San Diego Car Accident Lawyer

What to do if you have an automobile accident

Car accidents happen everyday in California. Many people that have been involved in an automobile accident quite often do not understand what to do after the accident takes place. If you've been involved in a car accident, please keep the following in mind:

1. Your personal safety comes first.

The first thing to do after an accident is to remove your vehicle from the path of other cars on the road. Turn on your hazard lights or you can open the hood to warn other drivers. If you notice any fluids leaking such as gas or oil , or if you're unable to move your vehicle out of the road, get as far away as possible.

2. If you or someone else has been injured, call 911.

It's imparitive to try and stop profuse bleeding as much as possible. If at all possible, avoid moving the injured victim as it could make matters worse.

3. Let emergency personal help you.

Don't attempt to be brave. If you feel you may have suffered an injury, let an ambulance take and treat you. Early treatment for your injuries will speed up the recovery time.

4. Do not admit the accident was your fault

Even though you may feel the accident was caused by you, further investigation may show differently.

5. Take the accident information.

You should note the following:

-Car accident location
-Date of car accident
-Time of accident
-Description of other car (make, model, year, color, state, license plate number)
-Registered owner information (name, address, city, telephone, insurance company, address, policy number)
-Driver information (name, address, city, telephone, drivers license, insurance company, address, policy number)
-Police Officer information (name, badge number, city)

6. Call the police

If the accident occured on a California highway, contact the California Highway Patrol. If the accident occured in the city, contact the local police. In the state of California, the driver has a duty to make an accident report.

7. Notify your insurance company

No matter the severity of the accident, it's always important to let your insurance company know about the incident. Even in the case of a hit and run where you don't know who hit your car, you should immediately let your insurance company know. This will protect your rights including claims against uninsured motorists.

8. Never drive your vehicle without insurance

The law in California requires you to have insurance to operate a vehicle. Proper insurance coverage protects your personal assets and can provide funds for proper medical care for those injured. It also reimburses for lost income and other damages that may have occured as a result of the accident.

If you have additional questions or if you need a car accident lawyer, contact our office today. We help people all over California and we never charge any up front fees to handle your case. In fact, you pay nothing unless your case is won. Call us today to speak to an experienced car accident attorney in San Diego. If you need help outside of California, we can refer you to someone who can help as well. Consultation are always free so call now.