I Was Injured In A Car Accident In California — What Should I Do Now?

If you were injured in a car accident in California, the most important things to do right now are: get to safety, call 911 if anyone is hurt, get medical care as soon as possible, document the crash, report the claim, and protect your case before the insurance company starts shaping the story. If anyone was injured or property damage exceeded $1,000, California also generally requires an SR-1 report to the DMV within 10 days.

If you want immediate help, call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544. Our firm has been fighting for injury victims since 1987, have handled 20,000+ cases, recovered $450+ million, and charges no upfront fee unless we win.

What To Do Right Away

1) Get to safety first

If you can move without making injuries worse, get out of traffic and to a safer location. If the vehicles can be moved safely, do that. If anyone is badly hurt, call 911 immediately. Call police and an ambulance if there is bodily injury.

2) Get medical care now, not “when you feel worse”

Do not tough it out. Adrenaline hides injuries. Neck injuries, back injuries, concussions, internal injuries, and soft-tissue damage can worsen over hours or days. Getting prompt treatment protects your health and creates a clean medical record tying your injuries to the crash.

3) Call law enforcement if there are injuries

When there is bodily injury, call the police. A report can become important evidence later. California’s insurance guidance specifically says to call police when there is injury.

4) Exchange information

Get:

• Driver’s name

• Phone number

• Address

• Insurance company and policy info

• Driver’s license number

• License plate number

• Vehicle make/model

• Owner information if different from driver

California’s Department of Insurance recommends gathering driver, vehicle, and witness information at the scene.

5) Get witness information

Independent witnesses can make or break a disputed-liability case. Get names and numbers before they leave. Gather witness contact information.

6) Take photos and video immediately

Photograph:

• All vehicles

• Damage

• License plates

• Street signs

• Skid marks

• Debris

• Traffic lights

• Weather/road conditions

• Visible injuries

Take photos of the scene and damage.

7) Be careful what you say

Stick to facts. Do not guess, speculate, or apologize. Do not say “I’m fine” if you are shaken up and unsure. What you say at the scene and later to insurers can be used against you. The claims process may involve written or recorded statements, so accuracy matters.

8) Notify your insurer promptly

You should report the crash to your insurance company as soon as you reasonably can. California’s consumer guidance says to call your insurer and give claim details as soon as possible.

9) File the SR-1 if required

In California, you generally must file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000.

10) Talk to a lawyer before the case gets controlled by the adjuster

The insurance company starts building its defense immediately. The longer you wait, the more evidence disappears and the more leverage you lose. Call our car accident lawyers at 818-784-8544 for a free consultation. We offer free consultations and no upfront fee unless we win.

Top 10 FAQs

1) What should I do first after being injured in a car accident in California?

Get to safety, call 911 if anyone is hurt, get medical care, document the scene, exchange information, and report the crash to your insurer. If there is injury or more than $1,000 in damage, file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days.

2) Should I go to the doctor even if I feel “okay”?

Yes. Some injuries do not fully appear right away. Prompt treatment protects both your health and your claim.

3) Do I have to report the accident to the California DMV?

Usually yes, if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000. The deadline is generally 10 days.

4) Should I talk to the insurance company?

You should report the claim, but be careful and stick to facts. The California Department of Insurance notes that written or recorded statements may be requested during the claims process.

5) What evidence should I collect?

Photos, video, witness names, insurance information, vehicle information, location details, and medical records. California’s insurance guidance specifically recommends photos and witness information.

6) How long do I have to sue after a California car accident?

California’s general statute of limitations for injury claims is two years.

7) What if a government vehicle or dangerous road condition was involved?

Claims against public entities often have a much shorter claim deadline — generally six months under Government Code section 911.2.

8) What if the other driver does not have insurance?

You may still have options through your own policy, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you carry it.

9) How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?

The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus states that clients pay no upfront fees and that the firm only gets paid if it recovers compensation.

10) When should I call a lawyer?

As soon as possible, especially if you were injured, missed work, were taken by ambulance, the crash involved a commercial vehicle, Uber/Lyft, a disputed liability issue, or a government vehicle. Early action helps preserve evidence and protects your claim. Collect information and acting promptly after a crash.

Step-by-step: What To Do After A California Car Accident Injury

Step 1: Protect your health

Health comes first. Go to the ER, urgent care, your primary doctor, or another appropriate provider as soon as possible. Follow through with treatment. Gaps in care can hurt both your recovery and your case. California’s consumer insurance guidance stresses medical response when bodily injury is involved.

Step 2: Protect the evidence

Crash evidence disappears fast. Security footage gets overwritten. Witnesses forget details. Cars get repaired or totaled. Photos taken on day one can matter far more than photos taken two weeks later. Collect photos and witness details at the scene reflects how important immediate evidence is.

Step 3: Protect your words

Do not exaggerate, but do not minimize. Give accurate information. If you are unsure about something, say you are unsure. The claims process often includes statements, so consistency matters.

Step 4: Protect your deadline

Many injury claims must be filed within two years in California, but government-related claims can require action within six months. Waiting is dangerous.

Step 5: Protect your compensation

Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to limit payouts. Our law firm helps you fight against the insurance company.

📞 Call 818-784-8544 now to speak with The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.

What Not To Do After A California Car Accident

Do not wait days to get care

That delay can be used to argue you were not really hurt. Prompt evaluation matters.

Do not forget the DMV report

If the crash involved injury or more than $1,000 in property damage, the SR-1 deadline is generally 10 days.

Do not assume the insurer is “on your side”

Your insurer handles your claim, but the at-fault insurer is protecting its bottom line.

Do not post about the accident on social media

Even harmless-looking posts can be taken out of context later.

Do not sign away rights without understanding the consequences

Once a release is signed, it can be extremely hard or impossible to reopen the claim.

Do not go it alone if the injuries are serious

If there are ER bills, lost income, surgery, fractures, head injuries, ongoing pain, or disputed fault, legal help matters.

📞 Call 818-784-8544 before the insurance company gets too far ahead.

When You Should Call A California Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

Call right away if:

• You went to the ER

• You have neck, back, head, or spine symptoms

• You cannot work

• Liability is disputed

• Multiple cars were involved

• A truck, rideshare, or commercial vehicle was involved

• A city, county, or government vehicle was involved

• You are being pushed to give a statement

• The insurer is already offering quick money

The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus handles accident cases across Southern California, offers free consultations, and charges no fee unless it wins.

Why Injured Californians Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus

Gerald Marcus has been fighting for injured people since 1987, the firm has fought 20,000+ cases, recovered $450+ million, and offers free consultations with no fees unless it wins.

That matters when you are facing:

• hospital bills

• missed work

• pain and treatment

• adjuster pressure

• confusion about what to do next

Quick checklist: Save This

Do this now

• Get safe

• Call 911 if anyone is hurt

• Get medical care

• Take photos and video

• Gather witness info

• Exchange insurance and driver info

• Notify your insurer

• File SR-1 if required

• Call a lawyer

Avoid this

• Delaying treatment

• Guessing about fault

• Minimizing injuries

• Posting online

• Signing anything too early

• Missing deadlines

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Right Now

You do not need to figure this out alone while you are hurt, overwhelmed, and getting calls from insurance adjusters. The longer you wait, the stronger the insurance company’s position becomes. Protect your health. Protect your evidence. Protect your right to full compensation. Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 now for a free consultation. The firm says you pay nothing upfront and nothing unless it wins. One call can put a real legal team between you and the insurance company.