What to Do After a Car Accident in California: Expert Legal Advice

Car accidents can be high-stress and chaotic events. If you’ve been in a car crash, especially in California with its many laws and agencies, it can become very difficult to know what to do and what your rights are.

Your main interest after the event should be immediately ensuring that you and any passengers involved are safe and secure.

Here are the next crucial steps for you to take, both for your health and your legal well-being, according to the experts at the Law Offices of Gerald Marcus in California.

Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Help

After an accident, the first priority is safety. Check yourself and the others involved for injuries. If there are serious injuries, call 911 without delay. Even if you seem to have only minor injuries, it’s a good idea to have everyone checked by medical personnel.

Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent. Whiplash, for example, is often not felt until many hours after the initial impact.

Move to a Safe Location and Call Law Enforcement

In the event of a minor accident with no serious injuries, move your automobile to a secure place, like the roadside, to avoid additional mishaps. Activate hazard lights and use any available warning triangles or flares.

In California, if an accident involves injuries, death, or significant property damage, you are legally required to report it to the police. The police report will be an essential piece of evidence for insurance claims and possibly for legal actions.

Exchange Information

Collect and exchange the following documentation and info with the other parties involved:

• Name, address, and phone number
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicle registration information
• Insurance company and policy number
• License plate number
• Contact details of any witnesses (as their statements may help establish fault).
• Document the scene

Avoid Admitting Fault

When conversing with other motorists, onlookers, or law enforcement, it is important to be careful with your words. Do not say anything that might be construed as an admission of fault, even if you think you may have played a role in the roadway collision.

Determining who or what is liable after an accident is a job for the insurance companies and the police. You have enough to think about without adding possible liability to your distress.

Consult a Personal Injury Attorney

If you got hurt or are having trouble with your insurance claims, then it is smart to talk to a lawyer. A personal injury attorney can help you figure out who is responsible and who should pay, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and, if necessary, fight for you in court. Many offer free initial consultations to answer any questions you might have and what you should expect moving forward.

Understand California’s Comparative Fault Law

The state of California adheres to a system of comparative fault. This means that when a jury assigns a percentage of fault to the parties involved, you can still recover damages even if you share some amount of fault.

Of course, your percentage of fault will reduce your recovery amount, but a skilled personal injury attorney can point the finger at the other party and increase your chances of a larger recovery verdict.

The Law Offices of Gerald Marcus in California Are Ready and Waiting to Assist You

Following the correct procedure after a car collision in California can have a tremendous effect on your right to damages and the ease with which you navigate the legal system. Whether it was a minor fender-bender with a dispute over fault or a major accident with serious injuries, it is crucial to the success of your case to partner with a trusted, experienced legal firm that specializes in accidents.