As a San Bernardino car accident attorney, Greg Kirakosian of Kirakosian Law has a tremendous amount of experience when it comes to victims of car accidents. If you’ve been in an automobile accident in San Bernardino, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Don’t leave the scene of the accident.
- If you’re able, exchange insurance information with the other driver.
- Pull out your phone and photograph the accident scene (more info on this below)
- Even if you think you are not injured, consider getting medical attention (this is super important, click the link and read under seek medical attention)
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your case.
Why shouldn’t I leave the scene of an accident if I’ve been in a car accident in San Bernardino?
Firstly, after a car accident, exchanging information is a crucial step. This is only surpassed by the need for medical attention. That aside, exchanging information will help the process to be pretty straightforward.
Secondly, the photographs and scene info from witnesses or pictures of the scene itself, as mentioned below, are just as important. To do any of this, you have to be on the scene. Afterward, people will be gone, the accident scene will be altered and the cars may be moved.
Understanding what happened to some degree of accuracy relies on staying on the scene. It goes without mention that you should never leave the scene of an accident you are involved in without stopping and following this process. You may miss out on critical information regarding your accident at best and expose yourself to a hit and run charge at worst.
San Bernardino car accident attorneys will always recommend to drivers to stay on the scene and follow these steps however possible.
What information does San Bernardino county require of me if I’m involved in a car accident?
The requirements for exchanging information after an accident in San Bernardino are the same as everywhere else in California. You want to provide the other driver with:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your registration number of the vehicle you were driving
- And the name and address of your car insurance company
If you fail to exchange this information with the other driver, you can be fined. The amount of the fine will depend on whether or not anyone was injured as a result of the accident.
If you’re involved in an accident and there’s no damage to either vehicle and no one was injured, you’re not required to exchange information or notify the police. If there’s only property damage, you’re still required to exchange information with the other driver if you feel the damage amount surpasses $1,000.
You must also give them a reasonable opportunity to inspect your vehicle for damage. If anyone was injured in the accident, you must notify the police.
Photograph tips from a San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer
So you have your phone’s camera ready, what do you need to photograph after a car accident if you are in San Bernardino?
- The whole accident scene if possible. This means all of the cars involved and the positioning of those vehicles. It can be difficult to gauge the severity of an accident without seeing all the cars involved.
- Damage to all vehicles involved as well as any property damage. This may be a street sign, mailbox, fire hydrant, etc. that was hit during the accident.
- Injuries of all parties involved. If you or anyone else has visible injuries, make sure to document those with photographs.
- The other driver’s insurance information as well as their license and registration. If they are unwilling to give you this information, make sure to get a picture of their license plate.
- Your own insurance information as well as your license and registration.
- Any skid marks on the road that may help to explain how the accident happened.
- The weather and road conditions. If it was raining, snowing, etc., make sure to take pictures of that.
- The time and date the accident occurred. This may be on your phone or you can write it down and take a picture of that.
This isn’t a definitive list as many factors may cause different needs but it’s definitely a good starting point to get an idea of what you may need to photograph. A good San Bernardino car accident attorney will ask the right questions and, often, the photographs provide the answer.
Should I seek medical attention after a car accident?
If you’re injured, yes. If you aren’t, consider it at the very least. San Bernardino car accident statistics show that many people involved in car accidents don’t seek medical attention, assuming they aren’t injured.
This can be a mistake for several reasons. First, some injuries aren’t necessarily visible or even felt after a car accident. Anything from adrenaline to stress to injuries that simply take time to manifest are serious factors to keep in mind. Second, if you feel you weren’t at fault and that your insurer, as a business practice, won’t prioritize your health, then most definitely consider it. A San Bernardino car accident lawyer will prioritize looking at your health for the reason mentioned above. And often, compensation through an insurer doesn’t accurately take this point into account.
Where can I find a great car accident lawyer in San Bernardino?
Kirakosian Law is proud to have a team of exceptional car accident lawyers and we absolutely can help you in San Bernardino. We have a proven track record of success and are passionate about fighting for the rights of our clients. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
