5 Things to Do Right After a Car Accident in California
Getting into a car accident is stressful, and what you do in the first minutes and hours afterward can affect your health, your finances, and any claim you may decide to bring later. California has specific rules about reporting crashes and preserving evidence. Here are five practical steps to keep in mind.
1. Stop and Check for Injuries
California law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop and remain at the scene. If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and check on everyone involved. If anyone is injured or the scene is unsafe, call 911. Even in minor fender benders, it is often wise to ask responding officers for a police report, because it creates an official written record of what happened.
2. Exchange Information
California’s hit-and-run rules (Vehicle Code 20002) require the drivers involved to exchange names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and current insurance information, including the policy number. If the other driver refuses to cooperate, stay calm, call the police, and note their license plate so you can provide it to officers.
3. Seek Medical Care
Some crash injuries, such as whiplash, back and neck pain, and concussions, may not show up for hours or days. Seeing a doctor promptly does two things: it protects your health, and it creates a medical record that links your injuries to the crash. That record can matter a great deal later if you seek compensation, so describe every symptom, even ones that seem minor.
4. Report the Accident to Police and the DMV
If a police officer did not investigate the crash and someone was injured or killed, California law requires you to report the accident to the police or the California Highway Patrol within 24 hours. In addition, you must file Form SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days when a crash causes injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. The DMV can suspend your license if you do not file on time, so do not assume the other driver will handle it.
5. Notify Your Insurance and Preserve Evidence
Contact your own insurance company promptly, because most auto policies require you to report an accident quickly. Preserve evidence while it is fresh: photograph both vehicles and the scene from several angles, write down your own account of what happened, collect witness names and phone numbers, and request a copy of the police report once it becomes available. Avoid posting about the accident on social media, since anything you write can be used against you later.
Remember the Two-Year Deadline
In California, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit over a car accident is generally two years from the date of the crash (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). A few exceptions can change that deadline, but do not count on them. Keep good records, follow up on your medical care, and act promptly.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice.