A serious accident turns your life upside down in an instant. One moment, everything is normal, and the next, you are dealing with pain, shock, confusion, and a flood of questions about what happens next. The steps you take in those first 24 hours can make an enormous difference, both to your health and to the strength of any future serious injury claim.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, so you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your legal rights from the very beginning. Whether you have been involved in a road traffic collision, a workplace accident, a slip and fall, or any other serious incident, these actions matter. Read on to understand what the first 24 hours should look like, and how the team at Emaari Legal can support you every step of the way.
1. Call the Emergency Services Immediately
Your very first priority after any serious accident is safety and emergency care. Call 999 straight away if you or anyone else needs urgent medical attention. Do not wait to see if the pain subsides or assume injuries are minor. Many serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries, do not always produce obvious symptoms right away.
If the accident involves a road traffic collision, you are also legally required to report it to the police if anyone is injured. Even in workplace or public place accidents, calling the emergency services creates an official record of the incident, which can be highly valuable later in the claims process.
Why this matters for your claim
An ambulance report and police record create an independent, time-stamped account of the accident. These documents can serve as powerful evidence when you later work with serious injury solicitors to build your case.
2. Seek Medical Attention Even if You Feel Fine
Adrenaline is a powerful thing. After a serious accident, your body goes into shock mode, and you may genuinely feel better than you are. Many people walk away from a collision or fall convinced they are unhurt, only to discover serious injuries hours or days later. Whiplash, concussion, soft tissue damage, and fractures can all be masked by the body’s immediate stress response.
Visit your GP, go to A&E, or attend an urgent treatment centre as soon as you possibly can, even if you have already been seen at the scene. Ask the medical staff to document all symptoms, no matter how small they seem. Keep every piece of medical paperwork you receive, including discharge notes, prescriptions, and any referrals.
A consistent, documented medical history is one of the most important foundations of any serious personal injury claim. If you delay seeking treatment, insurers and opposing legal teams may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or were not serious enough to warrant compensation.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene (If You Are Able to Do So Safely)
If your physical condition allows, gathering evidence at the scene of the accident can significantly strengthen your position. This does not mean compromising your safety or well-being. If you are seriously hurt, leave this to emergency services and witnesses. But if you are able to move safely, the following steps are worth taking:
- Take photographs of the scene from multiple angles, including any hazards, road conditions, damaged vehicles, or faulty equipment.
- Photograph your injuries as soon as possible after the accident.
- Get the names, contact numbers, and addresses of any witnesses.
- Note the time, date, exact location, and weather conditions.
- If it is a road traffic accident, record the other driver’s name, vehicle registration, insurance details, and driving licence number.
- If it is a workplace accident, report it to your manager or employer immediately and ensure it is recorded in the workplace accident book.
- If it is a public place accident, report it to the responsible body (a local council, shop manager, or venue operator) and ask for a written record.
The more evidence you preserve in those first hours, the clearer the picture becomes when your solicitor begins investigating your case. Memories fade, and scenes change quickly, so acting promptly gives your claim its strongest possible start.
4. Report the Accident to the Relevant Authority
Depending on where and how the accident happened, there may be a legal obligation to report it formally. For road traffic accidents involving injury, you must report to the police within 24 hours if you did not do so at the scene. For workplace accidents, your employer is required under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) to report serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Even where there is no strict legal requirement, reporting the accident formally creates an official paper trail. For accidents in a shop, restaurant, leisure centre, or other public space, ask to speak with a manager and request that the incident be recorded in writing. Ask for a copy of that report before you leave.
A common mistake to avoid
Many accident victims accept verbal assurances that a report will be filed, only to find later that no formal record exists. Always request written confirmation and keep a copy for your own records.
5. Be Careful About What You Say and Sign
In the immediate aftermath of a serious accident, you may be approached by insurers, employers, or other parties asking for statements. This can happen very quickly, sometimes within hours of the incident. It is natural to want to cooperate and get things resolved, but making statements without proper legal advice can seriously harm your claim.
