Professional Integrity and Compassionate Service

What Should You Do Right After a Car Crash?

Whether you are headed out to run an errand, going to work, or dropping the kids off at school one expects other drivers on the road to be mindful, respectful of the laws set in place to protect us, be cognizant of traffic and drive carefully for everyone’s safety and wellbeing. However, the San Francisco Bay Area is not only very densely populated (San Fran is the 13th most populous metropolitan city in the United States), but, unfortunately, not everyone drives with safety in mind.

While driving in the Bay Area, one may encounter negligent or intoxicated drivers, reckless speeding, and many drivers with vehicles that are long overdue for multiple repairs (like broken turn signals, broken headlights, and bad breaks).

It is wise to be prepared, attentive, and most importantly, have a list of critical things to do following the initial impact of a collision (along with consulting with a motor vehicle accident lawyer) to ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to in the event of such an accident. Remember, distracted drivers, are everywhere.

The following list applies whether you are dealing with a slight fender bender or a more severe crash.

Firstly, always call the police and file an accident report. Police work will be a significant component later on in establishing fault and eventually resulting in compensation. Additionally, police gather details at the scene such as everyone’s information, get details from each driver on their point of view during the accident.

It’s competent to be vigilant in collecting these details yourself (if you are not in too much pain or too severely injured); however, keep in mind that an at-fault driver involved in a significant accident may not always be forthcoming with their information. As mentioned earlier, some drivers may not have all their paperwork up-to-date, like current insurance and registration or even a valid driver’s license. In these cases, the authority of a police officer may be more successful at attaining all paperwork and the truth from negligent or deceitful persons.

Collect Everyone’s Contact Information

It is essential to obtain the other driver’s contact information as well as the information on their insurance card. Again, if the other drivers are not abrasive, it’s a good idea to also collect their information for your records and those of your auto accident attorney.

Always Check for Witnesses

If there are any eye-witnesses present, be sure to obtain their contact information. When possible, go a step further and jot down any pertinent notes, such as their initial reaction and critical points of their recollection of the events leading up to and causing the accident.

A witness may not only confirm the events that took place but also aid in determining fault. Determining fault and identifying damages are both two major critical components towards receiving compensation for the damage to your vehicle as well as compensation for injuries because of the crash.

Reminder: Do Not Rely On Traffic Cameras Alone

While many busy intersections now have traffic cameras installed, they are not always operational. Some cameras may be non-functioning, and even operating cameras do not capture every angle and vantage point.

Additionally, there may not be available traffic camera footage to review in more secluded zones of the bay area or at more minor side street intersections.

Say “Yes” to Being Checked Out a Medical Professional

Always get checked out by a medical professional; go to the hospital. However, many times after an accident, drivers are anxious to get the facts straight and gather the information above; it is essential not to skip out or refuse medical attention. One may feel “okay” immediately after an accident, but hormones like adrenaline can often mask more severe injuries and pain.

Additionally, injuries such as whiplash, bruising to your ribs, a strained muscle, or even a herniated disk in your back may not be felt in the moments after the accident. However, suppose you notice an injury a week or two later. In that case, an attorney of the offending driver could attempt to argue that too much time has elapsed since the collision to be sure if the injury resulted from the impact.

Getting examined and receiving necessary imaging tests will help ensure that your injuries are documented from the very beginning.

With a city full of drivers often missing proper documentation, lapsing on car insurance, and recklessly speeding in unfit vehicles, it’s wise to consult a reputable San Francisco car accident attorney if you’ve been in any motor vehicle collision (minor or major) and or had any personal injury related to the crash.

Northern California Auto Accident Law Firm, representing victims of motor vehicle accidents and their families, with more than two and a half decades of litigation experience and a reputation for results.

A skilled auto accident lawyer with a proven track record

The Law Office of Daniel H. Rose is a San Francisco car accident law firm that handles claims involving injury or death. We provide highly effective legal representation with attentive hands-on service and a sincere commitment to victims of accidents and wrongful death.

