“Mom, I’ve Been in an Accident!”: What to Do If Injury Strikes Away from Home

As the new school year begins, excitement and nerves are high. Between buying books, decorating dorm rooms, and triple-checking class schedules, there’s one topic that often gets overlooked: 

What should your college student do if, God forbid, they’re in a car accident while making a late-night grub run or they slip and fall at a tail-gate party? 

A little preparation now can go a long way later. 

Here’s what to share with them before an incident occurs:

1. Stay Calm, Stay Safe

• First priority: Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.

• Never leave the scene of an accident, no matter how minor. 

• Move to a safe location away from on-coming traffic, if possible.

• Never admit fault or speculate about what happened at the scene.

2. Document Everything

• Take clear photos of the accident scene and any visible injuries. For motor vehicle accidents, this includes pictures of all vehicles involved. For premises cases, take pictures of any defect or condition that caused the accident, like an uneven sidewalk or a wet floor.  

• Get the names, phone numbers, insurance info, and driver’s license numbers of all involved.

• Collect contact details for any witnesses.

3. Get Medical Care Immediately

• Even if your student feels fine, symptoms can appear hours or days later.

• Use their student health center for minor issues but go to urgent care or the ER for anything serious. When speaking to your health care provider, be sure to specify all of your injuries as a result of the accident. 

• Keep all medical records and receipts, including co-payments and drugstore purchases.

4. Call Home — and a Lawyer

• Let a trusted family member know right away.

• Before speaking to any insurance company (even your own), contact a personal injury attorney—especially if injuries are involved – to advise them on their rights, state laws, and next steps.

5. Understand the Difference When They’re Out of State

• Personal injury laws vary from state to state—what applies at home may not apply where your student goes to school.

• Your attorney can coordinate with local counsel if needed to protect your student’s rights.

💡 Extra Tip: Put an 'Emergency Legal Contact' card in your student’s wallet and vehicle glove compartment with:

✨Parent or guardian phone number and email

✨Insurance details

✨Your personal injury law firm’s phone number (ours is (844) 8-FIGHT-E) 

We’re Here for You and Your College Student — Wherever They Are

If your college student is in an accident—whether it’s a car crash, slip-and-fall, or other injury—The Edwards Firm LLP is here to help regardless of where they go to school. We’ll guide you and your student through the process, so you can focus on their recovery and peace of mind.

📞 Call us anytime at (844) 8-FIGHT-E

📧 Email: info@edwardsfirmny.com

🌐 Website: www.edwardsfirmny.com

Fighting and Winning,

Lennon C. Edwards, Esq.

Monique Carkum Edwards, Esq.