After a car accident in California
Just had a crash? Do these things first.
A short checklist for the first hours and days after a car accident. Save this page on your phone. If you were hurt, the consultation with Mines Law Firm is free.
- Free consultation
- $0 upfront cost
- $0 attorney fee if there is no recovery
The checklist
Six steps after a crash
Get safe and call 911
Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. California law requires drivers in an injury crash to stop and help (Vehicle Code 20001).
Get medical care the same day
Go to urgent care or the emergency room, even if you feel fine. Some injuries show up days later, and a same-day record links the injury to the crash.
Take photos and video
Photograph every car, license plate, the damage, the road, traffic lights, skid marks, and your injuries. Take a wide shot that shows the whole scene.
Collect names and numbers
Get the other driver’s name, phone, license, insurance company, and policy number. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Get the police report number
Ask the officer for the report number and the agency name, such as LAPD, the Sheriff, or the CHP.
Report to the DMV within 10 days
File an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or the damage is over $1,000 (Vehicle Code 16000).
Protect your claim
What not to do
Small mistakes in the first week can hurt an injury claim later.
- Do not say the crash was your fault, or say sorry, at the scene
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company
- Do not sign anything from an insurance company before you talk to a lawyer
- Do not post about the crash or your injuries on social media
- Do not skip doctor visits or stop treatment early
- Do not throw away damaged items, such as a helmet, car seat, or phone
Uber and Lyft crashes
If you were an Uber or Lyft passenger
Screenshot the trip in the app: the driver’s name, the car, the route, and the time. Keep the receipt email.
If you were the rideshare driver
Screenshot your app status at the time of the crash. Coverage depends on whether the app was on and whether you had accepted a ride.
If a rideshare car hit you
Get the driver’s name and plate, and note the Uber or Lyft sign in the window. Tell the officer it was a rideshare car.
Before you call
What to have ready for your consultation
You do not need everything on this list to call. Send what you have, and the firm will help with the rest.
Next, see the car accident case timeline to learn what happens after you hire a lawyer.
Gather what you can
- The police report number and agency
- Photos and video from the scene
- The other driver’s name and insurance information
- Your own car insurance card or policy
- Names of every doctor, clinic, and hospital you have visited
- Medical bills and receipts, including prescriptions
- Proof of missed work, such as pay stubs
- Repair estimates or the total loss letter
- Any letters or emails from an insurance company
Questions
Deadlines and common questions
How long do I have to file a car accident injury claim in California?
In most cases, two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). Do not wait: evidence such as video footage can be erased within days.
What if a city bus or government vehicle hit me?
A claim against a city, county, or other public agency usually must be filed within six months (Government Code 911.2). That deadline is much shorter, so call right away.
What if the other driver left the scene or has no insurance?
Your own policy may cover you through uninsured motorist coverage. Report the crash to the police and your insurance company quickly.
Does it cost anything to talk to Mines Law Firm about my crash?
No. The consultation is free. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney fee if there is no recovery.
This page is general information, not legal advice for your case. More about auto accident injury cases.
Ready to hire a lawyer?
Hurt in a car accident? Call now.
The consultation is free. Call or text when you are ready to hire a lawyer, or send your case details online.
888-700-0093Mailing address
468 North Camden Drive, Suite 200
Beverly Hills, California 90210
Call or text
888-700-0093, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please share general details only.
Attorney advertising. The information on this website is general information, not legal advice for any individual case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.