A car accident can turn an ordinary day into a life-altering event in seconds. In the chaos that follows a collision on a Los Angeles freeway or city street, most people don't know what steps to take — and the decisions you make in those first minutes and hours can dramatically affect your ability to recover compensation later.

Step 1: Stop, Stay Calm, and Move to Safety

California Vehicle Code Section 20001 requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop. If your vehicle is drivable and blocking traffic, move it to the shoulder or a safe area nearby. Turn on your hazard lights. If the vehicle cannot be moved, exit carefully and move well away from traffic. Take a deep breath — adrenaline will be running high, and your body may mask pain from injuries that won't become apparent for hours or even days.

Step 2: Call 911 Immediately

Always call 911 after a car accident, even if injuries appear minor. A police officer will document the scene and create an official accident report — this becomes a crucial piece of evidence in your claim. When speaking with the officer, stick to the facts. Describe what happened as accurately as you can, but do not speculate about fault or say anything like "I think it was my fault" or "I didn't see them." Even a well-intentioned apology can be interpreted as an admission of liability under California law.

Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene

If you're physically able, use your phone to gather as much evidence as possible before leaving the scene:

• Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, showing damage, license plates, and final resting positions relative to lane markings and traffic signals
• Photograph the road — skid marks, debris, traffic signals, stop signs, road conditions, weather, and visibility
• Photograph your injuries — any visible cuts, bruises, swelling, or bleeding
• Get witness information — names, phone numbers, and a brief note about what they observed
• Note the other driver's information — full name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and vehicle make, model, year, and color

This evidence is time-sensitive. Skid marks fade within hours, debris gets cleared by traffic or city crews, and witnesses leave the scene and become difficult to locate later.

Step 4: Seek Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine

This is arguably the most important step, and it's the one people skip most often. Many serious injuries do not produce immediate symptoms:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — symptoms like headaches, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems may not appear for hours or days after impact
• Internal bleeding — abdominal pain, dizziness, and fainting may develop gradually after blunt force trauma
• Herniated discs and spinal injuries — back and neck pain often worsens in the days following an accident as inflammation builds
• Soft tissue injuries — whiplash, torn ligaments, and muscle damage may initially be masked by adrenaline and shock

Visit an emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as possible after the accident. Tell the doctor you were in a car accident and describe every symptom, no matter how minor. The medical records created during this visit serve two critical purposes: they ensure you receive proper treatment, and they create a documented link between the accident and your injuries — evidence that is essential to your legal claim.

If you delay medical treatment, the insurance company will argue that your injuries either weren't caused by the accident or weren't serious enough to warrant the compensation you're seeking.

Step 5: Do NOT Talk to Insurance Companies Without an Attorney

The other driver's insurance company may contact you within hours of the accident. The adjuster will likely sound friendly and sympathetic, but make no mistake — their primary objective is to minimize the company's financial exposure. Common tactics include:

• Asking you to provide a recorded statement (which they will later mine for inconsistencies to use against you)
• Asking leading questions designed to minimize your injuries: "You're feeling better today, right?" or "So the pain isn't that bad?"
• Offering a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries or have consulted an attorney
• Requesting you sign a broad medical authorization that gives them access to your entire lifetime medical history — not just records related to the accident

Politely decline to give any statements and tell the adjuster your attorney will be in contact. You are not legally obligated to provide a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. Simply say: "I'd prefer to have my attorney handle all communications regarding this matter."

Step 6: Keep Detailed Records From Day One

Start organizing a file — physical or digital — with everything related to the accident:

• All medical bills, receipts, and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements
• Records of every doctor visit, specialist appointment, physical therapy session, and prescription
• Pay stubs, tax returns, or employer statements documenting lost wages and missed work days
• A written pain journal documenting your daily pain levels (on a 1-10 scale), emotional state, sleep quality, and limitations on daily activities
• All correspondence from insurance companies — keep every letter, email, and voicemail
• Receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident (transportation to appointments, home modifications, childcare during recovery)

This documentation builds the foundation of your claim and helps your attorney calculate the true value of your case — including damages that may not be immediately obvious.

Step 7: Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

The sooner you have legal representation, the stronger your position. An attorney can immediately preserve critical evidence before it's lost or destroyed, handle all communication with insurance companies so you don't inadvertently harm your claim, ensure you're receiving appropriate medical care and being referred to the right specialists, begin building a comprehensive case for maximum compensation, and protect you from the common mistakes that cost accident victims thousands of dollars.

At Khehra Law Corporation, we offer free consultations and work entirely on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (661) 383-9387.

Common Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Claim

• Admitting fault at the scene — even a casual "I'm sorry" can be weaponized by insurance companies as evidence of liability
• Posting about the accident on social media — insurance companies and defense attorneys actively monitor claimants' social media accounts and will use your posts, photos, and check-ins to argue that your injuries aren't as serious as claimed
• Accepting the first settlement offer — initial offers are strategically calculated to be far below the true value of your claim, and once you sign a release, you permanently waive your right to seek additional compensation
• Waiting too long to see a doctor — gaps in medical treatment create opportunities for insurers to argue that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident
• Trying to handle the claim yourself — studies consistently demonstrate that accident victims represented by attorneys recover significantly more in compensation than those who negotiate directly with insurance companies

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