I Was Injured In A Car Accident In Los Angeles — What Should I Do Right Now?

If you were injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, you should get to safety, call 911, get immediate medical care, document the scene, and call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 before you talk to any insurance company or sign anything.

That’s the short, honest answer.

Now let’s walk through exactly what to do, step by step, so you protect your health, your rights, and the full value of your claim — and why calling a Los Angeles car accident lawyer right now can make the difference between a weak case and a powerful one.

Being hurt in a car accident in Los Angeles or any surrounding area (Valley, West LA, DTLA, Hollywood, South LA, Eastside, San Fernando Valley, etc.) is overwhelming. One minute you’re just driving; the next you’re dealing with:

• Pain and shock

• A damaged or totaled car

• EMTs, police, and strangers asking questions

• Insurance companies already preparing to protect their bottom line

In this chaos, it’s very easy to make mistakes that can later hurt your case.

This guide from The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus is designed to give you a clear, practical roadmap for what to do right now — and how we can help you every step of the way.

📞 If you’re reading this after a crash, you can call 818-784-8544 right now for a free case review.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Step 1: Get to Safety and Check for Injuries

Your first priority after any car accident in Los Angeles is safety.

• Turn on your hazard lights.

• If your car can be safely moved, pull to the shoulder or a nearby safe spot.

• If you’re on a freeway like the 405, 101, 10, 110 or 5, stay aware of fast-moving traffic.

• If your car cannot be moved and you’re not in immediate danger (fire, smoke, etc.), it may be safer to stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives.

Check yourself and your passengers:

• Head, neck, or back pain

• Dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness

• Chest pain, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain

• Bleeding, fractures, obvious deformities

If something feels wrong, treat it as serious until a doctor says otherwise.

👉 If you’re hurt, don’t “tough it out.” Your health comes first — and getting checked immediately also helps prove your injuries came from this crash.

Step 2: Call 911 and Get Police and Medical Help on Scene

In Los Angeles, it’s critical to call 911 after a car accident with any injury or significant damage:

• Ask for police (LAPD, CHP, or local agency depending on where the crash happened).

• Request paramedics if anyone is in pain or may be injured.

Why this matters:

• The police report becomes a key piece of evidence in your case.

• Paramedics’ and ER records help document your injuries from day one.

• If the other driver later lies about what happened, that report is often your best defense.

✅ Do this even if the other driver says, “Let’s just handle it between us” or “We don’t need the police.”

Those drivers often change their story later — to your detriment.

Step 3: Get Immediate Medical Care (Even if You “Feel Okay” Right Now)

After a crash, adrenaline can hide serious injuries. Many people don’t fully feel the impact until hours or days later.

Common car accident injuries in Los Angeles include:

• Whiplash and neck injuries

• Back and spinal injuries (herniated or bulging discs)

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries

• Shoulder, knee, and hip injuries

• Fractures and broken bones

• Internal injuries and organ damage

You should:

• Let paramedics check you at the scene.

• Go to the ER or urgent care as soon as reasonably possible after the crash.

• Tell the doctors exactly what happened and every area that hurts — even if it seems minor.

Getting prompt medical care:

• Protects your health

• Creates a clear medical record linking your injuries to the crash

• Makes it much harder for the insurance company to argue that you weren’t really hurt or that something else caused your injuries

📞 If you’ve been to the ER or urgent care and are still in pain, call 818-784-8544 to discuss your next steps with The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus.

Step 4: Document the Scene Like a Lawyer Would

If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, use your phone to gather evidence right now, before the cars are moved and people disappear.

Take photos and video of:

• All vehicles involved, from multiple angles

• License plates

• The damage to each vehicle (close-up and wide shots)

• Skid marks, debris, glass, and fluid on the road

• Street signs, traffic lights, stop signs, lane markings

• Any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling)

• Weather and lighting conditions (rain, fog, night, glare)

If you’re in places like:

• 101 or 405 Freeway

• Sunset Blvd, Ventura Blvd, Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd

• Downtown LA, Hollywood, Valley, West LA, South LA, East LA

…make sure your photos show recognizable landmarks, signs, and intersections. This helps our team and any reconstruction experts rebuild what happened.

