Car accidents have become a serious problem in the United States, taking the lives of about 40,000 people annually. Every year, approximately 6 million car accidents happen throughout the nation. Unfortunately, about 3 million people are hurt in these crashes per year. Alarmingly, the majority of these wrecks are preventable and caused by negligent drivers. Speaking with a California car accident lawyer is so important if you have been injured in an accident that was caused by another driver.
In the state of California, almost 500,000 annual traffic collisions are reported. These crashes cause injuries to over 200,000 people each year. Sadly, the lives of more than 4,000 people are cut short each year due to these accidents. California sees more car crashes per year than almost any other state in the country. The majority of these accidents happen due to distracted, intoxicated, or speeding drivers.
If you or someone you love were hurt in a car crash, there are several important steps to take immediately following your accident. If you are unsure of where to start, we can help you out. Continue reading to learn more about what you should do immediately after an auto accident.
- Call 911 and get to safety
Depending on the severity of your injuries, get to the safest possible location after your accident. This is obviously the very first step that should be taken after your crash. Once you are in the safest spot your situation will allow, call 911 and provide them with a precise location of where to find you. (“in the right-hand turning lane heading south on North 65th Street,” for example.) If your injuries are severe, you obviously need to go to the hospital before you do anything else. Once you have received the proper medical care, you can then contact the authorities and inform them of your situation.
- Exchange Insurance Information
If you are physically able, it is vital to exchange insurance information with any other involved drivers in order to ensure that the damages that resulted from the crash are appropriately taken care of. Otherwise, you risk complications arising when it is time to decide who is responsible for the accident. Despite what actually happened at the crash scene, it is wise to never admit fault to any other drivers involved. In general, exchange minimal conversation with anyone else involved in the crash in order to avoid having anything you say used against you at a later time. This is especially true if anyone is recording the event with their phone.
- File a Police Report
When the police get to the crash scene, make sure you are able to communicate to them that you need a copy of the police report filed on the crash. Take down the name of the officer, the number of the police report, and any specific instructions the police give you concerning how to retrieve information about your accident. Having easy access to the police officer’s evaluation of the incident can help you influence your case if/when you choose to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you choose not to file a police report at the scene of the crash, you have 24 hours in which to file the report in the state of California. The law says that any accident that results in $1,000 or more of property damage, injuries, or if either vehicle was towed from the scene must be reported to the authorities.
- Take Pictures at the Scene
This is one of the most important steps to take after a crash. In order to correctly convey the gravity of the crash, photographic proof is most effective. Take pictures of any/all visible damage, including on the other party’s vehicle. If you have visible injuries, take pictures of those as well. After you have a handful of pictures, it is best to do a video walkthrough of the crash scene if you can. This will let you present a perspective of the incident that is accurate, and you may discover evidence that was initially missed.
- Talk to Witnesses
If any witnesses are present at the crash scene, make sure that you talk to them and ask them to tell you what they saw. Take note of the following information:
- Witness full name
- When you talked to them
- Details about what they saw (the order in which the events transpired, etc)
If you are unable to write down information, you may be able to record your conversation with any/all witnesses instead, as long as you have their permission. If the witness agrees to the recording, make sure they clearly state the date, their full name, the time of the recording, and any/all details of the accident. Email the recordings to yourself so you’re able to access them whenever you need to.
- Seek Medical Care
Even if you look and feel okay, seeking medical care after you leave the crash scene is vital. This will not only ensure that you are okay from a professional medical standpoint, but it will also create a legal record of any injuries you may have sustained in the accident. It will also ensure that any underlying physical complications that were not immediately apparent are able to be appropriately cared for. Some injuries take hours or even days to fully present themselves and are not noticeable unless you are a medical professional, which is why it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident.
- Contact a Lawyer
It is best to consult a lawyer as soon as possible if you suffered injuries in a car accident that was not your fault or if someone is attempting to place the blame on you. An experienced car crash attorney in California can help you get the full amount of compensation available to you for your injuries and losses. You may be eligible for financial compensation for a long list of damages, including medical care, vehicle repairs, wage loss, and more. A lawyer can also defend you against any claims that you were at fault. Even a brief consultation with an attorney can help prevent further challenges.
Knowing what steps to take after a serious accident can seem difficult and overwhelming. However, it does not have to be. With the above information, you will be well on your way to properly handling the situation in a timely and thorough manner.
