, and hold on to photos and details from the scene.

  2. Understand your position

    Who was at fault, what your state's rules are, and what your claim may involve.

  3. The claim is made

    Your case is put to the at-fault driver's insurer, backed by your evidence.

  4. Resolution

    Most claims settle. A specialist handles the negotiation so you don't have to.

Two people reviewing documents together at a desk
Our guides

Plain‑English answers, when you need them most.

After an accident

What to do right now

At the scene, what to photograph, and the things people say that quietly hurt their claim.

  • At the scene
  • The first 48 hours
  • Common mistakes
Your options

Do I need a lawyer?

An honest answer — including the situations where you genuinely don't.

  • Minor accidents
  • If you weren't at fault
  • When it gets complicated
Claims & deadlines

How long do I have?

Filing deadlines and how claims actually work — including rules that change by state.

  • Filing deadlines
  • Statute of limitations
  • Diminished value
More than the claim

An accident affects more than your car. We'll help with the whole of it.

Safety

Staying safe at the scene, and in the hours after.

Medical & recovery

Why some injuries show up days later — and getting checked.

Insurance

Handling your insurer, and what reporting really means.

Emotional wellbeing

It's normal to feel shaken. When it helps to talk to someone.

Money & work

Lost earnings, time off, and the costs that add up.

Rules where you are

Every state has its own deadline. Know yours.

How long you have to make a claim, and the fault rules that apply, depend on your state — and missing the deadline can mean losing the right to claim entirely. Choose your state to see what applies.

See my state's rules
Why it matters

Deadlines (the "statute of limitations") range from one to several years depending on the state and the type of claim. Fault rules differ too — in some states, being even partly at fault changes what you can recover. We keep this current and cite the law.

You don't have to work this out on your own.

Talk to someone who can help you understand your options — free, confidential, and with no obligation to go any further.

Read the step‑by‑step guide
An honest take

When it's worth talking to someone

Plenty of people handle a minor accident on their own — and that's completely fine. It's worth talking to someone when:

  • You've been injured, even mildly
  • The accident wasn't your fault
  • The other driver disputes it, or is uninsured
  • Your claim is getting complicated or feels unfair

Sound like you?

We'll help you find the right person to talk to — free, and with no obligation to go any further.

See if you need a lawyer
How we help

Plain guidance first. Pressure never.

01

Tell us what happened

A few quick questions in plain language. No jargon, no hard sell.

02

We look at your situation

Fault, timing, injuries, and the rules in your state — what actually matters.

03

We connect you with the right help

If it makes sense, with a specialist who can protect your claim. You're never obligated.

The Accident Advisory is free to use. We're an independent guidance service, supported by the attorneys we connect people with — but you're under no obligation to choose any of them, and we'll always tell you honestly when you may not need one.
Common questions

The things people ask us most.

Is this really free?
Yes. Our guidance and your case review are completely free, with no hidden fees and no obligation to go any further. If you choose to work with an attorney we connect you with, they typically work on a no-fee-unless-you-win basis — they'll explain their terms directly.
How do I know if I have a case?
That's exactly what a free case review is for. We look at the basics — whether you were injured, who was at fault, how recently it happened, and your state's rules — and give you an honest read, including telling you if you probably don't need to take it further.
Will someone call me straight away?
Only if you ask us to. You're in control of how and when you're contacted, and you can simply read the guides without ever filling in a form.
Do I have to use a lawyer you suggest?
No, never. We're independent and impartial. If we connect you with a specialist, it's your choice entirely whether to go ahead — there's no obligation and no pressure.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Anything you share is treated as confidential and only used to help with your situation. You can read our privacy policy for the full detail.
Guidance you can trust

Reviewed by people who know the law.

Every guide is checked against current state law and cites its sources, so what you're reading is accurate at the moment you need it most. No guarantees, no hype — just clear answers about your options.

Legal professionals reviewing information together
JR
Reviewed for accuracy
Legal reviewer · updated this month
§
Cites real state law
Statutes & deadlines linked on every page
✓
Not a law firm
A free guidance service — independent and impartial

Not sure what to do next?

We'll help you understand your options and, if it makes sense, connect you with someone who can protect what you're owed.

Read the step‑by‑step guide

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