A car crash happens in seconds. The injury claim that follows can take months. Small mistakes in the first few days can make that process harder, especially when filing a car accident claim in Los Angeles.
This guide outlines the main steps in a California injury claim, from the accident to settlement.
Step 1: Get Safe and Get Checked
If possible, get to a safe place. If anyone is injured, call 911 for assistance.
Even if you do not feel unwell, you should see a doctor. Some injuries, such as whiplash and concussions, may appear hours or days after the accident. Your medical records can also help link your injury to the collision, which is important when pursuing a car accident claim in Los Angeles, as insurance companies may try to dispute that connection.
Step 2: Collect Evidence at the Scene
Your phone is your best tool here. Gather what you can before you leave:
- Take photos of all vehicles, license plates, skid marks, and road signs
- Names, phone numbers, and insurance information for every driver
- Contact information for any witnesses
- The responding officer’s name and the report number.
Stay polite, but do not say the crash was your fault. Fault is often less clear than it feels in the moment.
Step 3: Report the Crash to the DMV
California law requires every driver in a crash to file a report with the DMV. You must file within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if the crash caused more than $1,000 in property damage to any one person. The rule comes from Vehicle Code 16000.
Fault does not matter here. Both drivers file. A police report cannot replace this form. The California Department of Motor Vehicles’ driver handbook includes this information.
Filing the required report is an important step when handling a car accident claim in Los Angeles.
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company
Tell your insurer about the crash as soon as possible. Stick to simple facts: where, when, and what happened.
The other driver’s adjuster may call you and ask for a recorded statement. You do not have to rush into one. Do not guess about your injuries or say you are “fine.” You may not know the full picture yet.
Be careful with settlement offers too. A quick check may look good. Early settlement offers may not cover months of treatment.
When managing a car accident claim in Los Angeles, keeping accurate records of insurance communications and medical expenses can help support your claim.
Step 5: Know Your Filing Deadlines
Deadlines decide whether a court will hear your case at all.
Most California injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury. That rule appears in Code of Civil Procedure 335.1.
Claims against a government body have a much shorter clock. If a city vehicle or a poorly kept public road caused your crash, you generally must file a written claim within six months. That rule is in Government Code 911.2.
Some exceptions can extend the two-year window. For instance, if an injured minor is the victim of a car accident, the clock stops until the minor turns 18 under Code of Civil Procedure § 352. Do not take an exception for granted; verify your facts.
Understanding these deadlines is essential when pursuing a car accident claim in Los Angeles, as missing a filing deadline can affect your ability to recover compensation.
How Fault Affects Your Car Accident Claim in Los Angeles?
California follows a rule called pure comparative negligence. The California Supreme Court set it in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). Under this rule, you can still recover money if you share some of the blame. Your payout just shrinks by your share of fault.
Here is a simple example. A jury finds your total damages are $100,000 and decides you were 20% at fault. You would recover $80,000.
This is why evidence matters. Photos, witness names, and medical records all help show who caused the crash and support your car accident claim in Los Angeles.
When Legal Help Makes Sense?
Some claims are simple. Others are not. Some injuries are serious, fault is unclear, and settlement offers are too low to make a simple claim worth a long ordeal.
In those cases, many people speak with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles before they sign anything. A lawyer can collect records, handle calls with the insurer, and keep track of your deadlines. Many injury lawyers also work on contingency, which means you pay no fee unless you recover money.
Final Thoughts
A car accident claim in Los Angeles goes more smoothly when you follow the right steps. Get medical care, document the accident scene, submit your DMV report when required, and keep track of important deadlines.
Ask a lawyer when the facts of your car accident claim become complicated. Taking the right steps early can help protect your rights and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
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