If a collision occurs on a California highway, the immediate priority is always to assess the well-being of all those involved. If it is possible to move the vehicles (and people) to safety, it should be done. If not, it is important to try to secure the scene and keep everyone as safe as possible until help arrives. In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, many other issues are relevant, including those pertaining to insurance claims.
It is always best to report a collision to one’s insurance agency as soon as possible. There are several key issues to keep in mind as one begins to navigate the insurance process after a crash. It is also a good idea to know where to seek legal support, if a need arises.
Keep these insurance issues in mind
The most important insurance-related issue in the immediate aftermath of a collision is to get the other driver’s contact and vehicle information, as well as the contact info for his or her auto insurance company. It is best to try to avoid confrontation and to document any problems that occur. Once the needed information has been obtained, timing is of the essence, as there are state laws regarding how much time may pass between the date a collision occurred and the filing of an insurance claim or personal injury claim, if the incident leads to litigation.
To determine whose insurance will compensate those who have suffered injuries, it is important to note whether any of the drivers involved was at fault. If driver negligence was a causal factor, then those who have sustained damages have the right to seek financial recovery for losses by filing a personal injury claim in a civil court. An experienced California personal injury law attorney can provide guidance and support throughout the insurance claims or civil litigation processes.