Car accidents in Long Beach can happen suddenly and without warning. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or something more serious, the moments after a crash can feel overwhelming. If you or someone you love was involved in a collision in California, it’s important to stay calm and take clear steps to protect yourself and those around you.
At The Beliz Law Firm, we help injury victims make sense of the aftermath. Since 2006, Michael A. Beliz has handled hundreds of accident and injury cases and recovered millions of dollars for clients.
We know what to do after a car accident in California. Our firm combines strong case preparation with personal, one-on-one attention, so you are not left trying to deal with the insurance company alone.
This post walks you through the steps to take after an accident, from the scene of the crash to the days and weeks that follow.
What Steps Should I Take After a Long Beach Car Accident?
Knowing what to do after a car accident in California starts with protecting yourself, seeking medical care, and preserving any evidence you may need later.
Call 911
Call 911 from the scene so police and emergency medical services can respond. Officers can document the crash, and paramedics can evaluate anyone who may need immediate medical care or ambulance transport.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after a crash, even if you do not know how badly you are hurt. Some injuries are obvious right away, but others become clearer hours or days later.
Medical care helps identify injuries early and creates records that connect your symptoms to the crash.
In Southern California, that care may start with paramedics at the scene, in an emergency room, at urgent care, with your primary care doctor, or with a specialist referred by your primary care doctor.
Your medical timeline should make sense. Long gaps in treatment can give the insurance company room to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.
Take Photographs of the Scene
Take photos and videos before moving vehicles, if you can do so safely. Your phone can capture details that may disappear within minutes.
Useful photos may include:
- Vehicle damage from multiple angles;
- The position of the vehicles;
- Skid marks, broken glass, debris, or fluid on the road;
- Traffic lights, stop signs, lane markings, and crosswalks;
- Nearby businesses, homes, bus stops, or parking lots;
- Weather, lighting, and road conditions;
- Visible injuries; and
- The other driver’s license plate, insurance card, and driver’s license.
Do not put yourself in danger to get photos. If you are on a freeway, near fast-moving traffic, or too injured to move safely, wait for help. Evidence matters, but your safety matters first.
Identify Video Surveillance in the Area
Look around for possible video sources before you leave the scene. A camera may have captured the crash, the seconds before impact, or the other driver leaving the area.
Possible video sources include:
- Gas stations,
- Restaurants,
- Retail stores,
- Apartment buildings,
- Parking garages,
- Doorbell cameras,
- Dashcams,
- Rideshare vehicles,
- Delivery trucks, and
- Traffic or security cameras.
This step is especially important in Long Beach and surrounding areas where crashes often happen near businesses, intersections, ports, schools, apartment complexes, and commercial corridors. Video footage is often overwritten quickly.
A lawyer can send preservation letters and contact possible camera owners before the footage disappears.
Report the Accident
You may need to report the crash after leaving the scene. In California, a driver must file a report with the DMV within 10 days if the accident caused:
- An injury,
- Death, or
- More than $1,000 in property damage.
If the crash caused injury or death, California law also requires a written report to law enforcement within 24 hours. This may be the local police department or the California Highway Patrol, depending on which agency responded to the crash.
A lawyer can help you understand which reporting rules apply and make sure you do not miss important deadlines.
Speak with a Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach
Speak with a lawyer before you accept a settlement, give a detailed recorded statement, or assume the insurance company’s version of fault is correct.
A car accident attorney in Long Beach can help you understand California law, identify insurance coverage, preserve evidence, and track legal deadlines, such as the two-year deadline to file a claim.
A lawyer can also help with the practical problems that start after a crash: getting the police report, handling insurance calls, documenting lost income, collecting medical records, and pushing back when the adjuster tries to blame you for injuries you did not cause.
What Should I Not Do After an Accident in Long Beach?
After an accident, what you avoid can be just as important as what you do. A few simple mistakes can make it easier for the insurance company to question your claim. We recommend that you do not:
- Admit fault or apologize. You can check on others and cooperate with the police without accepting blame. A determination of fault should only occur after the evidence is reviewed.
- Post about the crash on social media. Insurance companies can take photos, comments, check-ins, and updates out of context and use your posts to argue that your injuries are not serious.
- Give the insurance company a recorded statement too soon. The adjuster may ask questions designed to limit your claim. Speak with a car accident lawyer before giving detailed statements about fault, injuries, or treatment.
Taking care with what you say and do after a crash can help protect your claim while you focus on getting medical care and recovering.
Let The Beliz Law Firm Help You Move Forward After a California Car Accident
The steps you take after a crash can affect your health, your evidence, and your ability to bring a claim.
At The Beliz Law Firm, we help injured people deal with the confusion that follows a serious crash. When you work with a car accident attorney in Long Beach, you have someone who can handle the insurance company, protect important deadlines, and help you understand the value of your claim.
You do not have to deal with the aftermath alone. Contact The Beliz Law Firm today for a free case review.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:
“Accidents and Accident Reports,” California Vehicle Code § 20008.