33 million vehicles are registered in the state of California. That’s a lot of potential for accidents. While we hope you never find yourself in a car accident, it’s important to know what to do if the unexpected happens.
There are so many things to think about and actions to take right away – let alone figuring out where to begin. Your trusted Los Angeles car accident attorney from Cz.Law will explain there are several things you need to do after a car accident if you want to protect your legal rights and recover maximum compensation for your medical bills and other damages:
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Immediately After a Car Accident: What to Do and Who to Call
When involved in an accident, you should:
- Make sure no one is injured,
- Try to move the vehicles out of traffic if possible,
- Exchange information with any other drivers or passengers (this includes name, address, driver’s license number, insurance company, policy number, and policy expiration date),
- Call the police (if there is property damage or injuries and you are not blocking traffic). If you hit a parked car, you must also call the owner as soon as possible and let them know what happened.
- Call your car accident attorney at CZ,law
Check on Your Safety and Get Help
Call for medical assistance if necessary if you or anyone else is injured. If someone is seriously injured, call 911. If you are in shock or have any other medical condition that may affect your ability to react, you should also call 911. Don’t be ashamed if you feel you need to talk with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other counselor after a car accident, you should do so.
You may feel that you have done nothing wrong, but you still have experienced a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a natural phenomenon, and psychologists, psychiatrists, and other counselors can help you deal with both the event and the emotions surrounding it. The sooner you deal with these emotions, the better off you will be.
Report the Accident to the Police
If there are injuries or significant property damage, you must report the accident to the police and obtain a police report. You must also report the accident to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. In California, when there is visible damage to property or injuries, you must notify the accident to the police.
You must do this even if the other driver refuses to file a report. You must also report the accident to DMV within 10 days.
Cooperate with Witnesses, Even If They Are Parking Lot Guys
If there are witnesses to the accident, you should cooperate and talk with them. Sometimes witnesses are not helpful, but you must be polite and cooperative. Again, there are times when witnesses are not helpful. They may try to get in the middle of the situation and make it worse. But if witnesses are being helpful, you should cooperate with them and get their names, phone numbers, and addresses.
If there are any parking lot attendants who saw the accident, be sure to get their names and phone numbers. If you are ever in court and you do not have a witness to back you, you will lose your case for sure. Parking lot attendants are excellent witnesses because they are not involved in the dispute.
Document Everything: Take Photos and Record Video
Document the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and damage to other vehicles involved in the accident. Take photos (or get someone to take photos for you) of the accident scene and your vehicle. You can use your smartphone to take pictures and video.
If you are a passenger in a car, you should ask the driver to take photos of the accident scene. Document the damage to each vehicle. If you are in a car accident, take photos of the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle. If you are in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, take photos of your body and the location where the accident occurred.
Conclusion
After a car accident, it’s important to act quickly so that you don’t miss any deadlines or lose critical legal rights as a result. And while it’s important to concentrate on the immediate aftermath of the accident, it’s also important to think about your long-term recovery and financial future. After all, the costs of medical treatment and lost wages resulting from a car accident can quickly add up.
When you have been injured in an accident, the trusted car accident attorney Los Angeles cz.law will fight for your rights. They can also help you recover maximum compensation for your medical bills and other damages. To learn more, or to speak with a California car accident attorney visit gier website at Cz.Law.
