{"id":788,"date":"2026-10-04T01:33:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T01:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/resources\/traumatic-brain-injury-car-truck-accident\/what-to-do-after-serious-car-accident-brain-injury\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T02:43:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T02:43:53","slug":"what-to-do-after-serious-car-accident-brain-injury","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/resources\/traumatic-brain-injury-car-truck-accident\/what-to-do-after-serious-car-accident-brain-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do After a Serious Car Crash in Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-secondary-background-color has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"Emergency vehicles and investigators at a car accident scene on a city street.\" src=\"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/emergency-vehicles-and-investigators-at-a-car-accident-scene-photo-4.jpg\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Car Accident Guide<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">What to Do After a Serious Car Crash in Virginia<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);\">Immediate steps that protect your health, your rights, and your claim<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+15405340928\">Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/personalinjury.lawbrokr.com\/personal_injury\">Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">Published October 04, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h2>What to Do Immediately After a Serious Car Crash in Virginia<\/h2>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve just been in a serious car accident, your immediate priorities are safety, medical care, and documentation. The steps you take in the first hours and days can protect your health, preserve evidence, and strengthen any claim you may have. Here&#8217;s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you or a family member has been in a serious car crash and you&#8217;re unsure what comes next, reach out for a free case evaluation. Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first case evaluation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+15405340928\">Get a free case evaluation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/personalinjury.lawbrokr.com\/personal_injury\">Get a free case evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/severely-damaged-car-on-a-foggy-street-after-collision-photo-4.jpg\" alt=\"Severely damaged car on a foggy street after collision.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Prioritize Safety and Medical Care First<\/h2>\n<p>Your safety and health come before everything else. If the vehicles can be moved and it&#8217;s safe to do so, move them out of traffic and turn on hazard lights. Call 911 right away if anyone is injured, if there&#8217;s significant vehicle damage, or if you&#8217;re unsure about injuries.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stay at the scene.<\/strong> Leaving can create serious legal complications. Remain in your vehicle or a safe location until police arrive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Seek medical evaluation immediately, even if you feel fine.<\/strong> This is critical in serious crashes. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/health-information\/disorders\/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi\">Traumatic brain injuries often don&#8217;t show symptoms right<\/a> away\u2014they can develop over hours or days. Tell the medical provider about any head impact, loss of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, or disorientation, no matter how brief. Keep all medical records, test results, and imaging reports in one place.<\/p>\n<h2>Document the Scene and Gather Information<\/h2>\n<p>While details are fresh, collect as much information as possible. Take photos and video of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vehicle damage (wide shots and close-ups)<\/li>\n<li>The accident scene, road conditions, traffic signals, and weather<\/li>\n<li>The other vehicle&#8217;s license plate, VIN, and damage<\/li>\n<li>Any visible injuries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Get the other driver&#8217;s name, phone number, address, driver&#8217;s license number, and insurance information. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Note the date, time, location, and a brief description of how the accident happened.<\/p>\n<h2>Report to Police and Insurance<\/h2>\n<p>Request a police report and note the report number. Notify your insurance company promptly, but be careful about what you say. Stick to facts: where, when, and what happened. Don&#8217;t apologize, speculate about fault, or make statements like &#8220;I think it was my fault&#8221; or &#8220;I wasn&#8217;t paying attention.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Provide your insurer with the documentation you gathered. If injuries are serious, avoid giving a recorded statement without legal guidance first.<\/p>\n<h2>What Not to Tell Your Insurance Company<\/h2>\n<p>Insurance companies look for reasons to minimize payouts. Don&#8217;t minimize your injuries by saying you&#8217;re fine when you&#8217;re unsure. Don&#8217;t accept a quick settlement offer before you understand the full extent of your injuries\u2014brain injuries can take weeks to fully develop.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t post about the accident on social media.<\/strong> Insurers and opposing parties monitor these posts and use them against claimants.<\/p>\n<h2>Monitor for Brain Injury Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>Watch for headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, mood changes, sensitivity to light or sound, sleep disturbances, or difficulty concentrating in the days and weeks after the crash. Return to medical care if new symptoms develop or existing ones worsen.<\/p>\n<p>Keep a written log of any symptoms and when they occur. This becomes important documentation. Follow all medical advice and attend follow-up appointments, even if you feel better.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first case evaluation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+15405340928\">Get a free case evaluation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/personalinjury.lawbrokr.com\/personal_injury\">Get a free case evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Preserve Evidence and Records<\/h2>\n<p>Keep all medical bills, test results, imaging reports, and provider notes organized. Retain receipts for medications, medical equipment, or travel to appointments. Save all communications with insurance companies, the other driver, and medical providers.