On average, there are about 164 accidents in the Los Angeles county. If you ever find yourself in the unlucky position of the 164 one day, it is crucial that you collect specific information to protect yourself from any possible legal action in the future. Before we continue, your safety and well-being are above all. If you find it difficult to move or if you find yourself in unbearable amount of pain, please call 911 and request an ambulance.

So, you just got into an auto accident—now what?

One Take a deep breath, things like this happen. Make sure you are okay before proceeding. Do not leave the scene. You must stop driving. If you believe you are interfering with traffic you can then move your car to the side of the road and wait for further assistance.

Two Call the police. Sometimes it is best to call the police even if there has not been a serious accident. A police report can help you with your claim for your damaged vehicle, and it helps with any “he said, she said” accusations that may possibly arise in the future. If a police officer shows up to the scene of the accident, be sure to let him/her know exactly what happened. Do not make any speculations.

Due to the adrenaline rush, it takes a few hours for the body aches and pains to kick in after an accident. Although you may not be feeling any pain now, there is a likeability that you will experience pain within a few hours.

Three It is crucial that you take photos of not only the cars, but also, the scene of the accident. If you have any visual injuries, be sure to photograph them as well. Do not interfere with an ongoing police investigation, but after, take a minute to take some pictures of your surrounds as well as all damaged areas.

Four Make sure to acquire contact information and insurance information of all parties involved. Most of the time, a police officer will collect that information, but if an officer does not show up on the scene, make sure you do it yourself. Sometimes, a person may dodge your calls, so be sure to collect insurance details before your departure.

Five Report the accident. You want to report the accident with your insurance company as soon as possible. If you decide to hire an attorney, your attorney’s office will file the claim for you. It is recommended that you do not make any statements without your attorney present. You should also be aware that the opposing party’s insurance company or attorney may reach out to you as well.

Six Seek Medical Attention. Even if the impact was slight, it can still cause serious damage to your spinal cord. We ask that all members involved in a collision seeks medical attention. Especially if you hit your head because of the impact. Any medical issues that are left untreated can cause serious issues in the future if left untreated. Your attorney should have a list of doctors ready to treat if you do not already have one.

Seven Keep a record. Make sure you keep a file of all receipts, medical records and bills you may have acquired due to the accident. Any expense that has been resulted due to the accident can possibly be covered. Also, keep a file of your claim number and claim adjuster you work with, along with any communication that has been done between the respective party.

Consulting with your attorney is the best way you can protect yourself when it comes to an auto accident. Fortunately, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, there will not be any legal fees unless the attorney recovers compensation from your accident.