What to Do After A Car Accident: Legal Rights and Next Steps

Being in a car accident can be a scary and overwhelming experience. Once the initial shock wears off, you’re faced with figuring out what to do next. Should you call the police? Exchange insurance information? Get medical treatment? Notify your insurance company? The answers depend on the details of your unique situation.

At G&I Law Group, our attorneys have extensive experience advising car accident victims in California. We’re here to explain your legal rights and the steps to take after an auto collision.

Seek Medical Care

Your health should be your first priority. Even if you don’t have obvious injuries, see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Symptoms of concussions, soft tissue damage, and other problems can take time to manifest. Getting prompt medical care creates a record of your condition and treatment in case you need to file an injury claim later.

Exchange Information

Get contact and insurance details from the other involved drivers. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance providers/policy numbers. Note the make, model, color and year of the vehicles as well. Having this information can help facilitate the claims process later.

Document Evidence

Take photos of property damage, skid marks, injuries, and anything else relevant to how the crash occurred. Get contact information for any witnesses who saw what happened. The more evidence you can gather, the better. This could boost the value of an injury claim.

Avoid Speculating on Fault

It’s important not to assign blame or accept responsibility for the accident until you’ve had time to fully assess the situation. Anything you say at the scene could come back to haunt you later. Be cooperative with authorities, but avoid speculating about fault or making any statements that could be construed as admitting guilt. Your best bet is to stick to the facts and leave determinations of liability to insurers, police, and legal professionals. An experienced car accident attorney can guide you on what information to provide and what to avoid saying to protect your rights.

When Should I Contact an Attorney?

It’s wise to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you think you may not need representation. An attorney can advise you on the laws, preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies, determine liability and damages, and protect your rights. They can let you know if they feel you have a viable case worth pursuing. If you wait too long, you could miss deadlines for insurance claims, lose access to key evidence and witnesses, or reduce your chances of obtaining full compensation.

Insurance companies do everything to take advantage of unrepresented claimants. They will downplay your injuries and undervalue your claims. DO NOT try to take on insurance companies on your own. At G&I Law Group, our attorneys have extensive experience combating the egregious tactics used by insurance companies against unsuspecting claimants.

Consult a Lawyer

Speaking with an experienced car accident attorney is highly recommended, even if you don’t think you have a case. An attorney can advise you on your legal options, determine fault and liability, negotiate a fair settlement, and file a lawsuit if necessary. At G&I Law Group, we offer free consultations for car accident victims in California. Let us review your case details and help you recover maximum compensation.