California Car Accident Lawyer

General Considerations
Print this document and store it in your glove-compartment along with a small pad and pencil. Use them in the event of an auto accident. It is not practical to do all of the things listed below. However, after an accident, attempt to accomplish as many of the suggestions as possible.

So, You've Had An Accident
You have just been involved in an automobile accident. Your first reaction is probably one of disbelief and confusion. You are asking yourself, how did this happen? I was just driving along minding my own business and all of a sudden my car is hit by another car. You may be angry and you may be injured. If you are angry, try to maintain self-control or you may forget to obtain valuable information or make statements which will come back to haunt you later. If you are injured, get medical treatment as soon as possible.

Must I Stop?
Yes. You must stop-whether the accident involves a pedestrian, moving car, parked car or someone's property. If you leave the scene, you are guilty of "hit and run" - even if the accident is not your fault. Hit and run penalties are severe, resulting in a large fine, jail, loss of license or all of these. If you hit a parked car, try to find the driver. If you cannot, then you may drive away only after leaving behind your name, address and an explanation of the accident. You must also notify the police authorities. Where death or injury results, an officer comes to the scene and makes a written report which is available to you and others.

What If Someone Is Injured?
You must give reasonable assistance to injured persons. For example, you may need to call an ambulance, take the injured person to a doctor or hospital, or give first aid. Do not move a badly injured person. You might make him worse. If the person is in danger of being hurt worse or killed, you should move him anyway. In this event, extreme caution should be exercised For example, if a woman is thrown from her car onto the freeway, carefully move her to a safer place. Warn other motorists that an accident has occurred. Placing flares on the road, turning on your car's hazard lights and lifting the engine hood are good ways to warn oncoming traffic. Get help for any injured persons, and try not to panic.

How Can I Get Help?
Get to a phone and call the police authority. Where it is an emergency, dial 911. If the victim needs an ambulance or fire engine, advise the 911 operator. If you are not near a phone, flag down a passing car and ask the driver to go for help while you remain at the scene.