Start with safety and emergency needs
In the first minutes after an accident, protect people before collecting evidence. Seek emergency assistance when needed and follow responder instructions. Stay out of traffic and other hazards. Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses immediate post-accident steps in this video. The details depend on the incident; no checklist should cause you to delay necessary medical care or ignore an official instruction.
Exchange and record essential information
When safe and appropriate, obtain the names, contact details, vehicle information and insurance details of the people involved. Keep witness contacts and any incident or report number. Record the location and approximate time. For a fall or another property incident, identify the business or property involved and how the incident was reported. Keep your account factual rather than arguing about legal responsibility at the scene.
Preserve what can disappear
Photographs may show vehicle positions, damage, traffic controls, lighting or a property hazard. Take them only from a safe place. Save dashcam footage and note nearby cameras. Keep damaged personal items and original digital files. A useful record describes the actual condition and surrounding area; staged photographs or edited messages can create avoidable problems.
Track treatment and communications
Keep medical instructions, bills and appointment information together. Start a simple log of calls and correspondence, including who contacted you and what they requested. Tell healthcare providers the truth about symptoms and prior conditions. If an insurer asks for a recorded statement, medical authorization or release, understand the request and your particular obligations before responding.
Move from a checklist to individual advice
Promptly review deadlines and insurance reporting requirements with qualified counsel. A checklist cannot identify every public-entity deadline, coverage issue or responsible party. Do not assume negotiations preserve your right to sue. Our firm offers a free consultation about California injury claims and can discuss what information will help evaluate your next steps.
General information supplementing the video, not a transcript or advice for a particular case. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on the facts.
Get Help Now
The Law offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates has almost 3 decades of experience handling personal injury cases all over the state of California. We have handled thousands of cases and obtained millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for our clients. Call now for a no pressure free consultation with an actual attorney. Call 800-816-1529 extension 1, click the chat button on the left, or click here to submit your case.
About Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez
