Christopher Skorina Personal Injury Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Steps to take after a car accident

Thursday, July 8, 2010 by Christopher Skorina

Important steps to take after a car accident:

Stop after an accident. After a car accident, California law requires that you stop whether or not the accident was your fault and regardless of whether the accident involved a pedestrian, bicycle rider, or a parked car, or whether it was on private property. Failure to stop can result in hit and run charges that may carry penalties of fines, loss of driver’s license, and jail.
Exchange information with other drivers—name, driver's license number, VIN (vehicle identification number) number of your car, name and address of the owner of the car, insurance company name and address, and insurance policy number.
Notify police. Notify the local police or California Highway Patrol (CHP) by calling 911 as soon as possible if anyone is injured, killed, or if damage is greater than $750.
Warn other drivers. Turn on hazard lights or place cones on the road to warn other drivers about the accident.
Help the injured. In the 911 call, ask for an ambulance. Apply first aid if you know how. If the person’s location puts him or her in danger, you are obligated to move him or her even if it causes further injury. However, if possible, leaving the person in the same spot is best and the least harmful.
Make no statements. Make no statements about being at fault for the accident. Notify your insurance company about the accident and speak with your lawyer.

The above are some guidelines that the California Bar Association provides in a pamphlet about auto accidents.

You need to know that these steps to take after a car accident are required by law and put you at risk legally if you fail to follow them. However, for legal advice you should speak with a California auto accident lawyer.

If involved in an Orange County auto accident injury, you need to understand your rights. A lawyer can advise you about whether to contest or pay a ticket that is issued at the time of an accident. It may be a good idea to get a medical check up after the accident even if you believe you were not injured. Sometimes accident related injuries do not become apparent until a day or so later.

Mosher & Skorina, P.C.
Los Altos Plaza 26691 Plaza, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA, Orange Co. 92691-8582

Posted at 09:33 AM

Topic: Personal Injury