A car accident can happen in an instant — but the decisions you make in the minutes and hours that follow can significantly affect your ability to recover full compensation under California law. Here is a step-by-step guide from a Los Angeles personal injury attorney.
1. Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine, call 911 immediately after any accident. Many serious injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal injuries — do not present obvious symptoms right away. A police report creates an official record of the accident, and prompt medical treatment creates a medical record linking your injuries to the collision. Both are critical for your personal injury claim.
2. Document Everything at the Scene
Use your phone to photograph and document:
- →All vehicles involved — including license plates and damage
- →The accident scene — road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks
- →Your visible injuries
- →The other driver's license, insurance card, and registration
- →Names and contact information of any witnesses
3. Do Not Admit Fault
Do not say "I'm sorry," "I didn't see you," or anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault — even if you think you may have contributed to the accident. California is a pure comparative fault state under Civil Code § 1714, meaning fault is determined by investigation, not by what you say at the scene. Statements made at the scene can be used against you.
4. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
After an accident, the other driver's insurance company will often call you quickly requesting a recorded statement. You are not legally required to give one. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim. Do not provide a recorded statement before consulting with a personal injury attorney.
5. Know California's Statute of Limitations
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the at-fault driver was a government employee or the accident involved a government vehicle, you must file a government tort claim within six months. Missing these deadlines will bar your claim entirely.
6. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies move quickly to close claims for as little as possible. Hovssepian Law offers free consultations and handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
What You Can Recover After a Car Accident in California
Economic Damages
- → Medical bills (past & future)
- → Lost wages and income
- → Property damage
- → Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages
- → Pain and suffering
- → Emotional distress
- → Loss of enjoyment of life
- → Loss of consortium
Injured in a Car Accident? Call Hovssepian Law.
Free consultation · No fee unless we win · Serving all of Los Angeles County
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