If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in California, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, PLC, our California car accident lawyers can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your losses following an accident. Our Ventura car accident lawyers can help you understand how to handle your crash and personal injury claim after a collision in California.

Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Car Accident in California

After being involved in a car crash in California, it’s easy to feel confused, stressed, and overwhelmed. This is especially true for people who have been injured in an accident. While it’s understandable to feel despaired in such situation, there are things you need to do. Some of the measures you should take after a car accident are:

Don’t Abandon the Scene

One of the worst things you can do after being involved in a crash in California is abandoning the crash scene. No matter the magnitude of the collision, you should stay at the scene and make sure you and those involved in the accident are okay. Abandoning the scene can lead to “hit and run” charges, which can have severe consequences over your life.

Call 9-1-1

After an accident, safety should be of utmost priority. If you are able to, make sure to call 9-1-1 and report the crash. This emergency service system will dispatch a unit to the crash site and tend to your injuries and the injuries of those involved in your accident. Calling 9-1-1 is essential to make sure your injuries are assessed by a medical professional who can clear you and eliminate the possibility of any underlying health issues. Remember, you may show signs of injuries hours after the accident.

Report Your Accident to the Police

As soon as a medical professional clears you, make sure to report your accident to the police. This is a critical step following an accident. An officer will arrive at the scene and investigate the crash. After examining the collision, interviewing witnesses, and gathering relevant information, they will write a report. This report is essential as it collects all pertinent information related to your crash. Additionally, the police report can be used in future proceedings such as an insurance claim.

Take Pictures

If you are medically able to, take as many pictures of the accident as you can. Make sure to take photos of your vehicle, the other party’s vehicle, and the crash scene as a whole. Additionally, if you have visible injuries, record them on your phone or camera. All this information is pertinent, helpful, and vital moving forward.

Gather Essential Information

One of the best things you can do – if not the most critical – is gathering all essential information related to the parties in the accident. For instance, after a car accident, you should make sure to collect relevant information such as the parties’ names, mail address, e-mail, cell phone numbers, and insurance information. All this data can be helpful in the long run.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in California

Before you decide to file a lawsuit after a car accident, you need to establish liability. In other words, you need to identify the liable parties in the car accident to determine whether you can file a lawsuit against them. Additionally, California law follows a legal doctrine known as “pure comparative negligence.” Under this doctrine, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries. However, the amount of payment can be reduced depending on your percentage of responsibility for the occurrence of the accident.

For instance, if you were awarded $100,000, but were found liable for 10% for the accident, you will be able to recover $90,000. Additionally, you may be able to obtain compensation after you have shown the court that the negligent parties caused your losses through negligence. To achieve this, you will need to show that they owed you a duty of care that was breached, that you were injured and, as a result, suffered losses that justify the concession of a remedy.

Our Ventura personal injury lawyers can help you understand how the complete process works and guide you through all the necessary steps.

California Car Accident Attorneys Offering Free Consultations

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries due to the negligent actions or omissions of a careless, reckless driver, our California car accident lawyers can help. At The Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, our skilled, dedicated, and experienced lawyers understand the difficulties associated with an injury. That is why we dedicate ourselves to fighting aggressively and strategically to get the compensation you deserve for your losses. Let our experience, dedication, and knowledge work for you. To learn more about your specific situation in a free, confidential consultation with one of our California personal injury lawyers, call our law offices today at (805) 643-5555.