Car accidents are frighteningly common. In fact, over six million happen every single year in the U.S., and a good chunk of them involve people who weren’t breaking the law, weren’t speeding, and weren’t texting.

And when your kids are in the car, the trauma of it all is even bigger. Because the impact isn’t “just” physical; a crash can affect your bank account, as well as your and your kids’ entire sense of safety. 

Worst of all, these risks multiply for members of the Black community. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Black Americans saw the largest percentage increase in traffic deaths in 2021: an alarming 23% jump, compared to 7% overall. So yes, these aren’t hypotheticals. They’re realities that more families in our communities are facing.

So what do you do when the worst happens?

Make Medical Treatment Non-Negotiable

The first thing you need to do is get everyone checked out, even if nobody’s bleeding or complaining. Children come first, of course, and not just because they’re small: many kids may not verbalize what hurts, or they may be too scared to say anything.

Also, some head injuries, like concussions, whiplash, or internal trauma, don’t show up right away. This is another important reason why you shouldn’t skip ER: yes, you might avoid a copay, but this could actually cost you ten times that in the long run.

While you’re getting everyone checked out, make sure you ask for documented medical evaluations for every family member to avoid insurance loopholes later (more on this later).

Retain Legal Counsel Early

We’ll cut to the chase: you need an attorney. Mind you, not just any attorney, but ideally, one with experience in car accidents and a track record of working with Black families. Discrimination can absolutely show up in how claims are handled, so you want someone who knows how to effectively deal with these issues (without you having to spell them out).

If you live in Arizona, working with a seasoned Phoenix car accident lawyer who actually understands how the system treats people of color is essential. Zanes Law is a good example because they offer legal support that’s aggressive when it needs to be, compassionate when it counts, and clear about what your case is really worth.

But whichever firm you choose, make sure it’s one with experience. You want a really good lawyer who can help you avoid lowball settlements.

Collect and Preserve Everything

It’s easy for evidence to disappear after a crash: after all, photos can get deleted, witnesses often forget details, and vehicles can get repaired or scrapped. Keeping this in mind, you want to act quickly.

Take photos of the scene, ideally from multiple angles, as well as things like vehicle damage, any road signs, and of course, injuries if they’re visible. We also recommend screenshotting text conversations about the incident. Likewise, save medical records and bills. And if the police were involved, request a copy of the report ASAP.

Collecting and preserving all of this is essential – it will help your lawyer and protect you in case someone else’s story changes two months later.

Don’t Forget the Emotional Recovery

Your kids might not say anything for days or even weeks after the accident, but that doesn’t mean they’re fine. Car crashes can be very traumatic (even minor ones), so consider trauma counseling early. 

No, we promise you you won’t be overreacting if you do, you’ll just be responsible. Long-term effects like anxiety, sleep problems, or even behavioral changes can all be linked back to unresolved trauma from one crash.

And for you? Therapy isn’t a luxury, either. Especially if the accident has you second-guessing yourself behind the wheel, or constantly bracing for another hit every time you drive. That anxiety isn’t likely to go away on its own.

Because in the end, a car accident really can shake everything up. No, you don’t have to fix everything overnight (in fact, this attitude can only increase your anxiety), but you do need to be proactive here and protect your family like the system won’t do it for you. Because sometimes it won’t.