A car accident happens in seconds, but what you do next can affect your health, your finances, and your legal rights for months or years. If you were just in a crash in California, here is a clear, step-by-step guide to protecting yourself.
1. Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
Your health comes first. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. If your vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic, move them to the shoulder. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Call the Police
In California, you must report a crash that causes injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report also creates an official record of what happened, which is valuable evidence later. Ask for the responding officer’s name and the report number.
3. Document Everything
If you are physically able, use your phone to capture:
- Photos of all vehicles, damage, and their positions
- The other driver’s license, insurance card, and license plate
- The road, traffic signals, skid marks, and weather conditions
- Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
The more you document at the scene, the harder it is for an insurance company to dispute your version of events.
4. See a Doctor, Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline can mask serious injuries for hours or days. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries often show up later. See a doctor promptly, and follow through on treatment. Gaps in medical care are one of the most common reasons insurers pay less than a claim is worth.
5. Be Careful What You Say
Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene, even to be polite. When the other driver’s insurance company calls, you are not required to give a recorded statement, and you should not do so before speaking with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your claim.
6. Report the Crash to Your Own Insurer
Notify your own insurance company that a crash occurred, but stick to the facts and avoid speculating about fault or the extent of your injuries.
7. Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Before You Settle
The first settlement offer is usually far below what a claim is worth, and once you accept it, you generally cannot ask for more. A free consultation with a car accident lawyer costs you nothing and helps you understand what your case is actually worth before you sign anything.
Know Your Deadlines
In most California car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against a government entity can have a deadline as short as six months. Do not wait until it is too late.
If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in California, call us at 323-991-7353 for a free, no-obligation case review. Se habla espanol, and there is no fee unless we win.
This article is general information about California law, not legal advice. Every case is different - for advice about your situation, talk to a lawyer. Call us at 323-991-7353 for a free consultation.