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t repair or dispose of the vehicle until an insurance adjuster has inspected it. Preserve any dashcam footage, traffic camera footage, or other video from the scene.<\/p>\n<h2>Consider Legal Guidance Early<\/h2>\n<p>Serious car accidents involving potential brain injury benefit from early legal review. A lawyer can advise you on what to say to insurers, help you understand your rights, and ensure important deadlines are met.<\/p>\n<p>Virginia has a filing deadline for personal injury claims. <a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-243\/\">Under Virginia Code \u00a7 8<\/a>.01-243(A), you generally have two years from when your injury occurs to file a lawsuit. The sooner you understand your situation, the better. Many people wait too long to seek legal guidance and miss important opportunities to preserve evidence or meet deadlines.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Documentation Matters in a Brain Injury Claim<\/h2>\n<p>Medical records that document the accident, your symptoms, and treatment are the foundation of any claim. Photos and witness statements help establish how the accident occurred. Your own written account of symptoms and their impact on daily life matters.<\/p>\n<p>Insurance companies and courts rely on contemporaneous documentation\u2014records made at or near the time of the injury carry more weight than memories recalled months later. This is why keeping a symptom log and preserving medical records from the first days after the crash is so important.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/firefighter-assisting-at-scene-of-overturned-vehicle-on-wet-photo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Firefighter assisting at scene of overturned vehicle on wet road.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What should I do if I feel fine after a serious car accident?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/\">Seek medical evaluation anyway<\/a>. Brain injuries often don&#8217;t show symptoms immediately. Tell your provider about any head impact or disorientation, even if brief.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can I be held responsible for the accident if I was partly at fault?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Virginia follows <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vacourts.gov\/opinions\/opncavwp\/1374231.pdf\">contributory negligence<\/a>: if you are found even partly at fault, you may be barred from recovering, with limited exceptions. Talk to a lawyer about your facts. You should talk to a lawyer about your specific facts.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long do I have to file a claim in Virginia?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-243\/\">Generally, you have two years from when your injury occurs, though some claims carry notice requirements that run out sooner.<\/a><\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if the other driver doesn&#8217;t have insurance?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Virginia requires minimum liability coverage of $50,000 bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident. If the other driver is uninsured, your own insurance may provide coverage under uninsured motorist protection.<\/p><\/details><hr \/>\n<p>If you or a family member has been in a serious car crash and you&#8217;re unsure what comes next, reach out for a free case evaluation.<\/p>\n\n<\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer chg-closing-block\"><p>Don&#8217;t wait to find out where you stand. Deadlines in Virginia injury cases vary, and some notice requirements run out well before the general filing deadline. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the more options you have.<\/p><p>Correll Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured Virginians and their families. We focus on your case, so you can focus on getting better.\u00ae<\/p><p>No attorney&#8217;s fee unless we win. Clients may remain responsible for costs accrued in the case.<\/p><p>Call Correll Law Firm at (540) 534-0928 for a free case review.<\/p><p>This post is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice, and it is not privileged or confidential in any way. The only way Correll Law Firm will represent you is through a signed fee agreement. Settlements, verdicts, and results in all cases depend on various factors and circumstances that are unique to each case. Statements in this post and past results in cases are not a guarantee or prediction of similar results in future cases that Correll Law Firm and its lawyers may undertake.<\/p><\/footer>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/traumatic-brain-injury-car-truck-accident\/\">Traumatic Brain Injury from Car and Truck Accidents: Legal Help in Virginia<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Immediate steps after a serious car accident: safety, documentation, medical care, and brain injury monitoring to protect your claim.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":94,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"","chg_jsonld":"[{\"image\": [\"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/images\/car-accident-emergency-scene.jpg\", \"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/images\/documenting-accident-scene.jpg\", \"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/images\/brain-injury-medical-evaluation.jpg\"], \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Beau Correll\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/learn-more\/\", \"jobTitle\": \"Managing Attorney\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/vsb.org\/Site\/Shared_Content\/Directory\/va-lawyer-directory.aspx?hkey=fb40483e-6f0d-43a8-899b-2133585a3a1e\", \"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/in\/beaucorrell\", \"https:\/\/www.avvo.com\/attorneys\/22601-va-beau-correll-2793689.html\"]}, \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"headline\": \"What to Do Immediately After a Serious Car Crash in Virginia\", \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Correll Law Firm\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/correllfirm.com\/\"}, \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What should I do if I feel fine after a serious car accident?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Seek medical evaluation anyway. 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