What to do in the first 24 hours after a car accident in California

The first day after a crash is confusing. You may be sore, your car may not start, and the other driver’s insurance company may already be calling. What you do in these first 24 hours can protect your health and your claim. Here is a plain checklist you can follow, even from your phone.

First, make sure everyone is safe

If you can, move out of traffic to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot and turn on your hazard lights. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. California law requires you to stop at the scene of any crash that involves an injury or damage to property. Stay calm and don’t argue about who caused it. Police and insurers will look at fault later.

What to do at the scene

1. Call the police. A police report gives you an independent record of what happened. If officers don’t come out, write down the time you called and the location.
2. Swap information with the other driver. Get their name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, insurance company and policy number.
3. Take photos. Photograph both cars, the road, traffic signals, skid marks and any cuts or bruises. Wide shots help as much as close-ups.
4. Get witness names and numbers. People leave quickly, and an independent witness can make a real difference later.
5. Say as little as possible about fault. Being polite is fine, but a simple “I’m sorry” can be read as admitting blame.

Get checked by a doctor the same day

Adrenaline can hide pain for hours. Whiplash, concussions and back injuries often show up the next morning. Go to urgent care, the emergency room or your own doctor within 24 hours, and tell them you were in a car accident. A same-day visit protects your health, and it creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash. Waiting gives the insurance company room to argue you were hurt somewhere else.

Keep a simple record

Start a folder or a note on your phone today. It takes a few minutes a day and saves a lot of stress later. Keep track of:

• The claim number and the name of every adjuster who calls you
• Receipts for towing, a rental car, prescriptions and co-pays
• Days you miss from work and the pay you lose
• A few lines each day about your pain, your sleep and what you can’t do
• Every letter, email and text from any insurance company

Report the crash to the right places

Tell your own insurance company about the crash soon, and stick to the basic facts. In California you also have to report the crash to the DMV on an SR-1 form within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed, or if property damage is over $1,000. This is separate from any police report, and it’s your job to file it.

Don’t sign or settle too soon

Early offers often arrive before you know how badly you’re hurt or how long treatment will take. Once you sign a release, you usually can’t ask for more later. In California you generally have two years from the accident to file an injury lawsuit, and some deadlines are much shorter, such as six months to file a claim against a city, county or state agency. Getting advice early keeps your options open.