One moment you are driving to work or running errands, and the next you are dealing with pain, damage, and a growing list of questions you are not prepared to answer. If this just happened to you, you are not alone. Thousands of Californians face this situation every year, and most have the same first thought: What do I do now?
This guide explains what to do after a car accident in California, step by step, so you can protect your health, your safety, and your injury claim. When you know what actions to take, you regain control of the situation and avoid mistakes that could cost you valuable compensation later.
1. Stop Your Vehicle and Prioritize Safety
California requires drivers involved in any collision to immediately stop their vehicle, even minor fender benders. More serious collisions involving injury must be reported and handled in accordance with state law. After you stop:
- Move to a safe area if you are able,
- Turn on your hazard lights, and
- Set up cones or reflective triangles if you have them.
Staying calm and keeping the scene secure prevents additional injuries and makes it easier for police and emergency services to reach you.
2. Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your priority is your health and the safety of everyone involved. Check yourself for injuries, then check others. If anyone appears hurt, even slightly, call 911 right away. California law requires drivers to provide reasonable assistance, which includes calling for emergency medical help when needed.
Many injuries, such as concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue trauma, are not immediately apparent. When in doubt, call for help. Paramedics will create a medical report that later becomes key evidence in your claim.
3. Contact Law Enforcement
One of the most critical steps in determining what to do after a car crash is contacting the police. In California, you must report an accident to law enforcement when:
- Anyone is injured;
- A driver is under the influence; or
- The collision involves a hit-and-run.
The responding officer prepares a traffic collision report, which documents fault indicators, witness statements, roadway conditions, and diagrams. Insurance companies consider facts and observations from this report when determining fault, and without it, your claim can be much harder to prove.
If the police cannot respond, you will need to file a report yourself with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or the local police department.
4. Exchange Required Information
Drivers involved in a collision need to exchange pertinent information, including:
- Name and address,
- Driver’s license number,
- Vehicle registration,
- Insurance information, and
- License plate number.
Stay factual and polite, but avoid discussing fault. Even casual comments like “I’m so sorry” can be misinterpreted and used against you later.
5. Document the Accident Scene Thoroughly
One of the most powerful steps after an accident is gathering high-quality evidence. Use your phone to take photos and videos of:
- Vehicle damage from multiple angles;
- Road conditions and weather;
- Skid marks, debris, and broken glass;
- Traffic signs and signals;
- Your injuries;
- The position of both vehicles before moving them; and
- Nearby businesses or homes that may have security cameras.
Also, get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Their statements often become critical when insurers dispute fault.
6. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine, get medical care as soon as possible. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours or days to appear. In California injury cases, insurers routinely argue:
- “If you were injured, you would have gone to a doctor immediately”; or
- “Delayed treatment means the injury was not caused by the accident.”
Seeing a doctor early helps protect your health and prevents the insurance company from using gaps in treatment against you.
Make sure to save:
- ER or urgent care summaries,
- Imaging results,
- Prescription information, and
- Follow-up care instructions.
These records become evidence of the severity and cause of your injuries.
7. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Insurance policies require you to report an accident within a reasonable time after a crash. When you make the report:
- Stick to the basic facts;
- Do not guess, speculate, or accept blame; and
- Decline recorded statements until you speak with a lawyer.
Insurance companies look for ways to reduce payouts, including using your own words against you. Speaking with an attorney first helps protect your claim from manipulation.
8. File a DMV SR-1 Accident Report (When Required)
California law requires you to report an accident to the DMV when anyone is injured (no matter how minor) or property damage exceeds $1,000. To do so, drivers must file a DMV SR-1 report within 10 days. Some insurance companies can handle this step for you, but it’s important to verify. It’s better to err on the side of caution and file the SR-1 anyway. Failing to submit the SR-1 can result in license suspension.
9. Understand California’s At-Fault System and Comparative Negligence
California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the damages.
However, California also uses pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partly at fault. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the crash but suffered $100,000 in damages, you can still recover $80,000.
Insurance companies use this rule to argue that you share more blame than you actually do. They do this to reduce their payout. Having an attorney challenge unfair fault assessments is essential to protecting the value of your claim.
10. Know the Damages You May Be Entitled To
After a collision, you may qualify for compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future),
- Lost income and loss of earning capacity,
- Property damage,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Out-of-pocket expenses.
Understanding the full range of recoverable damages helps prevent you from settling for less than your claim is worth.
11. Avoid Mistakes That Can Hurt Your California Car Accident Claim
Accident victims often unintentionally damage their own case by:
- Apologizing or admitting fault,
- Posting about the crash on social media,
- Missing medical appointments,
- Accepting early settlement offers,
- Giving recorded statements without legal advice, and
- Failing to document injuries.
These mistakes can dramatically reduce the compensation you receive. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can help you avoid common pitfalls from day one.
12. Why Hiring a California Car Accident Lawyer Helps Protect Your Claim
After a crash, you face insurance adjusters, medical bills, investigations, and legal deadlines, all while trying to focus on recovery. You should not have to navigate this alone.
A California car accident attorney can:
- Investigate the accident,
- Gather evidence and witness statements,
- Obtain surveillance or dash-cam footage,
- Manage all insurance communication,
- Calculate the full value of your damages,
- Negotiate for a fair settlement, and
- File a lawsuit if needed.
With legal guidance, you gain leverage and peace of mind knowing someone is advocating for your best interests.
13. Learn When You Should Contact a Lawyer
Many people wait too long to reach out, thinking they can handle the claim themselves. The truth is that the early days after a crash significantly shape the entire outcome.
You should contact a lawyer immediately if:
- You suffered any injury,
- Fault is disputed,
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured,
- You are being pressured to settle quickly,
- The adjuster wants a recorded statement, and
- You are unsure about your next steps.
Early legal support helps preserve evidence, prevent mistakes, and strengthen your claim.
Why Hire the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi After a California Car Accident?
After a crash, you deserve more than generic advice and automated responses from an insurance company. You deserve someone who listens, answers your questions, and guides you through the decisions that protect your health and your future. That is exactly what the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C. provides. Our firm built its reputation on the belief that real help means stepping in early, taking on your legal burden, and giving you a clear plan when everything feels uncertain.
When you work with our team, you never feel like just another accident victim. We take the time to learn your story, understand how the collision disrupted your life, and identify the long-term challenges you may face as you recover. Our attorneys investigate your case with precision, gather the evidence insurers often overlook, and build a compelling claim that reflects the full extent of your injuries, not just the immediate bills.
Because we handle negotiations directly with the insurance companies, you are protected from pressure tactics, recorded-statement traps, and lowball settlement offers that do not reflect the true value of your losses.
Speak with Our California Car Accident Lawyers Who Can Guide You Forward
Understanding what to do after a car accident in California is just the first step. We know how overwhelming the days after a crash can be, and we are committed to removing as much stress from your shoulders as possible. Our legal team handles every part of the process, including accident investigation, communication with adjusters, document collection, medical record organization, and damage calculations, so you can focus on treatment and healing. Whether your case resolves through negotiation or requires litigation, you have experienced advocates standing beside you, ready to pursue the outcome you deserve.
If you were injured in a California car accident and are unsure where to turn, start by reaching out to a team that understands what you are going through and knows how to help you move forward. Contact the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., today to schedule your consultation. We are here to protect your rights and help you take the next step with confidence.
Attorney Ali Yousefi is the founder of Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., and has distinguished himself as one of the leading lawyers in California. Ali values that his work allows him to make a direct, positive impact on the lives of people who have experienced stressful or traumatic events.
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