When you get into a car accident in California, there are some things that you should do immediately. This includes getting the other person’s details, recording damages, and taking a trip to the ER. Similarly, there are things you should always avoid doing when you get into an accident.
We took a look at some of the best steps to take after a car accident to make life easier. Here are some do’s and don’ts for you to consider. Hopefully these tips are helpful to you.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Californian Car Accidents
Without further ado, here are a few of the do’s and some of the don’ts of getting into a car accident in the California area…
Do…
Let’s start with the Do’s.
Do Take Photos
When you get into a car accident it is important that you can prove your version of events is correct. It is easy enough to mis-remember something, but if you have photographic evidence it is much harder to claim a bad memory.
Take as many photographs of the scene, accident, and damages, as possible. All of it will work in your favour should you have to go to court.
Do Visit the ER
You need to go to the hospital. Whether you need to go for an injury (in which case do this first and get a car accident attorney to gather evidence on your behalf), or whether you just need the slip of paper to prove you were in a car accident, doesn’t matter. Visit the ER and there will be a permanent record of the accident.
Do Find Witnesses
It is vital to ask around at the scene of the accident. It is highly likely that someone saw what happened and will be able to give the police statements. Make sure you take names and addresses, as well as phone numbers, if you can. Pass these either to your car accident lawyer or to the police.
Don’ts
Likewise, here are some things you shouldn’t do if you get into a car accident in California.
Don’t Admit Fault
Whether you are to blame or not, admitting fault – even by saying sorry – is a massive car accident no-no. This can and will be used against you later, perhaps even in a court of law. Admitting fault and/or apologising is an admission that you were the one to blame. That’s how a jury will see it, even if it’s not necessarily the case.
Don’t Go Home
When you just go home, there is no ER log of an accident happening to you on that day, at that time. In court, this translates to there being nothing wrong with you. Should you later develop whiplash or some other condition relating to the accident – you won’t be able to prove that’s where you were injured.
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
If you feel that you can handle the legal side of a car accident alone – think again. Even top lawyers hire someone else to process their case if they get into a car accident in California. Why? They know that there is always a risk of biased and emotional involvement when they represent themselves.
Rounding Up
If you follow the outlined above, you should be able to navigate the troubled waters of a car accident on your own.
