What To Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
If you were recently injured in a Los Angeles car accident, you probably want a simple answer: what should I do now?
Here are the five most important steps to take after a crash.
1. Get to Safety and Call 911
Move to a safe location if you can. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away. You should also request law enforcement if there is major property damage, a hit-and-run, a dispute about fault, or the other driver is trying to leave.
If police respond, ask how to get the traffic collision report. That report can become important evidence later.
2. Get Medical Care Quickly
Do not wait to see if the pain goes away. Many car accident injuries get worse over the next few days, especially neck, back, shoulder, knee, and head injuries.
Go to urgent care, the ER, or your doctor if you have pain, dizziness, headaches, numbness, tingling, stiffness, or trouble moving normally. Fast medical care protects your health and creates a record tying your injuries to the crash.
3. Take Photos and Get Information
If you can do so safely, take photos and videos before the vehicles are moved. Capture the vehicle damage, license plates, street signs, lane markings, traffic signals, debris, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
Get the other driver’s name, phone number, driver’s license, insurance information, license plate, and vehicle information. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers too.
4. Be Careful With Insurance Calls
Report the crash to your own insurance company, but keep it simple and factual. Do not guess, admit fault, or give a detailed recorded statement before you understand your rights.
The other driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly. They may sound helpful, but their goal is to limit what they pay. Do not accept a quick settlement if you are still treating or do not yet know how serious your injuries are.
5. Talk to a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured, speak with a personal injury lawyer early. A lawyer can deal with the insurance companies, preserve evidence, investigate fault, review available insurance coverage, and help make sure your medical treatment and damages are properly documented.
This is especially important if you went to the ER or urgent care, still have pain, missed work, fault is disputed, the other driver was uninsured, or the insurance company is pressuring you to settle.
What Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
Depending on the case, an injured person may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
The value of a claim depends on the facts, including the severity of the injuries, the available insurance coverage, liability, medical treatment, and how the crash affected your life.
Call a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
If you were recently injured in a Los Angeles car accident, you do not have to deal with the insurance process alone. The Law Offices of Asher Hoffman represents injured people throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.
Contact our office for a free consultation. We can review what happened, explain your options, and help you understand the next steps.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
