Car accidents happen in a matter of seconds, but the consequences can last months, years, or even a lifetime. Whether you’re dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, property damage, or financial disruption, what you do immediately following a collision has a direct impact on your health, your safety, and your ability to recover compensation under California law.
This comprehensive guide explains the most important steps you should take after a car accident in California — from the crash scene to dealing with insurance companies — and why each step matters for your personal injury claim.
Why Your Actions After a Collision Matter
California operates under a fault-based car accident system, meaning the party responsible for causing the crash is also responsible for the harm. Insurance companies know this — and they actively work to reduce or deny claims.
Your behavior and the evidence you gather after an accident will determine:
- Whether liability can be proven
- How much the insurance company will pay
- Whether a lawsuit may be required
- The strength of your testimony if a dispute arises
- Your physical and medical recovery
Taking the right steps protects both your health and your legal rights.
✅ Step 1: Check for Injuries & Call 911
The first priority is safety. Check yourself, passengers, and others for injuries.
When to call 911 in California
Call emergency services if:
- Anyone is injured, even slightly
- You suspect internal injuries or head trauma
- Vehicles block traffic or pose danger
- There’s a fire or hazardous conditions
- The other driver appears intoxicated
California Vehicle Code §20008 requires reporting injury accidents to law enforcement within 24 hours — and calling 911 documents the event immediately.
Tip: Even if injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask pain. Err on the side of caution and request medical attention.
✅ Step 2: Move to Safety but Do Not Leave the Scene
If vehicles are drivable and safe to move, pull to the side of the road. If not, remain inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives unless it’s unsafe (fire, smoke, water, etc.).
Do not leave the accident scene
Leaving without exchanging information can result in hit-and-run charges under California Vehicle Code §§20001-20002.
✅ Step 3: Call the Police and Request a Collision Report
Always request a police response for:
- Injury accidents
- Hit-and-run situations
- Suspected DUI
- Disputes or driver hostility
Officers document critical facts, including:
- Parties involved
- Fault indicators
- Witness statements
- Road conditions
- Vehicle damage
This Traffic Collision Report is one of the most important documents in a personal injury case.
If police refuse to come (common in minor crashes), go to the CHP office or your local police station and file a report yourself.
✅ Step 4: Exchange Information With All Drivers
California law requires exchanging:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle Registration
- Insurance company & policy number
- License plate number
Take photos of licenses and insurance cards to avoid transcription errors.
✅ Step 5: Collect Evidence at the Scene
Evidence disappears fast. The more proof you gather, the stronger your case.
Important evidence to document:
Take clear photos of:
- Vehicle damage (all sides)
- License plates
- Street signs & intersections
- Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Traffic signals and signage
- Visible injuries
- Weather and lighting
Ask witnesses for:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Written or recorded statement (if they agree)
Why this matters
Insurance companies often argue:
- Your injuries are unrelated
- Damage was pre-existing or minimal
- You were partially or fully at fault
Your evidence stops them from rewriting the story.
✅ Step 6: Avoid Discussing Fault
Never say:
- “I’m sorry”
- “I didn’t see you”
- “It was my fault”
Even polite comments can be twisted against you. Stick to facts.
You do not have to explain the accident to the other driver or their insurer. Save your statements for:
- Law enforcement
- Medical providers
- Your attorney
✅ Step 7: Seek Immediate Medical Care
Many crash injuries do not appear right away — especially:
- Whiplash
- Back and neck injuries
- Concussions and brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Soft-tissue injuries
Delaying treatment allows insurers to argue you weren’t really hurt.
Go to:
- ER (if serious harm suspected)
- Urgent care
- Primary care physician
Tell providers your pain started after the collision and request full diagnostic testing if symptoms persist.
✅ Step 8: Notify Your Insurance Company
California insurance policies require timely notice of accidents. Report the collision but do not provide detailed statements or admit fault.
Say only:
“I was in a collision and there were injuries. I am still collecting information and will provide details later.”
If the other driver’s insurance calls — don’t give a recorded statement. They are trained to get you to say something that minimizes your claim.
✅ Step 9: Document Everything
Start a file and save:
- Medical bills
- Prescription receipts
- Proof of lost wages
- Repair estimates
- Tow bills
- Rental car receipts
- Photos & videos
- Police/CHP reports
- Insurance correspondence
Also keep a pain journal documenting:
- Your symptoms
- Limitations
- Emotional impact
- Missed work or life activities
This record is powerful evidence in injury claims.
✅ Step 10: Get Your Vehicle Inspected & Repaired Properly
Do not rush into a quick settlement on property damage or use an insurer-recommended shop without research. You have the right to choose your repair facility under California law.
✅ Step 11: Do Not Post on Social Media
Insurance investigators monitor victims online. Photos, comments, or even check-ins can be used against you.
Avoid posting:
- Crash photos
- Gym workouts
- Travel photos
- Dancing or sports activity
- Statements like “I feel fine”
Until your case concludes, social media silence is best.
✅ Step 12: Consult a California Personal Injury Attorney
California accident laws, medical billing systems, insurance regulations, and damage calculation methods are complex. Accident victims with attorneys typically recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims alone.
An experienced California injury lawyer can:
- Investigate fault
- Preserve evidence
- Obtain police/body-cam footage
- Handle insurance adjusters
- Coordinate medical care & billing
- Calculate fair compensation
- File a lawsuit if needed
You pay no fees upfront — injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning you only pay if you win.
California Statutes to Know After a Crash
| Issue | Rule |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file injury claim (statute of limitations) | 2 years (CCP §335.1) |
| Deadline for property-damage claim | 3 years |
| Hit-and-run reporting rule | VC §§20001-20002 |
| Must file SR-1 form w/ DMV if injuries or $1k+ damage | Within 10 days (VC §16000) |
Missing deadlines can bar your right to recover damages.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
Avoid:
- Admitting fault
- Delaying medical treatment
- Accepting early low settlements
- Providing recorded statements
- Missing deadlines
- Relying on verbal promises from adjusters
Insurance companies are not on your side — they are trained to limit payouts.
When to File a Lawsuit
Most California car accident cases settle without trial. But legal action may be necessary if:
- Liability is disputed
- Insurance denies or delays payment
- Medical bills exceed policy limits
- Injuries are serious or permanent
- The driver was uninsured or underinsured
An attorney evaluates when litigation may increase recovery.
Your Rights After a Car Accident in California
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or impairment
- Property damage
- Rental vehicle costs
- Loss of quality of life
Wrongful death damages are available for surviving family members when a crash causes fatal injuries.
Final Thoughts
No one plans to be in a car accident, but knowing what to do protects your health, your future, and your financial security. Each step — from calling 911 to consulting an attorney — strengthens your ability to recover full and fair compensation.
Even minor mistakes can give insurance companies ammunition to deny or undervalue your claim. Protect yourself by acting quickly, documenting evidence, getting medical care, and seeking legal guidance early.
Need Help After a Car Accident in California?
If you’ve been injured in a collision, don’t face insurance companies alone. A skilled California personal injury attorney can help you navigate medical treatment, preserve evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
You focus on healing — let a legal professional handle the rest.