We Can Help You and Your Family in English, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog!
What To Do After A Car Crash Giving a Voice to the Injured for Over 20 Years

What to Do After a Car Crash

San Jose Car Accident Lawyer Explains Car Crash Next Steps

Car CrashCar crashes are stressful. Your adrenaline is running and you may have suffered injuries. This may be the first time you have ever been in this situation, and you may be uncertain about what to do next. Knowing some easy steps to take after an accident to protect you and your family can take some stress out of the situation. Below, San Jose car accident lawyer Braid Pezzaglia explains what to do after a car crash.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

1. Check yourself, passengers and other parties for injuries.

Before you do anything else, make sure that you are not visibly injured before you move. If anyone has injuries, call 9-1-1 right away. Let them know that someone or more than one person needs medical attention.

2. Call 9-1-1.

It is a good idea to contact the police even if you do not believe anyone is seriously injured. There are benefits to having the police come to the scene. The police can:

  • Protect the accident scene. The police can block off oncoming traffic to help avoid any further damage.
  • Call emergency services if needed. In the event of an injury, the police can make sure an ambulance and other emergency services come to the scene.
  • Create a police report. You need a police report if you plan to file a car accident claim. The police report should contain important information about the accident, including information about the parties involved, witnesses and the scene. It may also contain details about how the accident occurred.

You should request information about the police officer(s) that come to the scene. Ask for badge number(s) and name(s). You should also request the police report number and ask where you can request a copy of the police report.

3. Exchange information with all parties involved.

After a car accident in San Jose, it is important to exchange information with all involved parties. This is especially true if the police do not respond to the accident scene. Information to exchange includes:

  • Full name
  • Contact information
  • Insurance information, including company and policy number
  • Drivers license number
  • License plate number

When exchanging information, avoid saying anything that may make you seem at-fault for the accident. Do not apologize that the accident happened. Unfortunately, even a simple statement about being sorry can be used against you later. Avoid discussing fault or details of the crash altogether.

Other important information you should write down includes:

  • Location of the accident
  • Time of day that the accident occurred
  • Weather when the accident occurred
  • Type of vehicles involved

4. Exchange information with any witnesses.

If any witnesses were on the scene, try to exchange contact information with them. Though this information may be part of the police report, you may need to contact witnesses later.

5. Document the car crash scene.

This step is very important. You want to document as much as you can about the car wreck. Take pictures and videos of:

  • Damage to your vehicle and the other involved vehicle(s)
  • License plates
  • Your injuries and/or injuries to your passengers
  • Accident scene that may show lighting conditions, weather conditions or any other environmental factors
  • Road conditions at the time of the accident

If you need to file a car accident claim, then you need evidence of the scene. Do not solely rely on the police report, because it may not be 100 percent accurate and it may not be in your favor.

6. Seek medical attention.

If you did not receive medical attention at the car accident scene, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine, a medical evaluation is important for two reasons:

  • You may have dormant or underlying injuries. During a car accident, your adrenaline may negate the pain from an injury. However, injuries, such as whiplash or a concussion can manifest hours or even days after an accident.
  • You protect your potential rights by seeking medical attention. If you need to file a claim for injuries, then it is important to have a paper trail that links your injuries with the accident. If you wait to see a doctor, then the insurance company may try to suggest that another incident caused your injuries.

7. Notify your insurance company.

You should notify your insurance company that you were involved in an accident. Your insurance policy may have a timeline on how long you have to notify them of the accident. It is important that you do not miss this deadline. However, avoid making any statements about the accident that may place fault on you. Do not make any statements to the other party’s insurance company until you consult with an attorney about it.

8. Discuss your situation with a car accident attorney.

We cannot recommend this step enough. Even if the accident seems minor, you want to make sure that you are protecting your legal rights. Before giving a statement to the insurance company, review the circumstances with an attorney. There is generally no risk to you to do this. Many car accident lawyers in San Jose offer a free case evaluation – we do.

Insurance companies start their investigations right away. You should have an experienced car accident attorney in San Jose working on your behalf to do the same. Keep in mind that it is much more difficult to preserve evidence and build a strong case if you wait. You may have a viable claim to recover compensation for car accident damages like medical bills and lost wages. An attorney can help to make sure that you recover a fair settlement from the insurance company.

If you do have a case, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have out-of-pocket attorneys fees. We do not get paid unless you receive a settlement or verdict on your case.

About San Jose Car Accident Attorney Braid Pezzaglia

San Jose auto accident lawyer Braid Pezzaglia has more than 20 years of experience fighting for accident victims in San Jose and Santa Clara County. Let’s discuss the circumstances surrounding your accident. We can answer any questions you may have about your accident. Then, we can help you determine your best legal options and next steps.

Call us at (408) 650-8955 or contact us online.

Why Choose the Law Offices of
Braid Pezzaglia

We Give the Injured a Voice
  • Experienced & Dedicated Counsel

    Attorney Braid Pezzaglia has over 20 years of dedicated legal experience and provides legal counsel and guidance in five languages, including Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog. We work to customize your experience for your needs.

  • Personalized Strategies & Results

    Unlike other firms, our firm cares about instilling confidence in both you and your case. Our attorneys work one-on-one with you to ensure that your unique needs and goals are not only understood but obtained.

  • Accountable & Transparent

    At the Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia, we pride ourselves on always being available to our clients and we make it our main priority to keep you informed on how our team is working to obtain the best possible result on your behalf

    Highly Recommend

    “They are easy to talk with and are responsive. I feel like they have a genuine interest in their clients as people as well as the matters they work on. I highly recommend anyone to consult with Braid if they have an injury case to discuss.”

    - Elwin Y.
    He is a great lawyer and he proved it!

    “I’ve dealt with different lawyers and Braid is the only one that genuinely listens and tries to help you out even if he isn’t getting a job out of it. Hands down I wouldn’t even consider anyone else.”

    - David J.
    Attorney Braid Pezzaglia comes highly recommended.

    “Just the brief encounter and conversation I had with Braid he was getting the job done by asking the right questions and interested in assisting my situation. Attorney Braid you are one of the Best in Silicon Valley!”

    - Sharon G.
    Highly Recommend

    “Braid took on a very tough Insurance company on my behalf. Their client was 100% at fault, but they still tried to stonewall and low ball me on a settlement. Through patience and perseverance, Braid got me a great settlement.”

    - Sean F.
    God Bless you both.

    “Aida Gatchalian and Braid Pezzaglia have been great a team to work with. I would like to show my deepest gratitude towards Braid and Aida. I'm very thankful for their kindness, amazing patience, and hard work through this pandemic.”

    - Tao Pheeah E.

Let Us Be Your Voice

Free & Confidential Consultations

After an injury, things can seem scary and overwhelming. Our team is here to help ease your stress. Let us help fight for the justice you need and deserve.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.