What Should I Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in Indiana?

The first 24 hours after a car accident in Indiana typically involve four phases: 0-15 minutes (safety and 911), 15-60 minutes (info exchange and photos), 1-6 hours (insurance claim and tow), and 6-24 hours (body shop estimate and medical follow-up). This article shares general guidance based on our 56 years of helping Lafayette drivers through this process. It's not legal or medical advice.

At Bob Rohrman Collision Repair Center in Lafayette, we've helped a lot of Tippecanoe County drivers through the post-accident process over the last 56 years. Most people are running on adrenaline in the moments after a crash. The decisions made in those first hours often shape what happens next. Below is the general playbook we've seen work well for Indiana drivers.

Minutes 0-15: Safety and 911

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers. Adrenaline masks pain, you may not feel injured even if you are. Look for: bleeding, dizziness, neck stiffness, chest pressure, or trouble breathing. If anyone is hurt or you're unsure, call 911 immediately and stay where you are.

If everyone is uninjured and the vehicles are blocking traffic:

1. Turn on hazard lights.
2. Move vehicles to the shoulder if they're drivable and it's safe to do so. Indiana law allows this for minor accidents to prevent secondary collisions.
3. Stay in or near the vehicle with seatbelt off, if you're rear-ended again you don't want to be re-impacted by the seatbelt.
4. Call 911 anyway even for minor accidents. Indiana Code 9-26-1-1.1 requires reporting accidents with injury or $1,000+ damage. In 2026, $1,000 in damage is a fender scuff, almost every accident qualifies. Get the police report.

In Lafayette or West Lafayette, the non-emergency police line is (765) 807-1200 for Lafayette PD and (765) 775-5200 for West Lafayette PD. For accidents on US-52, I-65, or county roads outside city limits, Tippecanoe County Sheriff dispatch is (765) 423-9388.

Minutes 15-60: Document Everything

While you're waiting for police, gather the documentation that will determine your insurance claim's outcome.

1. Photos, take 15-20 minimum

• Wide shots of both vehicles from front, back, both sides
• Close-ups of every damage point on every car
• Both license plates clearly visible
• The scene from 30 feet back showing road conditions, signs, signals
• Any skid marks, debris, or vehicle fluid on the road
• The other driver's insurance card and driver's license (ask politely; they're required to share)
• Any visible injuries on yourself or passengers

2. Information exchange

From the other driver:

• Full legal name and current address
• Driver's license number
• Insurance company name + policy number
• Insurance company phone number (from the card)
• Vehicle make, model, year, color, license plate
• Phone number (verify by calling it on the spot, some people give fake numbers)

3. Witnesses

If anyone stopped to help or saw the crash, get their name and phone number. Witnesses disappear within minutes of an accident, and an independent witness can flip a disputed fault determination weeks later.

4. Common pitfalls to be aware of

Indiana attorneys and insurance professionals commonly recommend that drivers think carefully about the following at an accident scene. We're not lawyers, but here's what we hear most often from the legal community:

• Statements like "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault" can sometimes be used by insurance investigators to assign liability. Fault is typically determined after investigation, not at the scene.
• "I'm fine" can be a hard statement to walk back. Soft-tissue injuries (whiplash, back strain) commonly surface 24-72 hours after a collision. Many people say something like "I'm not sure yet, I'll need to get checked out" instead.
• Some drivers ask to "handle it without insurance" to avoid a claim. This can leave you without recourse if the other driver later changes their story. A police report creates an official record.
• Social media posts about an accident can become evidence in claims and litigation. Many attorneys suggest waiting until any claim is closed before posting publicly.

For specific legal questions about what to say or do after an accident, consult a licensed Indiana attorney. Many offer free initial consultations.

Hours 1-6: File the Claim and Plan the Tow

Once you're home or somewhere safe, the next phase begins. Order matters here.

1. Call your insurance company (even if the other driver is at fault)

Most insurance professionals recommend notifying your own insurer of any accident, even when filing against the at-fault driver's policy. Many policies have prompt-notification requirements. Check your specific policy or call your agent if you're unsure.

Common guidance from insurance agents when you call:

• Stick to the facts: where, when, who was involved, what happened
• Avoid speculating or assigning fault, that's the adjuster's job to investigate
• Get your claim number in writing via text or email
• Ask: "What documentation do you need from me?" and "What's the next step?"

2. Decide where the vehicle is going

This is the most important decision in the first 24 hours. You have the right to choose any body shop in Indiana, your insurance cannot force you to use their preferred shop. If your car isn't drivable, have it towed directly to the body shop of your choice. This saves you a second tow fee ($100-$200) and lets the shop start the estimate immediately.

