What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in California

Quick Answer: After a California car accident: (1) call 911 and get medical care, (2) photograph vehicles, scene, and injuries, (3) exchange information, (4) report the crash to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or damage exceeds $1,000 (Form SR-1), and (5) speak to a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to an insurer.

According to NHTSA fatality data, California records more than 4,400 traffic deaths per year — among the highest totals of any state — and the California Office of Traffic Safety reports over 200,000 people injured in crashes annually.

Step 1: Stay at the Scene — Always

California law requires you to remain at the scene of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage. Leaving can result in criminal hit-and-run charges regardless of fault.

Step 2: Call 911

Even if injuries seem minor, get police to the scene. A police report creates an official record. Officers document witness statements, road conditions, and observable damage. Without a police report, insurers routinely dispute liability.

Step 3: Document Everything Before It Changes

Use your phone immediately: photograph all vehicles, film a 360° video of the scene, photograph the other driver's license and insurance card, and get names of every witness. Scenes change. Evidence disappears. Surveillance footage gets overwritten.

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

Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries often present hours or days after impact. Going to the ER the same day creates a medical record tying your injuries to the accident.

Step 5: Do Not Speak to the Other Driver's Insurance Company

They will call. They are not your friend. Anything you say — including 'I am fine' — can be used to minimize your claim.

Step 6: Contact an Attorney Before Accepting Any Settlement

California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Insurers often push for quick, lowball settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back.