Here is an excellent answer to this common question provided by Perenich, Carroll, Perenich, Avril, Caulfield & Noyes, P.A., a Clearwater, FL personal injury law firm. Here it is:

“Fortunately, most of us have not been involved in several car accidents. However, this means that we are unfamiliar with what we need to do immediately after a car accident. In order to protect your rights after a car accident, you should do the following:

• Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of all drivers involved in the car accident.
• Obtain each driver’s car insurance company’s name and policy number. Also, the telephone number of the insurance company would be helpful.
• Report the accident immediately to the police and your insurance company whether or not it was your fault.
• Cooperate with the police in preparing an accident report.
• Photograph the exterior and interior of the vehicles involved in the accident.
• See a physician if you are having any pain without delay. Unfortunately, most times the pain will not subside without some treatment.
• Get legal advice before filling out insurance documents or giving recorded statements to any insurance company (even your own insurance company) or meeting with any insurance company representative.
• Photograph your injuries. The bruises and cuts may heal; however, the tissue beneath the skin may not completely heal. Photographs of your bruises and cuts will support the magnitude of the injury.
• Gather all automobile insurance policies in your household for evaluation by an attorney. You may be entitled to insurance coverage for a separate insurance policy.
• Get legal advice before signing any check or document from any insurance company.”