Being involved in a car accident in California can be confusing and scary, whether it’s a rollover or fender bender. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, take these steps.
Call the Police
If it’s not a serious car accident, there’s no need to call 911. You can call non-emergency police or the highway patrol. Even if the car accident occurred on private property, a police report can be beneficial should you need to pursue a court claim. A police report provides a third party, neutral perspective on the accident. The responding officer can also facilitate the exchange of insurance and personal information. This makes the process easier during a stressful situation. You will receive the report number and you’ll be able to contact the proper precinct in a few days to request a copy of your report.
Take Photos of the Damage to Involved Vehicles and the Scene
This is one of the best ways that you can document the car accident. This is crucial because if you decide to pursue a court case, it can take weeks or sometimes months to get on the docket. Over time, we forget the little details. Taking photos of the damage to the involved vehicles and of the scene can be beneficial to your case. The insurance companies may also request to see your photos. Make sure that you save digital copies onto a cloud drive or other secure place in the event that your phone malfunctions and you can no longer access those images.
Seek Medical Attention
It is important that you obtain medical attention if you’re hurt in a car accident in California. Of course, if you’re seriously injured, you should call 911. If you have a minor injury or think you’re not hurt at all, you should still get checked out. Internal injuries often have no symptoms until they become dangerous. When you’re in a wreck, your body releases adrenaline and you could be hurt an
d just not recognize it. Waiting to get medical attention can make your injuries worse. Getting immediate medical attention can also help protect your claim if you decide to file a lawsuit. Waiting to get medical care may cause the insurance company or the other party to believe that you weren’t actually hurt in the accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as you can, contact your insurance company to let them know about the wreck. They may want you to provide them the police report number and any information that you have about the other party involved. Just remember not to sign anything from the insurance company without first talking with a licensed Orange County auto accident attorney because you could sign away your right to sue or not get a fair amount for your claims.
Talk to an Orange County Car Accident Attorney
It’s important that you speak with an Orange County car accident attorney so that you can understand be ready to protect your legal rights. Car accident claims are time sensitive. Make sure that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after your car accident.
For more information on how to pursue a potential auto accident claim or to discuss your potential financial recovery, contact the experienced accident attorneys at Dennis Law Firm for a free consultation.