A Guide for Car Accident Victims

The State Bar of California’s article What Should I Do If I Have An Auto Accident offers an enlightening factual and legal information on what to do when one figured in a car accident.

Sequentially, before one could end up a car accident victim, or the guilty party, the first question to ask when the accident happened is – do I have to stop?

The answer, of course, is yes! The article says that under the California law, the persons involved must stop. This rule applies both ways. Whether you are the innocent or the guilty party, you must stop!

What if both didn’t stop? Is there a legal consequence? The answer again is yes! Both – the innocent and the guilty – will be charged with hit and run. And I assure you, the consequences will be ugly.

The article suggests that you exchange information with the other driver. Among others, you should remember to get the following information:

• name and driver’s license numbers
• vehicle’s plate number
• address and contact numbers
• name and address of insurance company
• insurance policy number
• other evidence of financial responsibility, i.e. bond posted with the Department of Motor Vehicles

Accidents often result to injury. And someone, someway, manage to be a car accident victim. In this regard, you are required to give reasonable assistance to the injured. Reasonable means doing anything humanly possible. If the victim needs immediate medical attention, you may want to take him to the hospital.

The material also suggests that you find a way to warn other motorists that an accident has just occurred. You can do this by turning on your hazard lights, installing EWD or just lift the hood.

Lastly, there is a reason why emergency numbers are kept short. Call 911. Narrate what happened, fast. You may even exaggerate so that help may come right away. There is no harm in lying a little to prevent more harm. For more immediate help, they say you try to flag down a passing car for any chance of a good Samaritan.