Here is what you should keep in mind:
- Do not admit fault or apologise at the scene, even if you feel responsible. Liability is often more complex than it first appears.
- Do not give a recorded statement to an insurer without speaking to a solicitor first.
- Do not sign any settlement offer or release of liability. Early settlement offers are almost always far below what you are entitled to.
- Be mindful of social media. Posting about the accident or your recovery can be used against you.
The safest approach is to politely decline to make a formal statement until you have spoken with a solicitor who specialises in serious injury claims. This is not about being uncooperative; it is about protecting your rights.
6. Keep a Personal Injury Diary From Day One
Starting a personal injury diary on the day of your accident (or as soon as you are able) is one of the most practical and often overlooked steps you can take. This diary does not need to be lengthy or formal. A simple notebook or notes app on your phone works perfectly well.
Record the following every day:
- Your symptoms and pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10.
- How your injuries are affecting your daily activities, including work, sleep, and personal care.
- Any medical appointments, treatments, or medications.
- Emotional or psychological effects, such as anxiety, low mood, or difficulty sleeping.
- Any out-of-pocket expenses linked to the accident, such as travel to appointments, prescription costs, or care from family members.
This diary builds a detailed, real-time account of how the accident has affected your life. Courts and insurers give considerable weight to this kind of evidence, particularly in serious injury cases where long-term impact needs to be demonstrated.
7. Contact Serious Injury Solicitors as Soon as Possible
Getting legal advice early is one of the most important things you can do in the first 24 hours after a serious accident. Many people assume they should wait until they recover, or that legal help is something to think about further down the line. In reality, the earlier you speak with serious injury solicitors, the better your chances of securing the full compensation you deserve.
Early legal advice helps in several important ways:
- Your solicitor can advise you on how to preserve and document evidence before it disappears.
- They can communicate with insurers and other parties on your behalf, protecting you from making statements that could harm your claim.
- They can identify all the heads of loss you may be entitled to claim, from medical costs and lost earnings to future care needs and psychological damage.
- They can begin investigating liability while the facts are still fresh and witnesses are available.
- They give you peace of mind at an incredibly stressful time, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
At Emaari Legal, our team of experienced serious injury solicitors understands that no two accidents are the same. We take the time to listen, to understand your specific circumstances, and to build a case that fully reflects the impact the accident has had on your life.
What about the three-year time limit?
In England and Wales, you generally have three years from the date of an accident to bring a personal injury claim. However, exceptions apply for children and in cases of delayed diagnosis. Waiting until you approach that deadline puts you under unnecessary pressure and can limit the evidence available. Contacting a solicitor early means you start the process when your case is at its strongest.
What Counts as a Serious Injury?
Serious injuries are those that have a significant, lasting impact on your life. They go beyond minor bumps and bruises and typically require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, or care. Common examples that Emaari Legal handles include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations and limb loss
- Severe burns
- Multiple fractures
- Crush injuries
- Serious orthopaedic injuries
- Psychological trauma, such as PTSD, following an accident
Even if you are unsure whether your injuries qualify as ‘serious,’ it is always worth speaking to a solicitor. The legal definition can be broader than people expect, and the compensation available in genuinely serious injury cases can be substantial, covering not just your immediate losses but your long-term future too.
Moving Forward After a Serious Accident
The first 24 hours after a serious accident are disorienting and frightening, but the choices you make during that window can shape your recovery and your future. By calling the emergency services, getting prompt medical attention, gathering evidence, reporting the incident formally, protecting what you say, keeping a diary, and contacting a solicitor early, you give yourself the strongest possible foundation for the road ahead.
You do not have to face this alone. The team at Emaari Legal is here to take the legal weight off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most: getting better.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury and you want to understand your options, contact Emaari Legal today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our dedicated team of serious injury solicitors is ready to listen, advise, and fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every accident and injury case is unique. Please contact Emaari Legal directly for advice tailored to your circumstances.