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No one is ever prepared to be involved in an automobile accident. However, with the number of vehicles that travel the highways and byways in California, your chances of being involved in some type of automobile accident while traveling in California is fairly good. In order to protect yourself, you should know what to do in the event that you are involved in an auto accident.

Immediately stop and assess the situation and call for assistance if necessary. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident or leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in California. Even if the damage is only minor, you must report the accident to the police or to the California Highway Patrol. If you hit a parked vehicle, you must try to locate the owner or leave a note with your name, address and contact information so that the owner of the vehicle can contact you to report the accident. If you or someone else is seriously injured or needs medical attention, call for assistance immediately and follow any instructions provided by the dispatcher until help arrives.

California law requires that you maintain an acceptable form of financial responsibility to pay for damages or costs related to an automobile accident. You will be required to show proof of this financial responsibility to others involved in the accident and any police officer that responds to the scene of the accident. Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility will result in a fine of up to
$500. The most common way to satisfy your financial responsibility is through automobile insurance. California insurance requirements state that you must have a minimum of $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person and $5,000 for property damage. Other acceptable forms of financial responsibility under California automobile law includes a $35,000 cash deposit with the CA DMV or a $35,000 surety bond with a licensed surety company. In addition to proof of your financial responsibility, you must also show your driver’s license and automobile registration card.

California auto accident law requires that any accidents that result in injury, death or property damage of $750 or more must be reported to the CA DMV within 10 days from the date of the accident. Failure to report an accident could result in the suspension of your driver’s license. You, your legal representative or your insurance agent must complete a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California Form (a/k/a an SR 1). The report contains details of the accident such as the place and time of the accident, information about the drivers, insurance information and an explanation of any injuries and property damage that resulted from the accident.

Lastly, you must make sure that your vehicle is removed from the highway, street or road. If the vehicle is not drivable, it is your responsibility to contact a towing service to remove the vehicle as soon as possible to clear the road.

Auto accident law in California can be complicated. In order to protect yourself, you should contact a California auto accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident to protect your rights. California auto accident attorneys help protect you in the event you are involved in an automobile accident.