Being involved in a car collision is a scary experience. While the severity of the accident and your crash injuries may vary from minor cases to major ones, you must still take necessary measures that can help protect your rights and strengthen your personal injury claim.
Assess your condition and dial 911
After your accident, you need to stay alert and evaluate your head and body for signs of injury or trauma. Call 911 to seek urgent help and inform them of your condition.
While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, you must also exchange contact information and insurance details with the other party. If there are other people in the vicinity who have witnessed the crash, request their contact details too.
Notify the police and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Under California car accident laws, you need to report your accident to the local police and the DMV if it involves an injury, death or over $1,000 in property damage. These two reports help create an official record of your crash.
Keep in mind that the form you need to complete for the California DMV is separate from the police report. If you do not submit this report within ten days from the date of your accident, your driver’s license may be suspended.
Go to the hospital
After receiving first aid treatment from the paramedics and contacting the local police, you must seek prompt medical care for your crash injuries.
Make sure to keep a copy of all your medical records, test results and receipts. You will use these documents as evidence when you file your personal injury claim.
Gather proof of the crash
If you could not take photos and videos of the accident when it occurred, you can return to the scene after receiving your medical treatment. You can do this on your own or with the help of a car accident attorney.
You can also strengthen your claim by adding witness statements, official crash reports and dashcam footage of the incident.
Call your insurance company
As a last step, you must call your insurance provider to inform them of the car accident. Stick to the objective facts and refrain from discussing your injuries or who you think was at fault in the crash.
Proactiveness can lead to better results
By prioritizing your health and taking time to learn about the state’s car accident compensation laws, you can protect your rights and file your claim within the given legal timeline.
This practice not only helps minimize any errors along the way but also helps smoothen your whole personal injury claims process.
