1. Safety first
If anyone is hurt, call 911. If the cars can move and it is safe, get them out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. If not, stay in a safe place away from the road.
2. Exchange information
Get these from the other driver, and take a photo of each document:
- Full name and phone number
- Driver's license
- Insurance company and policy number
- License plate, make, model and color of the car
3. Take photos
- Both cars from all four sides, plus close-ups of the damage
- The scene: lanes, traffic signs, skid marks
- Witnesses' names and phone numbers, if anyone stopped
4. The police report
For an accident with injuries, call the police. In California you also have to report an accident to the DMV (form SR-1) within 10 days if anyone was injured or the damage is over $1,000. Ask the officer for the report number.
5. Don't argue about fault
Stay polite and stick to the facts. Fault is decided by the insurers from the evidence, so you don't need to settle it at the scene.
6. Call us before the tow truck
If the car can't be driven, call us. For repair clients we tow it free to our shop in Downtown LA, then open the claim and talk to the adjuster for you. You choose the shop, not the insurer.
General information, not legal advice. Every claim and policy is different.