What To Do When Injured in a Car Accident in San Diego

A car accident can result in extensive property damage and physical injury. Following a car crash in San Diego, California, you must protect your financial, physical, and mental health.

Your actions after an accident can also affect your legal right to compensation. In fact, a few key steps could vastly increase your chances of having the money to pay for your medical treatment and daily expenses while you recover.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident in San Diego, CA, contact an attorney from Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation by calling (619) 777-5555. 

How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in San Diego, CA

How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in San Diego, CA

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers helps accident victims in San Diego get fair compensation from the parties that injured them. Founded in 2010, our firm boasts an astonishing 99% success rate in settling or winning cases for our clients.

The San Diego car accident attorneys at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers have earned many notable awards and recognitions, including an AV-Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a San Diego Super Lawyers listing.

If you hire a car accident lawyer for assistance after sustaining injuries in a collision, we’ll: 

  • Investigate how the crash happened and who is liable for your damages
  • Handle your claim from start to finish, ensuring you understand your rights and options at all times
  • Calculate the full extent of your losses
  • Negotiate on your behalf as we work towards the most favorable outcome for you

Insurers often pay insurance claims only after you and your lawyer push them to play fairly. Contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss how Mission Personal Injury Lawyers can help you with your car accident injury claim.

How Common Are Car Accident Injuries in San Diego?

According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 5,578 people were injured or killed in San Diego car accidents in 2019. This might seem like a big number, but when you account for the city’s population of 1.4 million, San Diego is relatively safe compared to other California cities.

However, if you look at all of San Diego County, the danger increases. In 2019, nearly 20,000 people were injured or killed in car accidents across the county, according to OTS.

In other words, your risk of being injured or killed in a car accident is about 1.5 times higher in the county outside of San Diego than in the city.

Overview of What To Do When Injured in a Car Accident in San Diego, California

You might experience pain, discomfort, shock, or disorientation following a car accident. At the same time, the law imposes certain legal duties on you. You must take certain steps or face the prospect of a traffic citation or even criminal charges.

Here are some of the things you should be prepared to do after an accident.

Stop At the Accident Scene

Under California law, you must stop at the accident scene or the nearest accident pullout. If you fail to stop, prosecutors could charge you with a hit-and-run.

If you can stop immediately, do so. If the road doesn’t have a shoulder or emergency lane, find a safe place where you won’t obstruct the flow of traffic.

Call the Police

California law requires you to call the police if someone dies in a car accident, but you should always call the local police or the California Highway Patrol after an accident resulting in injuries.

Once on the scene, the police can:

  • Investigate the crash
  • Call for medical assistance
  • Help clear the accident site

Calling the police will also help you get an accident report and the other drivers’ information.

Exchange Information With the Other Drivers

Talk to the other drivers to get their names, contact information, and insurance details. You’ll need this information to file an insurance claim. Ask the investigating officers for assistance if you’re too injured or rattled to speak with the other drivers yourself.

Cooperate With the Police

Cooperate with the investigating officers, but stick to the facts. You want an accident report that supports your side of the story. This report can help you support your insurance claim and lead you to witnesses later on if you decide to litigate.

Seek Medical Treatment

Don’t ignore your injuries, no matter how minor. The symptoms you feel might signify a serious injury that hasn’t yet fully manifested.

For example, your back pain might result from a herniated disc, or your dizziness might be related to a concussion. If you don’t think you need an ambulance, make an appointment to visit your doctor or a local clinic as soon as possible.

Follow Your Doctor’s Advice

Your doctor will give you instructions regarding rest, therapy, and medication. Follow their recommendation to the letter. If you do anything to make your injuries worse, the at-fault driver may try to shift blame to you for your injury-related losses.

Consult a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer

To receive injury compensation, you must prove negligence on the part of the at-fault driver. Negligence is a complicated legal concept, which means you may require a lawyer’s assistance to file your insurance claim or a subsequent lawsuit.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our San Diego Car Wreck Lawyers for Help Recovering Compensation

If you do something you shouldn’t do after a car accident, a lawyer can help set things right. Likewise, if you forget to do something important, they can attempt to mitigate the legal consequences.

Contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your car accident and your right to pursue compensation in its aftermath.

Other Common San Diego Car Accident Claims We Handle

Our law firm handles all types of car accident cases involving:

San Diego Car Accident Resources