According to the NHTSA, more than 23,000 people are killed, and approximately 2.8 million people are injured, in passenger car and light truck accidents every year in the U.S. Ten percent of car accident victims become disabled. Most of the time, these accidents are caused by someone’s negligence in running a red light or stop sign, failing to look in all proper directions before entering a street or making a turn, making an illegal or unsafe lane change, speeding, using a cell phone or texting, becoming fatigued or ingesting alcohol or drugs, failing to yield right of way, or otherwise acting carelessly.

When should you contact a car accident lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident, you should discuss your case with an experienced auto accident attorney immediately. If too much time goes by before an injury lawyer takes on your case, certain evidence in your case may become impossible to acquire, witnesses may become out of reach, and insurance companies may disadvantage you. Our law firm exclusively handles personal injury claims such as auto accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents and wrongful death claims.

Once we accept your automobile accident injury claim, we immediately begin working to obtain for you the maximum compensation allowed by law. We will:

• Conduct a thorough investigation
• Acquire all available evidence needed to prove and maximize your claim
• Work with auto accident reconstruction experts to prove that the other party is at fault
• Utilize medical experts to support your claim for the full extent of your injuries

The types of damages that can be recovered in an auto accident case

The Law Office Of Daniel H. Rose is a proficient and experienced car accident law firm with a long track record of obtaining for clients the compensation and accountability they deserve. An individual who negligently operates a motor vehicle may be liable for a wide variety of damages that an accident can cause, including but not limited to the following:

• Medical Costs: You may recover the medical expenses you incur in treating your injuries. These costs may include bills incurred for treatment by hospitals, physicians, emergency rooms, ambulances and paramedics, chiropractors, and physical therapists, and the cost of any needed medical devices. The cost of anticipated future medical costs may be recovered as well.
• Pain and Suffering, Disability, and Mental and Emotional Distress: You may recover damages for physical pain, disfigurement and discomfort, disability from engaging in work or recreational activities, any type of mental or emotional distress or trauma you suffer as a result of the accident, such as fear, anxiety, grief, shock, PTSD, loss of dignity, loss of enjoyment of life, and embarrassment or humiliation caused by your scars, disabilities, or other aspects of your injuries.  In some circumstances, you can recover damages for emotional distress and mental suffering even if you were not physically injured.
• Loss of Earnings and Earning Capacity: You can recover damages for the amount of money you would have earned between the time of your injury and the settlement or judgment.  You can recover damages for lost earning capacity if your ability to earn money has been impaired.
• Loss of Consortium: If you are married or in a domestic partnership, you may recover for the loss of the benefits of married or domestic partnered life to your spouse or partner caused by your injury.
• Property Damage: You can recover the value of your property that was damaged in the accident.
• Other Economic and Out of Pocket Costs: In addition to the economic costs associated with the items described above, you may recover damages for other economic harm and out of pocket expenses.

You need a strong advocate, experienced auto accident attorneys working to obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Call The Law Office Of Daniel H. Rose at 415-946-8900 for a free, no-obligation, confidential initial consultation and case evaluation by an experienced car accident personal injury lawyer.

Why you need a car accident attorney

Many car accident victims believe that injury claim resolution is something they can easily handle without hiring a qualified car accident lawyer, and they attempt to negotiate directly with the insurance company’s claims representatives. In any case involving serious injury, you should refrain from doing so. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and will therefore try to pay accident victims as little as possible. If a claimant is not represented by a qualified auto accident attorney, an insurance company will usually try to settle the claim to the claimant’s detriment.

When dealing with motor vehicle accident victims, insurance companies usually pretend at the outset that they will pay fair compensation, but then take advantage of the victim by taking a recorded statement from them regarding their injuries and the cause of the accident, have them examined by their physicians, and otherwise build their case against them, and end up offering an unreasonably low settlement amount.

Experienced, Reputable, Accomplished, Committed.

Learn more about Daniel Rose’s experience, reputation, commitment to clients, handling of cases, background and additional biographical information.

What can I expect when I call a San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer?

Learn more about what you can expect when you contact the Law Office of Daniel H. Rose regarding your case and receive a free evaluation.

Will hiring the Law Office of Daniel H. Rose cost me anything?

Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you pay nothing until after money is recovered for you.