Car Accident

Los Angeles is world famous for many things, including its traffic.

Californians love their cars and between the growing population of Los Angeles and all the tourists who visit the city each year, car accidents are an extremely common occurrence.

What to do after a California car accident

Car accidents can happen to anyone. When people pull out of their driveway, they often don’t think they will end up being involved in a car accident as they go about their day. Crashes happen in an instant and once the impact is made, it’s easy to feel rattled and unsure of what needs to be done next. First, take a deep breath, try to stay calm, and start taking these steps:

• Move to a safe area if possible
• Check to see if anyone is injured
• Take pictures of the accident scene
• Exchange information with the other driver
• Speak to any witnesses and get their names and contact information

Next, there are some organizations that need to be notified of the accident. If a car accident results in injury or death, even if the injury is minor, California law requires the drivers involved in the accident to report the accident to the California Highway Patrol or the police department of the city where the accident occurred within 24 hours. If an officer comes to the scene of the accident, the officer will make the report for you. 

Drivers involved in an accident are also required to notify the California DMV of the accident if the accident caused any injuries or deaths or if the accident caused at least $750 worth of property damage. If an accident needs to be reported to the DMV, drivers must do so within 10 days of the accident. 

Even if you weren’t at fault for the accident, you’ll also need to notify your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. If you wait to notify your insurance provider, they might try to deny your claim for any damages they would be responsible for covering. 

Should I see a doctor after a California car accident?

After a car accident, it’s very important to see a doctor right away. Car accidents don’t even need to happen at a high rate of speed to be able to cause injuries, so don’t fall into the trap of assuming you’re fine just because it wasn’t a high-speed collision. Whiplash has been known to occur in collisions that happened at 5-10 miles per hour. If there is a delay in seeking medical treatment, the other party involved could try to deny that the accident caused your injury or say that you’re exaggerating your damages. 

Even if you initially think you’re uninjured after an accident, it’s still a very good idea to see a doctor. Accidents can create a spike of adrenaline that makes it difficult to feel the full extent of your pain right away. Many common types of car accident injuries can also have symptoms that don’t begin to show until days after the accident.

Common injuries from car accidents

Damages in a car accident claim

Car accidents can be very expensive, particularly if you’ve been injured. If you’re interested in making a claim related to a car accident injury, some types of damages you can collect include:

• Medical expenses, including future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Physical therapy

Contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer

When car accidents cause injury or death, it’s extremely important to contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Under California law, there is a two-year statute of limitations to make a claim for injuries or deaths caused by a car accident, so you don’t want that window of time to close. 

Dealing with injuries from a car accident is hard enough. The last thing you need is to try going up against insurance companies all on your own. Insurance companies only care about what’s doing best for them, not what’s best for you. When you call The Wallace Firm, you’ll be able to get the help of a Los Angeles car accident lawyer who can fight for you to get all the compensation you need. Contact us today for help with your claim.