The hours after a crash shape your entire claim. Follow these steps to protect your health and your rights.
1. Stop, Stay Safe, and Check for Injuries
California law requires you to stop after any collision involving injury or property damage. Move to a safe location if you can, turn on hazard lights, and check yourself and others for injuries before doing anything else.
Never leave the scene of an injury crash — doing so can turn a civil matter into a criminal hit-and-run charge.
2. Call 911 and Report the Crash
Call police and paramedics for any injury or significant damage. A police report creates an official, neutral record that insurers and courts rely on. In California you must also report crashes involving injury, death, or over $1,000 in damage to the DMV within 10 days.
Even if you feel fine, request that officers respond. Adrenaline routinely masks serious injuries in the first hours.
3. Document Everything at the Scene
Photograph all vehicles, license plates, the overall scene, road conditions, traffic signals, and your visible injuries. Get the other driver's name, license, insurance, and contact details, and collect names and numbers of any witnesses.
This evidence vanishes fast. The photos you take in the first ten minutes are often the most valuable in your entire case.
4. Seek Medical Care Right Away
See a doctor the same day if possible, even for minor symptoms. Some injuries — concussions, soft-tissue damage, internal bleeding — appear hours or days later. Prompt care protects your health and links your injuries to the crash.
Gaps in treatment are the single most common argument insurers use to devalue a claim.
5. Be Careful What You Say to Insurers
You must report the crash to your own insurer, but you are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement. Adjusters are trained to get you to minimize injuries or admit partial fault. Politely decline recorded statements until you have advice.
Never accept a fast settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries.
6. Talk to an Attorney Before You Settle
A free consultation helps you understand your claim's value, preserve evidence, and avoid costly mistakes. Most California injury attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless they win.
The earlier you involve a lawyer, the more they can do to protect the value of your claim.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California attorney.