It can be hard to keep your composure after a car accident. But with these simple tips, you can protect your legal rights.
When it comes to car accidents, California law requires you to take certain steps. But after you exchange basic information, what should you do? Many people are confused about how to handle the aftermath of a car accident. By keeping a few helpful tips in mind, you can protect your legal rights.
Exchange Information
If a car accident resulted in an injury , California law requires that the drivers of both cars exchange information and render any necessary medical aid, to the best of their ability. This means that if you’re in an accident and someone is hurt, make sure that you both get and give insurance and contact information. If the car accident involved damage of over $750 to either car or an injury or death, it must be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. An experienced California car accident attorney can help you with the process to make sure that you have complied with all aspects of the law.
Do Not Admit Fault
When you’re in an accident, even if it wasn’t your fault, it may be tempting to apologize to the other driver. After all, it is a scary experience and you may feel sorry that it happened. But when you say something like “I’m sorry,” it could be viewed as a statement that you were at fault for the accident — even if you were only trying to comfort the other driver. The best course of action is to say as little as possible once you have made sure that the other driver and passengers are not hurt and you have exchanged insurance and contact information.
Take Pictures
Most of us always have a smart phone handy — which means that we always have a camera. If you are able to do so, take pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles after the accident. These pictures could be important evidence if you need to file or defend against a lawsuit later.
Contact An Attorney
An accident often leads to insurance claims and even lawsuits. Insurance companies want to pay injured parties as little as possible, and even your own insurance company may not have your best interests at heart. Contact a seasoned California car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident. A lawyer can make sure that you get a settlement or award that reflects the true measure of the loss that you have suffered.
Seek Medical Attention
If you have been hurt, go to a medical professional or emergency room immediately. Even if you do not think that you have suffered any injuries, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to get an evaluation of any possible injuries. Keep careful records of all of your medical treatment, bills and expenses. They may become important if you need to file a lawsuit.
At the Law Office of Larry H. Parker, we are skilled at negotiating and litigating settlements on behalf of clients who have been injured in car accidents. We offer free initial consultations and never charge unless we recover money for our clients. Contact our offices today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to learn how we can help you if you’ve been hurt in a car accident.
