Car Accident Advice

If you are involved in a Los Angeles car accident, or a car accident anywhere in the San Fernando Valley or state of California, you will want to know what to do!

A car accident can be a frightening experience, so it is important to be prepared so that you know how to respond. Here are some general helpful tips and advice (see disclaimer at bottom):

1. Be prepared in case of a car accident– Although you may not want to think about getting in a car accident, it is possible it could happen to you. If it does happen, it can be helpful if you have certain materials in the car. This can include keeping the following in your car:
   • Cellphone
   • Pen or Pencil with a small notepad
   • Flashlight
   • First aid Kit
   • Insurance card
2. Check for Injuries- Check everyone involved for any injuries. If someone needs urgent medical care, stop and immediately call 911 for assistance.
3. Call the Police– If the car accident is not your fault, it is important to call the police and obtain a police report so that you have proof the incident was not your fault.

This report is often called a "Traffic Collision Report". It can take time to wait for the police or CHP to arrive and make the report, but the wait is worth it—having the report saves considerable time in the long run. This report is so important because many times the party who caused the accident admits fault at the scene but later changes their story. Having a clear police report or traffic collision report can prevent this potential problem.

The police report can include details that both illustrate you are not at fault (such as a description of the location of the vehicles or witness observations) and list the injuries you suffered. It is crucial to tell police officers all pains and injuries you feel, even if they seem small—small injuries can get worse later on and early documentation of all injuries often is very helpful in proving they were caused by the crash.

4. Move to Safe Area and Document the Accident- If possible, move all vehicles to the side of the road in a safe area so that you can avoid further danger. Turn on your hazard flashers and use other warning devices, such as cones or flares, if you have them. If the location of the vehicles immediately following the accident is crucial to prove the other party at fault, wait for the police or take pictures and video on your phone of the vehicles from different angles before moving them (be sure to only do this if you can do so safely). These photographs or video can come in handy if you have to defend your case.
5. Exchange information–It is important to get information from those involved in the car accident. Obtain the all names and contact information for:
   • The driver and owner of each car, truck or other vehicle involved in this collision.
   • Any witnesses
   • Other passengers

   If possible, try to get the following information:

   • A copy the other person's driver's license information and insurance card (this is best done by taking photos of the driver's licenses and insurance information cards using the camera function of your cell phone. This is an excellent way to preserve information, but also write it all down to be 100% safe!)
   • Employment contact information if other driver was working at the time of this incident
   • License plate number (take photos, too);
   • vehicle description (make, model, color)
   • Pictures of anything written on the other vehicle such as company names, telephone numbers, logos or other identifying information;
   • Location of all property damage (both from this collision and any other damage that looks unrelated and/or preexisting).

   As mentioned, the best way to get the above information is by using your cellphone to take pictures or video. However, to be sure that the information is safe and won’t be lost, immediately email or upload the photos or video so they are safe even if something happens to your device.

6. Be Prepared when Giving a Statement- When giving a statement to the police, be courteous and polite and try to remain calm. Never admit fault or liability because there may be other factors that occurred that you may not yet know about. It is best to conduct an investigation before coming to any conclusions as the other party may have been speeding or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are injured in the accident, an insurer may call to get a statement. DO NOT give any statements to any insurer until you first consult with an experienced California Car Accident Attorney.
7. Take notes- If possible, write down what happened and even sketch a summary of what occurred. Write down the facts of what you believe caused this accident. Do this right away if you can, as you may forget certain important details if you wait.
8. File all required reports- After the accident you will be required to file certain reports with the police, your insurance company, and the DMV. In the case of a hit and run accident or an uninsured motorist claim you will need to have a police report and submit the correct forms to the DMV (SR-1 and SR-19 forms). Again, be careful when talking to or filing a report with insurance companies.
9. Contact an Experienced California Car Accident Attorney- Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be difficult and time consuming. If you are injured, it can feel especially overwhelming. Instead of trying to tackle all the details of your case, reach out to a skilled California Car Accident attorney who can help you. An attorney can assist in filing the abovementioned reports, assist in dealing with the insurance companies and provide statements, and assist in getting you compensation for any injuries or property damaged that you suffered as a result of the accident. Reach out as soon as possible because waiting can result in missing the deadline to file your claim.
10. File a Personal Injury Claim- If anyone involved suffered any injury requiring medical care, your attorney can help you bring a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injuries and other losses. The experienced attorneys at Walch Law have help car accident clients receive compensation for their personal injuries and other losses suffered as a result of a car crash for years. We can assist you in bringing your personal injury claim and handle all the details involved. We offer a FREE Case consultation to go over your car accident personal injury case. Call 818-222-3400 or toll free 866 Injury 2 (1-866-465-8792) or complete our Contact Form or send us an email at info@WalchLaw.com to set up your appointment!

The initial consultation is FREE and on injury cases there is NO fee with our firm UNTIL you win, So contact Walch Law today!

Disclaimer

The information contained in this Website is provided for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter or any particular claim or case. No recipients of content from this site, clients or otherwise should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in the site without first seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a California Car Accident Attorney or an attorney licensed in the recipient's state. The content of this Website contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments, strategy, laws, verdicts or settlements. These Attorneys and Firm expressly disclaim all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this general page and entire Website. All rights reserved.

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