Although car accidents are a daily occurrence in the United States, people don’t typically leave their homes expecting to be 
involved in a collision on the road. When it does happen, the first few minutes after the accident can be jarring and a jumble of confused emotions. However, the moments following a car crash are also particularly vital, especially if you hope to hire an experienced Rancho Cucamonga personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for injuries or property damage.
Following these 10 important steps immediately after an accident can help you protect yourself and your legal claim.
1. Stay at the Scene
Never drive away from the scene of an accident, even if the damage appears relatively minor. If you leave the scene of a car accident before the police arrive, you risk hit-and-run charges and stiff criminal penalties, regardless of whether the drivers or passengers in the other involved vehicles were seriously injured.
2. Check Drivers and Passengers for Injuries
Making sure that no one was seriously injured takes precedence over assessing any property damage. After checking yourself and your passengers for injuries, check the drivers and passengers in the involved vehicles for injuries, as well. Call an ambulance for any injuries that require medical attention, and make sure not to move people who are unconscious or complaining of neck or back pain.
3. Call the Police
If you called 911 to report injuries, the police will be on the way. However, even if you believe there were no serious injuries, it's important to call California Highway Patrol to report the accident. A police report will be helpful in the event that you decide to pursue legal action and may be required by your insurance company. Make sure to call the police department's non-emergency line to keep 911 free for true emergencies.
4. Documenting the Scene is Important to Correctly Handle a Car Accident in CA
Once you've assessed any injuries and reported the accident to the police, take a minute to photograph the scene of the accident, if you can do so safely. Even if you don't happen to carry a camera in your vehicle, you can still document the scene using a cell phone or tablet—both usually equipped with a camera. According to our Rancho Cucamonga personal injury lawyer, it's also helpful to jot down the time of the accident, as well as current road and weather conditions.
5. Move Your Vehicle Off the Road
If it's safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road, where it isn't blocking traffic. Turn on the vehicle's hazard blinkers, and if you have cones or warning triangles, set them up, or use flares to help prevent additional accidents.
6. Exchange Contact and Insurance Information
Write down the names, addresses and telephone numbers of drivers and passengers in each of the involved vehicles, and politely ask to see each driver's insurance information. Provide your contact information to the other drivers. It's also helpful to get contact information from any witnesses, so that you or your attorney can reach them in the future, if necessary.
7. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance agent right away. Some insurance policies allow the company to deny your claim if you fail to report the accident immediately or refuse to cooperate in their investigation.
8. Don't Jump To Conclusions
After a car accident in CA, it can be tempting to apologize or try to place blame for what occurred. Resist the urge. According to our Rancho Cucamonga personal injury lawyer, any statements you make may be used against you later and damage your legal claim.
9. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even serious injuries sustained in an accident may not be immediately apparent, and many accident victims don't report feeling their injuries until a day or two later. It's best to seek medical attention as soon as possible, so that a qualified medical professional can treat and document any injuries.
10. Contact an Experienced Rancho Cucamonga Personal Injury Lawyer
Consulting an experienced Rancho Cucamonga personal injury attorney like David Ricks can be very helpful to protect yourself after a car accident, particularly if you or someone else suffered serious injuries. Many attorneys who handle car accident cases work on contingency, meaning that you pay for their representation when you receive a settlement, rather than upfront.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident, our experienced Rancho Cucamonga personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical bills related to your injuries and property damage to your vehicle. We can also give you more advice on how to properly handle a car accident in California.
Contact the knowledgeable legal team at the Inland Empire Law Group for a free, no-obligation evaluation with our Rancho Cucamonga personal injury lawyer.
And, feel free to save the infographic below and leave it in your car, in case you have the unfortunate experience of getting in a car accident in California.
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