What to Do if You’ve Been in a California Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident, you might be overwhelmed with the experience and what to do next. Your priority is your safety and health, and if you have been injured, getting the support you need to recover. Contacting a car accident lawyer can help maximize compensation for the accident and your injuries as well as take away some of the stress of dealing with insurance while you should be focusing on your recovery. Our guide covers what to do if you’ve been in a car accident.

1. Determine if you’ve been injured

If you are injured, it is best to not risk moving unless you are in immediate danger and call 911 or ask a bystander to. If you are not injured, check on your passengers if you have any, or the other driver if you can. If anyone is hurt, call 911.

2. Move to safety

If you’re uninjured and you can still drive your car, move to an area away from the flow of traffic where you or others could be at further risk of harm. If the car is wrecked and unable to move, leave it where it is and get yourself, passengers and the other driver to a safe area like the sidewalk or road shoulder.

3. Call emergency services

It’s a good idea to call emergency services and police even if you are not injured. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, like whiplash, and your well-being is a priority. Calling police is a legal responsibility if someone has been injured, died or if there is property damage over $1000, but even in a minor collision, police can create a record of the accident that will be useful to lawyers and insurance in determining your compensation. Police will get an account from you, the other driver and any witnesses.

4. Collect information

Now is a good time to exchange contact and insurance information. Focus on getting these pieces:

• Full name, phone number or email address
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver’s license and plate number
• Vehicle information like make, model and color
• Record the location

If there are witnesses, you can get their information as well to support your claim. Even in a minor accident, you’ll want to get these pieces of information.

Remember to not discuss fault, as it can be difficult later to counter statements you make now. Even if you know whose fault it is, it is not for you to admit or determine at the scene where tensions are high.

5. Document as much as you can

If you have called the police, get their names, badge numbers and a copy of the report for your insurance and lawyers.

Take pictures and videos. Photographic evidence can show more and help support your claim. Accounts of the accident can vary but pictures can tell what happened more reliably than people.

6. Contact a car accident lawyer

If the accident has left you with significant damages, either with injuries or without a vehicle, having a lawyer on your side can be quite helpful in getting the compensation you deserve and need while you focus on recovering.

Lawyers can help with the following:

• Getting the police report: if you weren’t able to get a copy of the incident report, a skilled lawyer can do this for you. It helps get your case off to a strong start and shouldn’t be something that you need to worry about if you’ve been injured.
• Collecting evidence: a lawyer investigates all aspects carefully and will help by looking through witness statements, medical records and all photographic evidence.
• Knowing the laws and insurance policies: the legal aspects can be challenging to understand but crucial to your case. An empathetic lawyer will help you understand so you can make informed decisions.
• Determining fault: knowing who or what caused the accident can be hard to figure out in the moment and even after sometimes. A lawyer can analyze all evidence to determine who was responsible, and ensure that you get justice.
• Maximizing compensation: a lawyer can help assess all of the damages in a car accident. You might be aware of the obvious economic damages like medical bills, and lost wages, but there are also non-economic damages like pain and suffering that you can be compensated for. A lawyer will make sure that none of these aspects are overlooked, so you can get full compensation.
• Negotiating with insurance: a lawyer can handle the negotiations on your behalf; a worry that you don’t need to stress over while recovering. An experienced lawyer has negotiation techniques and your best interest in mind to get you a fair settlement.
• Ready for court: most cases are settled through negotiation, but if you need to go to court, a lawyer can prepare you for trial with evidence, advice and a solid legal strategy as they fight for your rights.

How Do You Find the Right Lawyer?

Picking a personal injury lawyer can be hard and when you’re trying to focus on recovering, it can be overwhelming to figure out. Below, we have some tips on what to look for when assessing whether the lawyer you’re considering is the right one for you.

• Be sure that they have experience handling cases like yours successfully. A car accident lawyer will know California laws and time limits for claims, will have connections with doctors and experts in car accidents, and will be familiar with all kinds of car accident injuries.
• Past clients leave good reviews for them, and the law firm can connect you with them if you need reassurance of their services.
• You feel comfortable working with them: they listen to you, address your concerns and feel like part of your team.
• Communication is excellent, you are updated on your case and decisions are explained to you.
• The fees are reasonable for you, and typically are only paid if you are paid.

If you have any questions or would like a consultation, our firm is available to help support you.