What Should you do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles?

Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence in Los Angeles. Each year, about 54,000 car accidents occur, which equates to 150 collisions every day. These alarming statistics rank it as one of the most car accident-prone cities in the United States.

Therefore, if you are a Los Angeles driver, you need to know what you should do if you are involved in a car accident. Following these steps may help you take care of your health and give you a better chance of obtaining compensation after the crash.

Check for Injuries

Right after the crash, the first thing you should do is check for injuries. If you are seriously injured, try not to move and wait for an ambulance. 

Check on your Passengers

If you aren’t alone in your car, after checking yourself, check the condition of the other passengers in the vehicle. In case someone has suffered a severe injury, call an ambulance immediately.

Move to a Safe Place

Los Angeles is a very traffic-heavy city. The accident may have occurred in a busy area. If so, try to move to the side of the road. If your car doesn’t work after the crash, leave it where it is and walk to a safe location. 

Call 911 as Soon as Possible

Regardless of how minor the accident was, you should always call 911 after a collision. Inform them about the number of injuries so that they can send enough ambulances to the scene of the crash. If necessary, get the first aid you need to treat your injuries.

Calling 911 is especially important because they will also send police officers to assess the situation. The officers will make a report based on the available evidence. During your compensation claim, this report will be vital in determining who was at fault for the accident, and therefore, who should pay for the damages.

Exchange Information with the other Driver

Once you make sure, no one is at risk, exchange contact information with the other driver. Be sure to write down the essential details, such as the person’s full name, phone number, license plate number, insurance company contact information, etc.

Document the Accident

If possible, gather as much information as you can at the scene of the accident. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle from various angles. Document your injuries. Also, try to obtain the contact information of any direct witnesses in the area. All this evidence may be helpful to your attorney later in the litigation process.

Seek Medical Attention

Your health is your most important asset. Even if you think you are uninjured, you should see a doctor anyway. Some injuries are not apparent to the naked eye, such as soft tissue injuries, and could have a devastating long-term impact if left untreated.

Also, seeing a doctor is an essential step in receiving compensation. Apart from treating your injuries, the doctor will issue a medical report that you can use in your claim to obtain compensation for your injuries.

Notify your Insurance Company

While at the accident scene, you should notify your insurer and explain in detail what happened. You may obtain helpful information, such as the medical expenses covered by your policy.

Contact a LA Car Accident Lawyer

Finally, you should contact a reputable Los Angeles car accident lawyer, such as C&B Law Group. In these types of difficult situations, having the expert advice of a seasoned attorney is invaluable.

The attorney will handle the entire litigation process and will even represent you in court if necessary.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

The minutes after a car accident are crucial. What you do at this time can be the difference between getting the compensation you need or getting nothing at all. After a collision, you should also keep the following in mind:

Don’t Admit Fault

Even if you believe you were at fault for the accident, admitting guilt at the scene of the crash is a terrible idea. Don’t apologize for what happened, even if it seems like the nice thing to do. Wait for the officers to determine who was responsible for the wreck.

Don’t Leave the Scene

One of the worst things you could do after a crash is to leave the scene. In such cases, the officers may classify the incident as a hit and run accident, and you could face jail time as a result.

Don’t Talk to an Insurance Adjuster without an Attorney

Do not agree to talk to an insurance adjuster before you speak to an attorney. Although they may seem friendly, these individuals will try to convince you to accept a “quick settlement,” which is often far less than what you need and deserve.

Working with an attorney can help you maximize the value of your claim and bring you peace of mind during the process. To find out what a Los Angeles Car accident attorney can do for you, visit https://legalfacts.org/car-accident-attorneys/

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