Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed and specific to Los Angeles, California law — so you don't miss what matters.
Los Angeles sees more than 54,000 reported injury crashes per year according to SWITRS data. If you've just been in a collision on the 405, the 110, surface streets in the Valley, or anywhere in LA County, the actions you take in the first 24–72 hours directly determine what your injury claim is worth — and whether you can bring one at all.
After a car accident in Los Angeles, take these steps immediately:
1. Call 911 — always. Even for minor injuries, a police report is essential for California insurance claims.
2. Do not leave the scene — California law (Veh. Code § 20001) requires you to remain if there are injuries.
3. Photograph everything — vehicles, license plates, positions, road conditions, your injuries.
4. Exchange information — name, license, insurance, vehicle registration from every driver involved.
5. Seek medical care — go to an ER or urgent care that day, even if you feel fine. Many whiplash and TBI symptoms appear within 24–72 hours.
6. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer — you are not required to, and anything you say can be used to reduce your payout.
7. Contact a personal injury attorney — most offer free same-day consultations. California's 2-year statute of limitations (CCP § 335.1) starts from the accident date.
Quick Answer — Source Index4§ 3 LAW◎ 1 GOVclaim-level sources
California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 — 2-Year Personal Injury SOLCalifornia Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1✓ Official (source-only)
California Vehicle Code § 20001 — Duty to Remain at Scene of Injury AccidentCalifornia Vehicle Code § 20001✓ Official (source-only)
California Vehicle Code § 20008 — Duty to Report Injury AccidentsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 20008✓ Official (source-only)
SWITRS — California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records SystemSWITRS✓ Official (source-only)
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What You're Experiencing
You've just been in a car accident in Los Angeles and you're not sure what to do next. You may be shaken up, dealing with vehicle damage, unsure whether you need a lawyer, and uncertain how the insurance process works.
What This Likely Means
- If the other driver is being cooperative and offering cash at the scene → do not accept; always go through insurance and get a police report regardless
- If the other driver's insurer has already contacted you → do not give a recorded statement without an attorney present; refer them to your attorney
- If you didn't go to the ER at the scene → go to urgent care today; same-day treatment documentation is critical to your claim
- If you're not sure if the accident was your fault → California is a comparative fault state; even partial fault doesn't bar recovery; consult an attorney before making any admissions
- If the other driver doesn't have insurance → file under your own UM coverage and consult an attorney about all available recovery options
Your Options
You Can Do This
- •Call 911 and wait for a police report — do not leave the scene for any reason
- •Photograph all vehicles, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, and your own visible injuries
- •Exchange insurance information, driver's license numbers, and vehicle registration with every driver involved
- •Go to an ER or urgent care the same day — even if you feel fine
Attorney Handles
- •Handle all communications with the at-fault driver's insurer — no recorded statements, no negotiation without representation
- •Issue evidence preservation letters to prevent surveillance footage and vehicle EDR data from being destroyed
- •Coordinate your medical care to ensure documentation supports a clear causal chain between the accident and your injuries
- •Negotiate the full settlement — medical bills, lost wages, future care costs, and pain and suffering
Avoid Doing This
- •Do not post anything about the accident on social media
- •Do not accept any settlement offer without attorney review
- •Do not sign any release before your injuries are fully known
- •Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer
What This Typically Costs
Police report: free to file; $10–$25 for a copy. ER visit: $1,000–$5,000+ (covered by health insurance or medical lien if no insurance). Attorney consultation: free at virtually all LA personal injury firms. Attorney fee if you win: 33% pre-suit, up to 40% in litigation — paid from your settlement, nothing upfront.
When to Call a Professional
Contact an attorney immediately if any of these apply:
- 1
You have visible injuries, loss of consciousness, or severe pain at the scene — call 911 immediately and request EMS
- 2
The other driver flees — note the vehicle description, direction, and call 911; this is a hit-and-run (CA Veh. Code § 20001)
- 3
The at-fault driver's insurer contacts you within 24 hours offering a quick cash settlement — do not accept; contact an attorney first
- 4
You develop neck pain, headaches, or cognitive symptoms in the days after the accident — seek medical care immediately; these are classic delayed-onset whiplash and concussion symptoms
- 5
The police report contains factual errors — dispute them in writing with the reporting agency within 30 days
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Get Free Case Review →Key Numbers
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute of limitations — personal injury | 2 years from accident date | California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 |
| Hit-and-run reporting window (injury accident) | 24 hours — required by CA Veh. Code § 20008 | California Vehicle Code § 20008 |
| ER / urgent care visit timing | Same day or within 24 hours — critical for claim documentation | Recommended by California MVA attorneys |
| California minimum liability insurance | $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident | California Insurance Code § 11580.1b |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1
Mistake #1: Not calling 911 or not getting a police report.
Without a police report, the other driver can later dispute what happened. Insurers also require accident reports for all but the smallest claims. Always call 911 — even when the other driver says 'let's just exchange info.'
- 2
Mistake #2: Delaying medical care.
Insurers use gaps in treatment as evidence that you were not seriously injured. If you show up in an ER three days after the crash, the adjuster will argue your injuries were caused by something else. Go the same day.
- 3
Mistake #3: Posting about the accident on social media.
Any photos, check-ins, or statements you post — even something as innocent as 'feeling sore but okay' — can be used to undermine your injury claim. Say nothing online about the accident or your injuries.
- 4
Mistake #4: Accepting the first settlement offer.
Insurers send quick checks to close claims before the full extent of injuries is known. Once you sign a release, you waive all future claims. Do not accept any settlement until treatment is complete and an attorney has reviewed the offer.
- 5
Mistake #5: Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer.
You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. These calls are designed to get you to minimize your injuries or admit partial fault. Politely decline and direct them to your attorney.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call the police after a minor fender-bender in LA?▼
Yes. California law requires you to report any accident involving injury or death (Veh. Code § 20001). Even for property-damage-only accidents, a police report protects you if the other driver later disputes fault or claims injuries. LA traffic collisions can be reported to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) if on a state highway.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?▼
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. For property damage only, the limit is three years. If the at-fault driver was a government employee or a government vehicle was involved, special notice requirements apply — you may have as little as 6 months to file a government tort claim.
What if I didn't feel hurt at the scene — can I still make a claim later?▼
Yes, as long as you file within the 2-year statute of limitations. However, the longer you wait to seek medical care, the harder it is to prove your injuries were caused by the accident. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and concussions often don't produce full symptoms for 24–72 hours. Go to urgent care the same day as a precaution — even if you're not sure you're hurt.
Should I accept the other driver's cash offer at the scene?▼
No. Accepting cash at the scene closes your claim — and you have no way of knowing the true cost of your injuries until you've been examined. You also cannot guarantee the other driver won't later claim you were at fault. Always go through insurance and get a police report.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?▼
File a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you have it. California insurers are required to offer UM/UIM coverage — check your declarations page. If you don't have UM coverage, your options are limited to suing the driver personally, which may not be recoverable. An attorney can advise you on all available recovery sources.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney in Los Angeles?▼
Nothing upfront. Los Angeles personal injury attorneys work on contingency — they receive a percentage (typically 33% pre-suit, up to 40% if litigation is required) only if you win. California Business and Professions Code § 6147 requires contingency fee agreements to be in writing. If you don't recover, you owe nothing.
Who pays for my medical bills after a car accident in Los Angeles?▼
There are three potential sources: your health insurance (pay now, may be subject to a lien from your eventual settlement), medical payment (MedPay) coverage on your own auto policy if you have it (typically $1,000–$5,000), or a medical lien from a provider who agrees to treat you and wait for payment from your settlement. An attorney can help coordinate these sources so your treatment continues without out-of-pocket costs.
Do I have to report my car accident to the California DMV?▼
Yes, if the accident caused injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. California Vehicle Code § 16000 requires both drivers to file a SR-1 (Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California) with the DMV within 10 days. Failure to report can result in license suspension. The police report does not substitute for the SR-1 — you must file separately.
Sources & Citations
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