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Car Accident Claims

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

  1. Exchange Information: Under California law, drivers involved in a car accident must exchange information, including driver’s license, car insurance details, and vehicle registration. Refusal to exchange information or leaving the scene may result in hit-and-run charges. For guidance, consult our car accident attorneys for free online advice. 

  2. Call 911 if Necessary: If there are injuries or significant vehicle damage, call 911 immediately for assistance.

  3. Gather Evidence at the Scene: Take as many photos as possible, including close-ups of vehicle damage, wide-angle shots of the accident scene, and the other vehicle’s license plate. If there are bystanders, ask for their contact information to serve as potential witnesses to help determine liability. (Free online advice is available from our car accident attorneys.)

  4. File a DMV SR-1 Report: Under California DMV regulations, if the accident results in damages exceeding $1,000, you must file a DMV SR-1 form within 10 days to avoid penalties. Our experienced attorneys can assist with this process.

  5. Seek Medical Attention for Injuries: If you are injured in the accident, seek medical treatment immediately. You can use your health insurance to cover initial costs. Your car accident attorney will help recover medical expenses from the at-fault party.

  6. File a Claim with the At-Fault Party: California is a "fault" state, meaning compensation is pursued from the at-fault party. If the at-fault driver is insured, their insurance will cover damages within policy limits. In some cases, you may need to use your own insurance initially, and your insurer will seek reimbursement from the at-fault party later. (Our experienced car accident attorneys can guide you through this process.)

Required Materials for a Car Accident Claim

Required Materials for a Car Accident Claim

  • Personal Information:

    • Name, gender, date of birth, current address, phone number, email, and insurance details

  • Accident Information:

    • Date, time, detailed accident location, purpose of the trip before the accident (e.g., commuting to work), names of other passengers, and whether there is a police report

  • Accident Description:

    • Details of how the accident occurred, including whether airbags deployed and if child seats were in the vehicle

  • Injury Details:

    • Specify injured body parts and symptoms.

  • Common Injury Areas:

    • Head (eyes, nose, ears, mouth)

    • Neck

    • Back (upper, middle, lower)

    • Chest

    • Upper limbs (shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, fingers)

    • Lower limbs (hip, thigh, knee, leg, foot, toes)

  • Common Symptoms:

    • Soreness, sharp pain, sprains

    • Bruising, swelling, or marks from restraints

    • Abrasions, cuts, bleeding

    • Fractures or broken bones

    • Headaches, dizziness, nausea

    • Sleep disturbances, short-term memory loss

  • Documents Needed for Filing a Claim:

    • Provide the following accident-related documents, if available:

    • Your driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance information, and vehicle owner details

    • Driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance details for all other drivers involved

    • All photos and videos of the accident, including the scene and vehicle damage (close-ups and wide shots)

    • Photos of injuries (e.g., bruises, cuts, bleeding) taken immediately after the accident

    • Evidence of liability (e.g., dashcam footage, witness contact information, surrounding area surveillance footage)

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Processing Timeline

Average compensation is obtained within 6-8 months.

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Please call (626)614-6666 for free consultation​

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