California Car Accident Lawyer

Must I Furnish Proof of Insurance?
The police officer may ask you to prove you have auto insurance. You must show the officer your insurance company's name and your policy number. If you're not insured or can't prove that you are financially responsible in some other way, many states require that you lose your license for a period of time. If you tell the officer you have insurance when you don't, you can be fined, sent to jail, or both. Keep your insurance company's name and your policy number. There may be other consequences of not having liability insurance. In California, for instance, your ability to recover damages is severely limited if you do not have liability insurance, or you are under the influence of alcohol, whether the accident is your fault or not!

What If One Of The Drivers Has Been Drinking?
If a police officer suspects you of drinking and asks you to take an alcohol test, you could lose your license if you don't cooperate. Penalties for drunk driving are severe. Accidents resulting in death have resulted in prison for many people. Blood tests are the most accurate tests and breath tests the least accurate. If you are absolutely sure you have not reached the legal limit in your state, you should take a blood test since you do not wish an inaccurate test. Blood tests are the hardest of the three tests (blood, breath or urine) to prove inaccurate. Therefore, to the person not legally under the influence of alcohol, a blood test would be a good choice. If a person believes he may be legally under the influence, he should take a breath test because it is easier for his attorney to argue against the validity of a breath test than a blood test. The best advice is still, "If you drive, don't drink."

Must I Wear A Seat Belt?
In most states you and your passengers can be given tickets for not wearing seat belts. The driver also can be ticketed and receive severe consequences if a young child (age depends on the state) is not protected by a special safety seat.

Should I See A Doctor After The Accident?
It is against the law to file a false insurance claim or knowingly make a false statement to the police. However, if you feel the slightest pain, anywhere, be sure to say so at the scene of the accident. Otherwise, the witnesses and the Police will say that you said nothing of injury, or denied injury altogether.

If you are injured you will want to obtain medical treatment as soon as possible. If you are transported to the hospital by ambulance, make sure to tell the ambulance attendants all of your symptoms. When you arrive at the hospital emergency room, repeat all of your symptoms to them. Be sure to mention any symptom you have, even if you hurt just a little, a slight pain can turn into a major problem later and the earlier you have mentioned the problem to a doctor, the better. If you did not go to the hospital immediately following the accident and you have any symptoms of injury, go to your doctor or an urgent care facility as soon as possible. Make sure to relate all of your symptoms to the doctor.

If the doctor recommends follow up care or physical therapy, make sure you attend all of your scheduled appointments and tell your doctor or therapist any and all problems you are having. Again, do not fail to mention any pain you have. If you have missed work, be sure to tell your doctor so it will be noted in your medical record. You should also ask your doctor for a work release or disability note for your employer, making sure to keep a copy for your own records. Additionally, if you miss work, make sure to tell your employer you were injured in an automobile accident.

You may not have a treating doctor, if so Cunningham & Lansden will refer you to a medical doctor or a chiropractor for treatment. If you do not have medical insurance, the doctor may be willing to treat you on a lien basis. Additionally, you may have medical payments insurance available under your automobile insurance coverage.