Personal Injury

IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, CALL ME IMMEDIATELY          

Phone: 714-871-6655

CORRECT AFTER-ACCIDENT PROCEDURE WILL HELP YOU GET A FAIR SETTLEMENT
DON’TS
1. DON’T DISCUSS THE FACTS of the accident, who was at fault and why, or your injuries or lack of them, with the other driver or anyone. But if you are wrongly accused of fault, deny it and place the blame where it should be.

2. DON’T DENY INJURY AT THE SCENE even if you seem alright. You may be in shock and your injuries may only become painful and apparent later.
DO’S

1. STOP AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF: Give your name, address, phone number, driver’s license, registration card, and insurance information to the other driver and demand the same.

  

2. FIRST AID: Render reasonable aid to anyone who seems injured and call an ambulance.
3. POLICE: Immediately phone the highway patrol or local police. When the police arrive, tell them the facts of the accident, who was at fault and why, and about your injuries. Make sure the police understand you. If you speak English only as a 2nd language, demand an interpreter. Also, demand that the police prepare a written report. Without one, you may have trouble with your own insurance company and in getting a fair settlement of your case.
4. INFORMATION: Get as much as you can at the scene of the accident; use the HANDY FORM provided here.
5. WITNESSES: Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses at the scene of the accident even if they consider you at fault.
6. MEDICAL CARE AND CHECKUP: Call a doctor immediately in all cases even if you don’t seem injured (you may be in shock.)

7. ATTORNEY: Call me as soon as possible. Remember that under California law, your settlement will be in proportion to your own fault and the extent of your injuries and damages.
8. DEALINGS WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY: Ask your attorney to help you. Do not give a statement.
9. DEALINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES : Make all necessary reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles (the SR-1 report must be made within 15 days of the accident if the property damages is above $500 or injury results.)
10. BOARD OF CERTIFIED MEDICAL SPECIALISTS: Go to or ask your attorney to refer you to a top quality medical specialist, i. e., those who are board certified, to help you recover from the accident.
11. STATE DISABILITY: Don’t be afraid to take time off work to recover from your injuries if your doctor so advises. Ask your doctor to give you a disability note for your employer and ask your doctor to renew it if necessary. You must keep your own employer posted weekly about your progress. Ask your doctor and attorney to help you apply for State Disability to cover your loss of earnings while you recover.