Being in a car accident can be terrifying, overwhelming, and potentially devastating, depending on the details of the accident in question. These situations can be hard to come back from without enduring some serious healing and soul-searching. Your injuries can act as a permanent reminder of your traumatic event. With the aid of a car accident lawyer, you can pursue legal action, but you should also know what to do after a car accident in Riverside.

What To Do After A Car Accident in Riverside?

Car Accidents in Riverside

Car accidents are often unpredictable, fickle, and hard to prevent. They can be caused by many different factors, including distracted drivers, drunk drivers, mechanical failure, bad weather, and poor road conditions. Sometimes, it truly is an accident. In others, it is somebody’s clear fault. In those instances, it may be a good idea to pursue legal action against that person as a way to seek some semblance of closure by holding the right people accountable for their actions.

Riverside is one of the most populous cities in the Inland Empire area, which makes it one of the most populated in the entire state. It has three major freeways running through it, which makes it somewhat susceptible to car accidents. After all, there are often hundreds of vehicles on a freeway at any given time of day, which means the potential for accidents is higher than usual.

In 2021, the Oficina de Seguridad Vial de California indicated that there have been a substantial amount of car accident fatalities on the roads in Riverside, including highway accidents. Enforcement of traffic laws in Riverside is largely done by the California Highway Patrol, which will likely respond to any car accident you might be involved in around the Riverside area.

If you ultimately decide to pursue legal action against the negligent party that caused your accident, it is vitally important to your case’s survival that you pay close attention to California’s prescripción para casos de lesiones personales, como reclamaciones por accidentes de coche. En la mayoría de los casos, el Estado le da dos años de plazo:

Qué hacer después de un accidente de coche en Riverside

The measures you take in the direct aftermath of a car accident are going to significantly impact the strength of your claim when the time comes to file it. When you bring your case to your car accident lawyer, you will likely be bringing them all the evidence you have gathered thus far, much of which came from the accident scene. Being able to make informed decisions can make a real difference in your case. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Remain Calm: It may not be easy to remain calm after being in a car accident. Still, it is important that you do what you can to calm down and try your hardest not to panic. All panicking will do is harm your case and keep you from noticing everything that can support your claim. Gather yourself, take some deep breaths, and focus.
  • Quédate en la escena: While you may want to flee the scene and try to pretend like this never happened, all that would do is make things so much worse for you. Under California state law, you need to remain at the crash site and report the accident to the authorities, particularly if the incident results in injuries, death, or significant damage.
  • Look for Injuries: If the accident was particularly bad, you may be injured and unaware of it due to shock. Be sure to check your body for any obvious injuries, and do the same for any passengers. Look out for red areas, wet areas, bruising, sprains, protrusions, and anything that might be broken. If you are in pain but don’t seem to have any injuries, make sure you say something to the EMTs when they arrive.
  • Llama al 911: You should call 911 as soon as you can. You will want police officers to secure the scene of the accident and EMTs to check the survivors for any injuries.
  • Mueve tu coche: If you are physically able to do so, you may want to consider moving your car out of the road and onto the shoulder. Otherwise, you might accidentally cause another accident.
  • Document the Accident Scene: Once the police tell you it’s okay, you can start documenting evidence at the accident scene for your own records. Make sure you take a lot of photos of your injuries, the vehicle damage, and the road conditions. Get the contact information of any witnesses who are willing to help you.
  • Póngase en contacto con un abogado: When you are ready to make a claim for compensation, you should bring what you have to a car accident lawyer to begin pursuing compensation for your losses.

Preguntas frecuentes

What Is the Golden Hour of Car Accidents?

Generally, the golden hour of car accidents is the first hour after a traumatic injury has happened. In that first hour, the chances of survival and recovery are at their highest, so long as the injured people obtain fast medical care. The sooner you receive care, the higher the chance of recovery.

What Should You Never Do If You Are Involved in an Accident?

One important thing you should never do if you are involved in an accident is flee the scene of the incident. It is illegal to leave the site of an accident without first reporting that incident and speaking with the police. The last thing you want is to have legal action brought against you.

What Happens If I’m at Fault in a Car Accident in California?

If you are found to be at fault in a car accident in California, that will mean that you are going to be held liable for reimbursing the other driver for any damages they have sustained as a result of the accident. This includes medical bills, property damage, emotional distress, and lost wages.

How Much Can I Expect From a Car Accident Settlement in California?

It is nearly impossible to determine beforehand how much you can expect from a car accident settlement in California. Every car accident case is different, with each one having its own unique details that will influence the settlement. The severity of your injuries and the stance of the insurance company are just some of those factors.

Póngase en contacto con nosotros

At Easton & Easton, we understand the kind of legal assistance you need to make sure you are properly compensated. Póngase en contacto con nosotros to schedule a consultation soon.