A car crash in Los Angeles can feel like getting shoved into the middle of a busy freeway, even if it happened at a quiet stop sign. Your body’s full of adrenaline, cars are honking, and everyone wants answers right now.
The first steps matter because they protect your safety, create the medical records doctors need, and keep the insurance process from turning into a mess. California is a fault state, so the early details can affect who pays and how much. That’s why we treat the first minutes and the first days like a simple checklist, not a debate.
Below, we lay out a step-by-step plan for the minutes after the crash, what to capture at the scene, and what not to say to insurers. We’ll also point out common mistakes that quietly shrink injury claims.
Get safe first, then get help (what to do in the first 5 to 10 minutes)
In LA, the most dangerous part of a crash is often what happens after the impact. Drivers are changing lanes, staring at the wreck, and rushing through lights. A minor collision on Ventura Boulevard or Sepulveda can turn serious fast if someone gets clipped while standing in traffic.
Our order of operations is simple: protect people first, then cars, then paperwork.
If we’re able, we take a quick breath and look around. Is there smoke, leaking fluid, or a risk of fire? Are we in a lane on the 101, the 405, or in the middle of an intersection? If it’s not safe to stand outside, we don’t. We stay belted until we can move to a safer spot or help arrives.
If someone is screaming, dizzy, or holding their neck, we don’t “walk it off.” We call for help and keep things calm. The goal in the first minutes isn’t to solve the case, it’s to prevent a second injury.
For a broader overview of how our Los Angeles practice handles these cases, see https://www.cpinjuryattorneys.com/practice-area/car-accidents/
Check for injuries, call 911 when anyone is hurt, and do not downplay symptoms
We check ourselves and passengers first. Then we check on others if it’s safe. When anyone is hurt, we call 911. Even “small” symptoms can be a big deal, especially after a hard stop.
Some injuries show up later, like:
- whiplash and soft-tissue sprains
- concussion symptoms (headache, nausea, fogginess)
- back pain that starts the next morning
- numbness or tingling in arms or legs
Getting examined the same day does two things at once. It gets you treated early, and it creates a clear medical record tied to the crash. That record can matter if the insurance company questions whether the crash caused your injury.
If paramedics offer transport and you feel seriously hurt, we don’t let pride make the decision. We go.
Prevent a second crash, move vehicles only if it is safe, and use hazards and photos before towing
If the cars can move and it’s safe, we get out of travel lanes. On freeways, that usually means the shoulder or the nearest safe exit. On surface streets, it might mean a parking lot or side street. We turn on hazard lights right away.
If the car can’t move, we prioritize staying visible and protected. We avoid standing between vehicles and we keep kids and passengers away from traffic. It only takes one distracted driver to turn a fender bender into a tragedy.
If we can safely do it, we take a few quick photos before anything gets moved or towed. It’s not about making art, it’s about preserving the scene while it still exists.
Lock in the facts while you are still at the scene (photos, info, witnesses, and police)
Insurance disputes in Los Angeles often come down to one problem: everyone remembers it differently. Traffic is loud, stress is high, and later on, people fill in gaps without realizing it.
So we “lock in” facts while they’re fresh. Strong documentation makes claims smoother and reduces fights about fault. It also helps when the other driver changes their story a week later.
In many LA crashes, key details disappear quickly: skid marks fade, cars get towed, and nearby cameras overwrite footage. A few minutes of careful documenting can save months of frustration.
If we’re physically able, we do three things at the scene:
- Photograph the scene like we’re explaining it to someone who wasn’t there.
- Exchange the right information, no more and no less.
- Identify witnesses and get a report when it’s needed.
If you want a deeper checklist written for LA drivers, we also recommend https://www.cpinjuryattorneys.com/article/what-should-i-do-immediately-after-a-car-accident-in-los-angeles/
What to photograph and write down so we are not relying on memory later
We take both wide shots and close-ups. Wide shots show context, close-ups show detail. If we only take close-ups, the insurer can argue the damage “doesn’t match” the crash story.
Here’s what we capture when it’s safe:
- vehicle positions (before and after moving, if possible)
- damage on both cars (corners, bumpers, doors, wheels)
- license plates
- skid marks, debris, and broken glass
- traffic lights, stop signs, turn arrows, and lane markings
- road conditions (potholes, oil, construction cones)
- weather and lighting (rain, glare, darkness)
- visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling)
We also make a quick voice note on our phone: time, location, direction of travel, and a plain description of what happened. Short is fine. The point is to preserve the first clean version of events before stress and sleep change it.
Exchange the right information, talk to witnesses, and get an official report when needed
We exchange these basics:
- full name and contact info
- driver’s license number
- license plate number
- insurance company and policy number (or at least the policy holder info)
- vehicle make and model
If there are witnesses, we get names and phone numbers. If they’re willing, we ask for one sentence on what they saw, then we write it down. Independent witnesses can break a “your word versus theirs” stalemate.
