A car accident can leave you shaken, injured, and unsure what to do next. Whether it happened on Highway 99, at a busy intersection like Shaw and Blackstone, or in any Fresno parking lot, the same five steps apply.
1. Check for Injuries and Get to a Safe Location
Your first priority after a crash is safety. Check yourself and anyone else in your vehicle for injuries. If someone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. If no one is injured and your vehicle can be moved safely, California’s DMV advises drivers to move their vehicles out of traffic. This can help prevent additional collisions and keep emergency routes clear.
If you are unsure whether you or a passenger has been injured, consider seeking medical attention. Some injuries may not be immediately obvious after a collision. Seeking medical attention isn’t just about your health; it also creates a medical record connecting your injury to the accident, which matters if you end up filing a claim.
After getting to a safe location, contact law enforcement when appropriate.
2. Exchange Information and Document the Scene
California drivers involved in a collision must stop and provide identifying information to the other parties involved. The California DMV says drivers should exchange their:
- Driver’s license information
- Vehicle registration information
- Insurance information
- Current address
If police respond, get the responding officer’s name and badge number. That’s how you’ll track down the official report later.
3. Document the Scene
Photos and other evidence can become important later when insurance companies investigate what happened.
Consider taking pictures of:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- The position of the vehicles
- License plates
- Skid marks or debris
- Traffic lights and signs
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
- Visible injuries
If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. If the other driver flees the scene, don’t chase them. Note whatever details you can, including color, make, model, partial plate, and direction of travel, and call 911 immediately.
4. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company and the DMV
Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly; most policies require it. Stick to the facts: when, where, and what happened.
Avoid speculating about fault or downplaying how you feel (“I’m probably fine”). These statements can end up in your claim file and get used against you later, especially if injuries turn out to be more serious than they seemed at first.
If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you directly, you’re not obligated to give them a recorded statement right away. It’s reasonable to say you’re still gathering information and will follow up.
You may also have a separate obligation to report the collision to the California DMV. California requires an SR-1 Report of Traffic Accident to be filed with the DMV within 10 days if: Anyone was injured or killed, even if the injury appears minor, or property damage exceeded $1,000.
5. Get Medical Attention and Keep Records
Some injuries, including certain neck, back, and soft-tissue injuries, may not feel serious immediately after a collision. If you experience pain or other symptoms after a crash, consider seeking medical attention.
Save everything: photos, medical bills, repair estimates, time missed from work, and any correspondence with insurance companies. These records add up to the real cost of an accident, which is often more than it first appears, especially with injuries that take weeks to fully surface.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Fresno?
Not every fender bender needs a lawyer. But it’s worth talking to one before you sign anything from an insurance company or accept a settlement offer, especially if:
- You were injured, even if it seems minor at first, or your injuries require ongoing medical treatment
- Fault is disputed or unclear, including cases where the other driver denies responsibility
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
- Multiple vehicles were involved, including a commercial vehicle or 18-wheeler
- The insurance company denies, undervalues, or pressures you to settle your claim quickly
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to close claims for as little as possible, and early settlement offers are often lower than what a case is actually worth.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Fresno? Hernandez Law Is Here When You Need Us
A car accident can create questions about medical treatment, insurance coverage, vehicle damage, lost income, and your next steps. At Hernandez Law, we’ve helped drivers throughout Fresno and Madera for over 40 years understand their legal options. If you’ve been in an accident and aren’t sure what to do next, call us for a free consultation at (559) 449-8150. Hablamos Español.