Even a few seconds of video walking around the scene can be invaluable later.

Step 5: Exchange Information — But Don’t Apologize

California law requires drivers to exchange information after a crash. Get:

• Full name and contact information

• Driver’s license number

• Vehicle make, model, and license plate

• Insurance company name and policy number

Stay calm, polite, and factual — but do not:

• Apologize (“I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of fault)

• Guess about what happened if you don’t know

• Argue or lose your temper

If the other driver seems intoxicated, angry, or tries to leave:

• Tell the police when they arrive

• Try to discreetly note anything unusual (slurred speech, smell of alcohol, stumbling, etc.)

Step 6: Get Witness Information Before They Disappear

In a busy city like Los Angeles, witnesses often leave quickly. If anyone stopped to help or saw what happened:

• Ask for their name and phone number

• If they’re willing, ask for an email address as well

• You can even ask them to text you a brief description of what they saw

Witnesses can make or break your case, especially when the other driver later changes their story.

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we follow up with witnesses and obtain detailed statements when needed. We want neutral people backing up what you already know: the crash wasn’t your fault.

📞 Already have some witness info? Call 818-784-8544 and we’ll help you preserve it correctly.

Step 7: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company — Carefully

Most auto policies require you to report an accident within a reasonable time. When you call your own insurer:

• Stick to basic facts: time, location, vehicles involved, and that you were injured.

• Do not speculate about fault if you aren’t sure.

• Do not minimize your injuries (“I’m okay, just a little sore”) — you don’t yet know how serious they are.

If the other driver’s insurance company calls you:

• You are not required to give them a detailed recorded statement.

• You can simply say, “I’m not comfortable discussing details right now. I’m getting medical care and speaking with an attorney.”

Then call 818-784-8544 and let The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus handle the insurance companies for you.

Step 8: Do NOT Sign Anything or Accept a Quick Check

After a car accident in Los Angeles, it is very common for insurance companies to:

• Offer you a quick, small settlement

• Send forms and “releases” to sign

• Act helpful and friendly while pushing you to settle fast

Here’s the truth:

Once you sign a release and accept a check, your case is usually over — even if you later need surgery or long-term treatment.

The first offer is almost always designed to:

• Close your case before you realize how badly you’re hurt

• Save the insurance company a lot of money at your expense

Before you sign anything, let a Los Angeles car accident lawyer review it. The consultation is free, and you may be stunned how low that offer is compared to what your case is really worth.

📞 Before you sign or say yes to any settlement, call 818-784-8544.

Step 9: Call a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible

This might be the single most important step you can take after you’ve been injured in a car accident in Los Angeles.

Why Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Right Now?

Because when you call us:

• You get a free, confidential consultation

• You pay nothing up front — we work on a contingency fee (we only get paid if we win money for you)

• You get immediate protection from insurance company tactics

• We start preserving evidence from day one

We help with:

• Getting the right medical care

• Dealing with ER, MRI, PT, and specialist bills

• Handling all insurance communications

• Investigating fault and damages

• Building a powerful case for maximum compensation

You’ve already been through enough. Let us handle the legal and insurance battle.

📞 Injured in a car accident in Los Angeles or nearby? Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus now at 818-784-8544.

What Can I Be Compensated For After a Car Accident in Los Angeles?

Many people think a car accident claim is just about getting their car fixed. In reality, your injury claim may include:

• Medical bills – ER visits, hospital stays, MRIs, X-rays, PT, chiropractic care, injections, surgery

• Future medical expenses – ongoing treatment, future surgeries, long-term care

• Lost wages – time missed from work because of your injuries

• Loss of earning capacity – if you can’t go back to your job or have to reduce hours

• Pain and suffering – physical pain, discomfort, limitations

• Emotional distress – anxiety, depression, PTSD, fear of driving

• Loss of enjoyment of life – missing out on activities, hobbies, and family time

• Scarring and disfigurement

• Property damage – damage to your vehicle and personal property

A top Los Angeles car accident attorney will help identify and document every category of damage, not just the obvious ones.

