After a car accident in California: get yourself to safety and call 911, report the crash and exchange information, photograph the scene and gather witness details, seek medical attention promptly even if you feel fine, and be careful about what you say to the other driver’s insurer. Those first steps protect both your health and any future claim.
The minutes after a collision are chaotic, and what you do in them can matter long after the cars are towed away. You don’t need to think like a lawyer at the scene — you just need a clear, simple sequence.
The steps that matter most
- Check for injuries and get to safety. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. If the vehicles are drivable and it’s safe, move them out of traffic.
- Call the police. A police report creates an independent record of the crash. For injuries or significant damage, officers will typically respond and document the scene.
- Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, license, insurance, and plate number — but keep the conversation factual and avoid discussing fault or apologizing, which can be misread as an admission.
- Document everything. Photograph the vehicles, damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Note the time and location, and collect names and numbers of any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention promptly. See a doctor even if you feel fine — many injuries, especially soft-tissue and back injuries, surface a day or two later. Prompt care protects your health and connects any injuries to the crash.
- Notify your own insurer, and be cautious if the other driver’s insurance company calls. You’re generally not required to give them a recorded statement right away.
A reporting rule people miss
California also requires you to file a report with the DMV (Form SR-1) within 10 days when an accident causes injury, death, or property damage over the state’s threshold — this is separate from any police report. It’s easy to overlook in the aftermath, but it’s a legal requirement.
Why early care and documentation matter
Insurers scrutinize gaps. A delay between the crash and your first medical visit, or a thin record of the scene, gives an adjuster room to argue your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. The contemporaneous photos, the police report, and prompt treatment are what keep a legitimate claim from being second-guessed later.
If you’ve been injured in a collision and aren’t sure what comes next, our personal injury practice can help you protect your health and your claim from the start.