Detailed answer — step-by-step guide under Vermont law

1. Read the crash report carefully and preserve it

The crash report (police report) records who was involved, where the crash happened, and any citations or officer comments. Save both a PDF and a paper copy. If anything in the report is wrong, note the corrections and consider asking the issuing agency how to amend or supplement the report.

2. Seek and document medical care immediately

Your priority is health. Some injuries do not appear right away. Get a medical evaluation, follow treatment recommendations, and keep all medical records, bills, imaging, and doctor notes. These records are the foundation of your injury claim.

3. Start gathering evidence

• Photos of vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and visible injuries.
• Contact information for witnesses and short written statements while memories are fresh.
• Repair estimates, receipts, and a record of lost wages (pay stubs, employer statements).
• All communication with insurers, including claim numbers and adjuster names.

4. Notify your insurer and the other driver’s insurer (if required)

Vermont policies typically require prompt notice of a crash. Provide facts, your crash report, and your claim details. Keep notes of every call (date, time, who you spoke with, and a short summary). Do not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer until you understand your injuries and likely damages.

5. Preserve evidence and protect your rights

Keep your vehicle in the condition it was in after the crash until instructed by an insurer or attorney. Preserve clothing, damaged personal items, and any devices (phones, dashcam) that may contain relevant data.

6. Evaluate liability and damages

Use the crash report alongside witness statements and photos to assess who was negligent. In Vermont, you pursue compensation for economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non‑economic losses (pain and suffering). An attorney can help estimate long‑term or future damages.

7. Demand letter and settlement negotiation

When your medical treatment has stabilized and you have records and bills, send a demand package to the at‑fault driver’s insurer. A typical demand includes a summary of the crash, medical records and bills, wage documentation, photos, and a dollar demand. Insurers will evaluate and make offers. Many claims settle at this stage.

8. Consider hiring an attorney

An attorney can evaluate liability, prepare a demand, negotiate with insurers, advise on dealing with recorded statements, and, if necessary, file suit. If liability or injuries are complex, or if the insurer undervalues the claim, legal help often improves outcomes.

9. Filing suit — statute of limitations in Vermont

Do not miss Vermont’s deadline to file. Vermont generally limits personal injury actions to a specific time period from the date of injury. See Vermont statutes for limitations on civil actions, Title 12. If you miss the deadline, a court will likely dismiss your case. For an authoritative starting point, review Vermont’s statutes here: Vermont Statutes, Title 12 (Courts and Civil Procedure). If you think the deadline may be near, consult a lawyer immediately.

10. Litigation and trial (if necessary)

If negotiations fail, an attorney can file a complaint and pursue discovery (interrogatories, depositions, document requests). Your case may go to mediation, arbitration, or trial. Expect this process to take many months or longer depending on court schedules and case complexity.

11. Records retention

Keep all crash‑related records until your claim resolves — medical records, billing, correspondence, photos, repair records, and wage documents. These may be needed if a settlement offer arrives late or the defense disputes damages.

Practical example (hypothetical)

Maria gets a crash report after a rear‑end collision in Chittenden County. She saves the report, visits urgent care the same day, and follows with her primary care physician and physical therapy. She photographs the scene and gets two witness phone numbers. After six weeks of treatment, she compiles medical bills and a short narrative and sends a demand letter to the at‑fault insurer. The insurer offers an amount that won’t cover long‑term therapy. Maria hires an attorney, who negotiates a higher settlement. Because Maria preserved her records and acted before Vermont’s filing deadline, she recovers meaningful compensation without going to trial.

Helpful Hints

• Seek medical care even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (e.g., whiplash) show up later.
• Do not sign releases or accept final offers until your treatment is complete and you know all bills.
• Be cautious about recorded statements requested by the other insurer. Ask for a reasonable delay and consider speaking with a lawyer first.
• Track out‑of‑pocket costs (transportation, prescriptions, childcare during appointments) — they matter for damages.
• If you are unsure who is at fault or the insurer denies responsibility, contact a Vermont attorney who practices in personal injury and motor vehicle collisions.
• If you plan to hire an attorney, bring the crash report, medical records, photos, repair estimates, the insurer’s communications, and witness contact info to the first meeting.
• Look up Vermont law and procedural rules early: Vermont statutes are available at https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/; motor vehicle laws are at Title 23 (Motor Vehicles).