After a collision, you will likely feel overwhelmed and disoriented. However, the things you do after an accident can make a significant difference in the success of your claim or lawsuit.

Here are some steps you should take if you are involved in a car crash in California:

• Call 911 to inform about the accident, even if it’s a fender bender. If dispatched, a police officer will look into the scene and speak to everyone involved and eyewitnesses. They’ll use this information to complete an accident report, which will be crucial evidence if you submit an insurance claim or an injury lawsuit.
• Exchange information. You should trade contact and insurance information from people in the accident and any eyewitnesses. If police are on the site, they’ll do this for you if you are unable or uncomfortable to do so.
• Gather details from the accident. You should take photos and videos of the scene, including property damage, skid marks, the location of each vehicle, etc.
• Seek prompt medical attention, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries may be undetectable without medical testing or present symptoms much later. Additionally, seeing a medical professional right after the accident will establish a causal link between the car accident and your injuries, which is vital proof in a claim or lawsuit.
• Contact a car accident lawyer to discuss your accident and explore your options for recovering compensation. Even if you think you were partially to blame for the accident, an attorney can look over the cause of the accident to make sure that you aren’t unfairly blamed.

There are other things you must do such as reporting it to the DMV.

Car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no upfront payment to retain our services. We only receive attorney’s fees if we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor. During your free initial consultation, we’ll go over our fee agreement with you and what you can expect.

For most car accident lawsuits in California is two years. This is true regardless of whether the crash results in injury or passing.

While there are times when the deadline will be different, it’s the exception and not the rule. Make sure you file your lawsuit on time. If you wait too long, you will give up the right to get critical compensation for your injuries.

Many laws in California will affect your claim after a car accident, including the compensation you can recover and the deadline to file a lawsuit.

Here are some important California laws to consider when filing your claim:

• At-Fault Insurance Laws: California is an at-fault auto insurance state. Every driver in California must carry minimum bodily injury liability insurance of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident to cover others for injuries caused by the insured. After a car accident, the injured party will submit a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company to get compensation for their medical bills and other losses.
• Statute of Limitations: This refers to the amount of time you have to initiate a lawsuit after their accident or injury. Most car accident lawsuits in California must be filed within two years of the accident date. If you miss the deadline that applies to your case, you will forfeit your right to seek injury compensation.
• Pure Comparative Negligence: People can still get compensation if they were partly to blame for the accident or their injuries. However, California’s pure comparative fault rules will reduce their damages by their percentage of accountability. For example, if you’re 60% responsible for the accident, your award will be reduced by 60%.

California injury laws can be complicated. Making a mistake could mean that you don’t get the compensation you need after an accident. You need a skillful car accident attorney on your side to help you navigate the legal proceeding and preserve your right to compensation.

All California drivers who are in a collision must stop and interchange information with other involved parties. Otherwise, you could be charged with a hit and run, which is a crime. 

You may have several options if a driver hits you and then leaves. First, you should call 911 immediately after the accident. 

Law enforcement may be able to locate the at-fault driver. For example, there may be video surveillance of the accident, or an eyewitness may have taken down their license plate. If the police can identify the driver, you can proceed with an insurance claim.

If police cannot recognize or locate the other driver, you may have options through your own insurer. You should speak about this to your insurance and ask about your available coverage. 

If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, it may include the hit-and-run.

However, these types of insurance are optional in California, so you may not have them. 

Another option is to point out a third party who may share responsibility for your hit-and-run. For example, a government agency may be liable if a hazardous road defect contributed to the accident. A manufacturer may share blame if a defective auto part contributed to the crash.