At Bob Rohrman Collision Repair Center, we accept tow drop-offs 24/7 at 3400 National Drive, Lafayette IN. Call us at (765) 448-1100 before the tow so we know to expect your vehicle, or have the tow driver call from the scene.

3. Get a quick photo estimate

While the car is being towed or while you're at home, take 4-6 photos and submit a free 24/7 photo estimate. We'll review it and send you a preliminary cost range within 1 business day, useful for deciding whether to file an insurance claim or pay out of pocket if the damage is minor.

Hours 6-24: Medical, Repair, and Follow-Up

The slower-paced final phase. By this point you have a claim filed, a body shop chosen, and (hopefully) your vehicle in good hands.

1. Consider getting checked medically, even if you feel fine

If you have any neck stiffness, back pain, headache, dizziness, or other symptoms after a collision, many doctors recommend getting evaluated within 24 hours. Soft-tissue and concussion injuries often surface days after a crash. If you're unsure whether to see a doctor, call your primary care physician or an urgent care for guidance. We're a body shop, not a medical office, so any medical decisions should be made with a licensed healthcare provider.

2. Confirm body shop logistics

Call the body shop the next morning to confirm:

• The car arrived
• An estimator has looked at it
• They've been in touch with your insurance adjuster
• Estimated timeline for the estimate to be finalized

3. Arrange a rental car if needed

If you have rental car coverage on your policy, your insurer will arrange a rental directly. If not, you can rent on your own and submit for reimbursement (sometimes). If the other driver is at fault, their insurance is required to provide a rental for the duration of the repair. The body shop can usually coordinate this for you.

4. Save everything in one folder

Create a digital folder (phone notes, email folder, or physical) with:

• Police report (request through the agency's records department)
• Photos from the scene
• Your insurance claim number
• The other driver's information
• Medical records (if any)
• Body shop estimate
• Towing receipt

Having everything in one place saves hours if there's a dispute later.

What If You Were at Fault?

The same general playbook applies, with two main differences according to most auto insurance policies:

• Your collision coverage typically pays for your repair (minus deductible). You don't need to wait on the other driver.
• Your liability coverage typically pays for the other driver's car and any injuries. Your insurance handles their claim.

Indiana at-fault claims typically raise rates 15-25% for 3-5 years according to industry data, though the exact impact varies by carrier. Whether to file or pay out of pocket depends on the repair cost vs. that rate impact. We have a separate guide on when to file an insurance claim vs. pay out of pocket. For specific questions about your policy, call your agent.

What If the Other Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?

About 16% of Indiana drivers are uninsured according to the Insurance Information Institute. If you're hit by an uninsured driver, most Indiana auto policies include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which is required on Indiana policies unless you've signed a written waiver. Your insurer typically pays for your repair and any covered injuries, then attempts subrogation against the at-fault driver. Specific coverage and process depends on your policy. For complex uninsured-driver claims, especially with injuries, many drivers consult an Indiana personal injury attorney to understand their options.

The First-24-Hours Cheat Sheet

Time Block	Priority Actions
0-15 min	Check injuries, call 911, move vehicles to shoulder, turn on hazards
15-60 min	15-20 photos, exchange info, get witness contacts, wait for police, stick to factual statements
1-6 hours	File insurance claim, choose body shop, arrange tow directly to shop, submit photo estimate
6-24 hours	Medical check if any symptoms, confirm body shop logistics, arrange rental, organize documentation

The Bottom Line

The actions you take in the first 24 hours after a car accident in Indiana often shape your insurance outcome more than anything that happens in the weeks afterward. Stay calm, document thoroughly, call 911 even for minor accidents, choose your own body shop, and stick to factual statements at the scene. If you're in Lafayette, West Lafayette, Frankfort, or Crawfordsville, Bob Rohrman Collision Repair Center is available for tow drop-offs and free photo estimates: (765) 448-1100.

We've helped Tippecanoe County drivers through this process for 56 years. Lifetime workmanship warranty, I-CAR Gold Class certified, DRP relationships with seven major insurers. Get a free 24/7 photo estimate or schedule an in-person appointment online.

Just had an accident in Lafayette, West Lafayette, or anywhere in Tippecanoe County? Get a free 24/7 photo estimate from your phone right now or call us at (765) 448-1100. We accept tow drop-offs 24/7 at 3400 National Drive, Lafayette IN. I-CAR Gold Class, lifetime workmanship warranty, 4.7★ from 1,952 reviews.