July 10, 2026 | By Greene Broillet & Wheeler
Key Takeaways
- Contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
- California law requires all drivers involved in a collision to stop and exchange information.
- Documenting the scene with photos, witness contacts, and road conditions strengthens an injury claim.
- Injuries like whiplash can develop hours after a crash and should receive prompt medical evaluation.
When a crash happens on a Los Angeles freeway or a neighborhood street, the decisions made in the first few minutes have more legal significance than many people realize. Knowing what to do after a car accident in California means understanding both your obligations under state law and the steps that protect your right to recover.
At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers have represented serious injury victims across Los Angeles and throughout California for over five decades. The sooner you call us after a car crash in Los Angeles, the sooner we can start building the strongest possible claim for you. From East L.A. to Long Beach and Calabasas to Pasadena, wherever you are in Los Angeles County, we are prepared to represent you after a car accident.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Understanding what to do after a car accident can feel overwhelming in the moment, but
The actions taken at the scene shape the evidence available later.
The following steps can help protect both your health and your claim, and reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible is often the first step worth taking.
Stop Immediately
Under California Vehicle Code § 20003, drivers involved in a collision resulting in injury or death must stop, provide identifying information, and render reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene creates serious criminal exposure, separate from any civil claim the other party may file.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and any passengers first, then check on the other vehicle’s occupants if it is safe to do so. Call 911 immediately if there is any possibility someone is hurt. Concussions and internal injuries can go unnoticed right after impact, so requesting paramedics matters even when injuries seem minor.
Get to Safety
If the vehicles are drivable, move to the shoulder or a nearby lot and activate your hazard lights. Remaining in an active lane after a Los Angeles freeway collision carries a serious secondary risk that can exceed the danger of the initial crash.
Call the Police
Request a police response even when the collision appears minor. An officer-generated report creates a timestamped record of the event, the parties involved, and conditions at the scene. Insurers and attorneys can rely on this document, and without it, reconstructing a crash can become significantly harder. This police report often plays a vital role in car accident claims, especially when the cause of a crash is disputed.
Exchange Information
According to the California DMV driver handbook, drivers must exchange names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance information after every collision. Collect the other driver’s license number as well, and do not leave the scene without this information.
| Information |
What to Collect |
| Driver |
Name and address |
| License |
Driver’s license number |
| Vehicle |
Make, model, plate, and registration number |
| Insurance |
Insurance and policy information |
| Witnesses |
Names and phone numbers |
Having this information creates a record of the people, vehicles, and insurance coverage involved in the collision and can help preserve important details for a potential claim.
Take Photos
If you or a passenger are able to, photograph vehicle damage from multiple angles, license plates, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Time-stamped images create a visual record difficult to challenge later. Capture road conditions and any nearby signage relevant to how the crash unfolded. Your attorney can identify what additional evidence may strengthen your claim.
Identify Witnesses
If you or a passenger are able to, before bystanders leave, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witnesses who had no involvement in the crash carry significant credibility with insurers and juries alike.
Gather Data
Note the time, date, exact location, weather, lighting, and road surface conditions. Rain, low visibility, and road defects can all influence how fault is assigned under California’s comparative fault framework. An attorney can help ensure this information is preserved and properly documented before details fade.
What to Avoid After a Car Crash
Knowing what to do after a car accident includes knowing what not to do. The scene of a collision is disorienting, and certain instinctive responses can create legal problems that outlast the crash itself:
- Seek medical evaluation even when injuries seem minor. Soft tissue injuries and certain traumatic conditions present with delayed symptoms. Any gap between the crash and medical treatment gives insurers potential grounds to argue your injuries were unrelated to the accident.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer without legal counsel. Adjusters are often trained to ask questions designed to limit payout, and speaking with an attorney who is on your side first can protect your position.
Understanding where claims are most vulnerable is where legal guidance matters most.
Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today
A Los Angeles car accident can leave lasting consequences. Having the right legal team from the start can make a significant difference in what you recover. Greene Broillet & Wheeler represents seriously injured clients across Los Angeles and can help you pursue the full compensation available under California law. Call (866) 634-4525 to schedule a free consultation.
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us
Briana Mitchel
3 weeks ago
A great firm! Hannah, the legal intake specialist, was especially helpful and knowledgeable. Would recommend to anyone looking for Personal Injury lawyers!
Michael Dansey
1 month ago
The Greene Broillet intake team were thorough, responsive, and clearly cared about the people, not just the case.
Nikki Bayar
1 month ago
I had a great experience working with this firm. The team was professional, responsive, and very helpful throughout the entire process. They took the time to answer all of my questions, explain each step clearly (especially one of their paralegals Hannah who was awesome to work with). Everyone I interacted with was knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely cared about helping. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for a team they can trust.
Bruce A. Broillet
Bruce A. Broillet is a nationally recognized California trial lawyer and partner, inducted into both the CAALA Hall of Fame and the Lawdragon Hall of Fame, and a member of the elite Inner Circle of Advocates. He has achieved numerous seven- and eight-figure results, including a $3.3 billion settlement against Big Tobacco, the landmark $55 million Erin Andrews verdict, and the largest legal malpractice verdict in California history. Widely regarded as one of the state’s most accomplished plaintiff lawyers, Bruce is a former Consumer Attorney of the Year and a perennial honoree of Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
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