Knowing what to do after a fender bender accident isn’t always clear. Even though these collisions are generally considered less serious, people can suffer injuries in fender benders. When a car crash results in an injury, California law allows victims to pursue compensation for their losses.
Following a fender bender accident, there are important steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights if you later need to file an injury claim. Even if the damage seems minor, you deserve full and fair compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and other expenses if someone else caused the collision.
Keep reading to learn more about simple but crucial things you can do in the aftermath of a Sacramento fender bender to safeguard your interests.
Steps You Should Take After a Fender Bender
Here is a list of steps you can take after a crash:
Stay at the accident scene – Take necessary precautions to ensure your safety at the crash site. Move your car out of traffic if you can. However, you’re required to stay at the accident scene to render aid and exchange information with the other drivers. Failing to do so could result in your being charged with a hit-and-run.
Contact the authorities – Call 911 to notify the police of the accident so they can send an investigating police officer and emergency medical services if anyone was injured. The police officer will fill out an accident report, which will be important to your claim.
Exchange contact and insurance information – Gather important information from the other drivers involved in the fender bender. This includes names, contact information, driver’s license details, and insurance and registration information. Also record details about the other vehicles, such as the license plate numbers, color, make, and model.
Record the contact information of any witnesses – Witnesses to the accident can provide unbiased testimony that can be crucial to your case.
Collect evidence – Take photos or videos of the crash scene, noting details such as skid marks, damage to the vehicles, traffic lights, and any visible injuries. Also keep information following the accident, such as medical receipts, medical records, and the repair estimate for your vehicle.
Seek medical treatment – One of the most important steps following a crash is seeking treatment. If you didn’t receive medical attention at the accident scene, schedule an appointment with a physician who can evaluate you and determine the type of treatment you need, if any. Remember that injuries do not always show up immediately after an accident, especially a fender bender. Be sure to see a doctor as soon as symptoms emerge.
Don’t admit fault – Refrain from saying anything that can be construed as accepting responsibility for the fender bender. It’s often impossible to tell who is to blame for an accident until an investigation is complete. Even saying something like “I’m sorry” could later be used against you.
Contact an attorney – A Sacramento car accident lawyer can handle each step of the claims process to protect your rights and help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and losses while you focus on healing.
Do I have to Report a Minor Car Accident in California?
California law requires reporting vehicle collisions to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days if:
- A person suffers injury or death; or
- There’s more than $1,000 in property damage.
It might seem like a significant inconvenience getting the police involved, but it could benefit you in the future. If you were injured or damaged your car and want documentation of what happened, call 911. An officer should arrive at the scene to investigate and write a report detailing the events leading up to the accident, who they believe was at fault, and the location of all property damage.
Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
Questions about your options following a fender bender? The experienced car accident attorneys in Sacramento at Demas Law Group, P.C. can help. Contact us today.