Calling police is especially important when there are injuries, major damage, or an argument about fault. In LA, response may come from LAPD, CHP (often freeway crashes), or the Sheriff’s Department depending on location. When officers respond, we ask for the report number and the agency, then we write it down so we can request the report later.
Protect your claim in the next 24 to 72 hours (insurance, deadlines, and common mistakes)
Once we leave the scene, the pressure shifts. Now the calls start. You might get a friendly adjuster, a quick settlement offer, or a request for a recorded statement while you’re still sore and tired.
This is where many good claims go bad, not because the injury isn’t real, but because paperwork and words get twisted.
As a Los Angeles injury firm, we focus on two goals in the first few days: protect your health, and protect the story the evidence tells. If you’re curious about rideshare crashes with layered insurance, this guide can help: https://www.cpinjuryattorneys.com/article/rideshare-accidents-in-la-what-to-do-after-an-uber-or-lyft-injury/
Report the crash quickly, follow California reporting rules, and keep every record in one place
We notify our own insurance company promptly. Many policies have notice requirements, and waiting can create problems even when the other driver caused the crash.
California also has a DMV reporting rule many people miss. If the crash caused injury or death, or property damage over $1,000, drivers generally must file a DMV report (often called an SR-1) within 10 days. That deadline comes fast when you’re dealing with pain, repairs, and missed work.
We keep a single folder (digital or paper) with:
- ER or urgent care discharge papers
- doctor notes, imaging orders, and diagnoses
- receipts (meds, braces, co-pays)
- mileage and parking for appointments
- pay stubs and missed work notes
- repair estimates, towing, rental receipts
One organized folder can raise the quality of a claim because it makes losses harder to ignore.
Be careful with the other driver’s insurance adjuster, and avoid statements that can be used against us
The other driver’s insurer may call quickly. Adjusters can sound kind, casual, and helpful. Their job, though, is to pay as little as the policy allows.
We keep it simple:
- we get their name, phone, claim number, and email
- we confirm basic facts (date, location, vehicles)
- we decline detailed statements until we’ve gotten legal advice
We also avoid signing medical authorizations or broad releases without review. Those forms can give insurers access to years of unrelated records, then they try to blame your pain on an old issue.
Two other pitfalls we avoid:
- No guessing about fault at the scene or on calls.
- No posting about the crash on social media, even “feeling better today.” Those posts can get screenshotted and used against you.
If the crash was a hit-and-run, the steps change and timing matters even more. This resource explains options: https://www.cpinjuryattorneys.com/article/hit-and-run-accidents-in-los-angeles-your-options-for-compensation/
FAQs: settlement value, damages in California, and how long an LA car accident claim takes
What affects the value of a Los Angeles car accident case?
Medical proof, time missed from work, the type of treatment, and whether the insurance company disputes fault all matter. The same crash can lead to different outcomes depending on records, follow-through, and coverage limits.
What damages can we claim in California after a car crash?
| Damage type | What it can include |
|---|---|
| Economic damages | medical bills, rehab, lost wages, future care costs, property loss |
| Non-economic damages | pain, sleep loss, anxiety, reduced daily function |
| Out-of-pocket costs | prescriptions, rides to appointments, parking, home help |
Why online settlement calculators aren’t reliable
Calculators can’t see the real issues that drive value, like disputed liability, gaps in treatment, future care needs, or how a concussion affects your work. They also can’t see policy limits, which often cap what’s available.
How long does a claim usually take?
It depends on treatment length and how hard the insurer fights. Many cases can’t settle fairly until we understand the full medical picture. Quick offers often arrive before that, when you still don’t know if you’ll need imaging, injections, or extended therapy.
Can we handle a case ourselves?
Sometimes, yes, if it’s truly minor property damage, no injury treatment, and no dispute on fault. If you have pain, an ER visit, missed work, or any pressure to settle fast, it’s smart to at least talk with a lawyer.
Conclusion
In Los Angeles, the best plan after a crash comes in three phases: the first minutes (get safe and get help), the scene itself (document and identify witnesses), and the next few days (report, treat, and don’t give insurers extra ammunition).
We also watch for clear signs you should get legal help: any injury treatment or ER visit, time missed from work, disputed fault, a crash involving an Uber, Lyft, or commercial vehicle, or an insurance company pushing you to settle before you’ve even had follow-up care.
If you’re in that spot, we can take the load off. We can gather evidence, track down reports, handle insurance calls, and build a claim that reflects the full cost of what happened. You focus on healing, and we’ll focus on protecting your case with direct attorney communication and the kind of hands-on support people need after a wreck.