A car accident turns an ordinary day into a crisis in seconds. If you’ve just been in a crash or are researching because someone you know has, the steps you take in the hours that follow matter more than you may realize. They affect your health, your insurance claim, and your ability to recover compensation under California law.
Every accident is different. Serious injuries, disputed liability, or a commercial vehicle involved can make a claim far more complex than it first appears. An attorney can help you understand your rights before you make decisions that could affect your case. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in the right order, so you don’t miss anything important.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your first move is always safety. Check yourself and every passenger for injuries before anything else. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Don’t assume an injury isn’t serious because pain is mild. Adrenaline suppresses pain, and many collision-related injuries don’t show full symptoms for hours.
California Vehicle Code section 20008 requires drivers to report accidents involving injury or death to the CHP or local police within 24 hours. Getting emergency services to the scene fast protects both your health and your legal rights.
Step 2: Move to a Safe Location (If Possible)
Once you’ve confirmed everyone is safe and 911 is on the way, move vehicles out of active traffic lanes if it’s safe to do so. Turn on your hazard lights. Stay clear of traffic, especially on a freeway or busy arterial road.
Don’t leave the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a criminal offense under California Vehicle Code section 20001.
Step 3: Contact the Police and File an Accident Report
Even for minor crashes, call the police and wait for an officer. A police report creates an official record, identifies all parties, and documents initial observations about fault. Without one, the other driver or their insurer can dispute what happened far more easily.
If law enforcement cannot respond, report it yourself. California drivers must file an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 under California Vehicle Code section 16000.
Step 4: Exchange Information with Everyone Involved
Collecting the right information at the scene is one of the most protective things you can do. Don’t rely on the officer to handle these details.
Information to Collect
- Item 1: Full legal name of every driver involved
- Item 2: Phone number and home address
- Item 3: Driver’s license number and issuing state
- Item 4: Insurance company name and policy number
- Item 5: Vehicle registration information and license plate number
- Item 6: Name, phone number, and location of every witness
- Item 7: Badge number of any responding officer
If the at-fault driver’s insurance information is incomplete, your ability to file a claim against their policy becomes much harder.
Step 5: Document the Accident Scene
Evidence disappears fast. Skid marks fade. Debris gets cleared. Memories change. Document everything while you’re still at the scene.
Take Photos and Videos
Capture every angle before any vehicles move:
- All vehicle damage, road conditions, lane markings, and traffic signs
- Skid marks, debris, weather, and lighting conditions
- Any visible injuries to yourself or passengers
Write Down What Happened
As soon as you’re safely away from the scene, record:
- Exact time, location, and direction of travel for each vehicle
- Road and weather conditions at the moment of impact
- The sequence of events in your own words
The sooner you document, the stronger your record will be.
Step 6: Seek Medical Attention Even If You Feel Fine
Go to a doctor after any collision, even without obvious injuries. Some of the most common crash injuries don’t produce immediate symptoms:
- Whiplash can take 24 to 72 hours to cause noticeable pain
- Concussion symptoms often appear after adrenaline clears
- Internal injuries may show no visible signs initially
- Soft tissue injuries to the back and shoulders can worsen over the days
A prompt medical evaluation creates a dated record linking your injuries to the accident. Without it, an insurance adjuster will argue the injury occurred elsewhere or wasn’t serious enough to warrant treatment. Both arguments are used routinely to reduce settlements.
Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your own insurer as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notice as a condition of coverage. When you call:
- Stick strictly to confirmed facts: where, when, and who was involved
- Don’t speculate about fault or admit any responsibility
- Don’t describe injuries as “minor” before a physician has evaluated you
- Understand your insurer’s obligation runs to you, not to the other party
California is a pure comparative fault state, meaning your percentage of fault can reduce your recovery. Anything that suggests you share responsibility for the collision can directly reduce what you’re entitled to recover.
Step 8: Be Careful When Speaking with Insurance Adjusters
The other driver’s insurer will contact you. Their adjuster is not working in your interest. Common tactics to watch for:
- Recorded statements: Requested early, before you’ve been fully medically evaluated, and used to contradict your later account of injuries or events
- Early settlement offers: Arriving within days of a crash, almost always well below full value; once you sign a release, you cannot return for more compensation.
- Broad medical authorizations: Blanket authorization gives access to your full medical history, used to argue that injuries are pre-existing
- Minimizing severity: Adjusters are trained to challenge whether treatment was necessary or connected to the crash.
According to the Insurance Research Council’s 2014 report “Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims”, accident victims represented by an attorney received settlements approximately 3.5 times higher than those who handled claims without representation.
Step 9: Preserve Evidence Related to Your Accident
The value of a personal injury claim is built on documentation. Keep organized records of everything:
| Document Type | Why It Matters |
| Police report | Official record of the crash |
| Medical records and bills | Documents the scope and cost of treatment |
| Prescription receipts | Quantifies out-of-pocket expenses |
| Repair estimates and invoices | Documents property damage losses |
| Wage loss verification | Supports lost income claims |
| Photos from the scene | Preserves evidence that disappears quickly |
| Insurance correspondence | Record of all communications and offers |
Gaps in records make it easier for an insurer to dispute the value of your claim.
Step 10: Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Before Accepting a Settlement
Before you sign anything, speak with a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles. This step matters most when:
- You sustained serious, permanent, or disabling injuries
- Liability is disputed or unclear
- A commercial vehicle, rideshare, or government vehicle was involved
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
- The insurance company is delaying, denying, or disputing your claim
- A wrongful death occurred
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. Claims against a government entity generally require a tort claim to be filed within 6 months. Missing either deadline can eliminate your right to pursue compensation entirely.
Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident with Experienced Legal Help
Acting quickly protects both your health and your legal rights. The steps above, taken in order, preserve evidence, prevent costly mistakes, and strengthen whatever path forward you choose.
Kirtland & Packard has been representing Southern Californians in serious personal injury cases since the 1930s. As a law firm in Redondo Beach serving clients across the South Bay, Los Angeles, and Orange County, we offer free consultations and home visits for clients whose injuries prevent them from traveling.
If a commercial vehicle was involved in your crash, contact a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer from our team; truck accident claims involve additional insurance layers and federal regulations that require a different approach from the start.
We handle cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call (310) 536-1000, available 24/7, or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Se habla español.
This article provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact an attorney to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to see a doctor if I don't feel injured?
Yes. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries often produce few or no symptoms in the first hours after a crash. A physician's evaluation creates a dated medical record linking injuries to the accident, which an insurer cannot easily dispute.
What information should I exchange after a car accident?
Collect the full name, phone number, address, driver's license number, insurance company, policy number, vehicle registration, and license plate of every driver. Also get contact information from any witnesses and the badge number of any responding officer.
When should I contact a car accident lawyer?
As early as possible, and always before speaking to the other driver's insurer, accepting a settlement, or signing any medical authorization. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, commercial vehicles, or uninsured drivers especially benefit from early legal involvement.
Can I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
Not without careful consideration. First offers routinely arrive before the full extent of injuries is known and before future medical costs can be calculated. Once you accept and sign a release, your claim is typically closed permanently.