Common Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident in Los Angeles

Avoid these mistakes if you can — they can seriously hurt your case:

1. Saying “I’m Fine” at the Scene or to Insurers

You may feel “okay” at that moment, but injuries can worsen. Let the medical records speak for your condition, not casual comments made in shock.

2. Skipping the Doctor or Waiting Weeks to Get Checked

Insurance companies love to argue that if you didn’t see a doctor quickly, you must not be hurt. Don’t give them that ammunition.

3. Posting About the Crash on Social Media

Even innocent posts can be twisted. Insurance companies and defense lawyers routinely search social media for anything they can use against you.

4. Trusting the Insurance Adjuster to “Do the Right Thing”

Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their loyalty is to their employer’s bottom line.

5. Waiting Too Long to Call a Lawyer

Evidence disappears, memories fade, deadlines approach. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to build a strong case.

📞 If you’ve already made some of these mistakes, don’t panic — call 818-784-8544. We may still be able to help fix and strengthen your case.

How The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Help You After a Los Angeles Car Accident

When you hire us, here’s what we actually do for you:

1. Investigate and Prove Fault

We:

• Obtain the police/CHP report

• Collect photos, videos, and witness statements

• Reconstruct how the crash happened

• Look for traffic violations, distraction, intoxication, speeding, and other negligence on the part of the other driver

2. Coordinate Medical Care and Document Injuries

We:

• Help you find appropriate doctors, specialists, and therapists

• Make sure your injuries and limitations are properly documented

• Track all medical bills and records so nothing is missed

3. Protect You from Insurance Companies

We:

• Take over all communications with insurers

• Stop harassing phone calls and confusing letters

• Prevent you from giving damaging recorded statements

• Push back hard against lowball offers and unfair blame

4. Maximize Your Compensation

We:

• Analyze your current and future medical needs

• Calculate lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Document your pain, suffering, and life impact

• Prepare a powerful settlement demand and negotiate from strength

• File a lawsuit and prepare for trial when necessary

Our goal is simple: get you every dollar the law allows.

📞 Want to know what your case might be worth? Call 818-784-8544 for a free evaluation.

FAQ: “I Was Injured in a Car Accident in Los Angeles — What Should I Do?”

Do I have to call the police for every accident in LA?

If there are any injuries or significant damage, you absolutely should call 911 and report the crash. The police report is crucial evidence in your case.

What if I think I might be partly at fault?

Don’t assume you have no case. California uses pure comparative negligence, which means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Let us evaluate the facts before you decide.

How long do I have to file a claim?

California has strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) for injury claims. Some cases must be filed within two years, and some (especially those involving government entities) have shorter deadlines. The safest move is to call a lawyer now, not later.

How much does it cost to hire The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus?

You pay no upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win money for you.

What should I do right now?

1. Get medical care if you haven’t already.

2. Gather any photos, reports, and documents you have.

3. Do not speak to insurance adjusters about details or give recorded statements.

4. Call 818-784-8544 to talk to our team.

The Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

If you were injured in a car accident in Los Angeles or any surrounding area, you’re dealing with pain, confusion, and stress — and powerful insurance companies that know exactly how to take advantage of that.

You deserve better.

The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus is here to:

• Explain your rights in plain language

• Take over the insurance battle

• Help you get the medical care you need

• Fight for the maximum compensation you deserve

📞 Right now, the smartest move you can make is this: call 818-784-8544 for a free, confidential case review.

There’s no risk, no obligation, and no pressure. Just clear answers, real guidance, and a team ready to stand between you and the insurance company.

Don’t wait. Waiting only helps them — not you.