What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Sacramento

Get to Safety and Call 911

Your first priority is safety. If you can do so without further risk, move vehicles out of traffic and turn on hazard lights. Then call 911. Reporting the crash brings medical help if anyone is hurt and creates an official record through the responding officers.

A police report documents the scene while details are fresh and can be valuable later if the other driver or their insurer disputes what happened. Even for what seems like a minor collision, having law enforcement respond is worthwhile.

Get Medical Care Even If You Feel Fine

After a crash, adrenaline can mask pain. Injuries such as whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue damage often do not produce symptoms until hours or days later. Feeling okay at the scene does not mean you are uninjured.

See a doctor promptly, even if you decline the ambulance. A timely medical evaluation protects your health and creates a record linking any injuries to the crash. Gaps in treatment are one of the first things insurers use to argue you were not really hurt, so do not wait.

Document the Scene

If you are physically able, gather evidence before vehicles are moved and memories fade. Photos and notes taken in the moment are difficult for anyone to dispute later.

• Photograph all vehicles, damage, license plates, and their positions
• Capture the broader scene: road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and weather
• Note the date, time, and exact location
• Get names and contact information for any witnesses
• Photograph visible injuries

This documentation can make the difference between a clear claim and a he-said, she-said dispute.

Exchange Information, But Do Not Admit Fault

Exchange names, contact details, driver's license numbers, license plates, and insurance information with the other driver. Stay calm and civil, but keep conversation factual.

Do not apologize or say anything that sounds like accepting blame, even casually. Fault can be complicated, and a polite "I'm sorry" can be twisted into an admission. Because California uses pure comparative negligence, any percentage of fault assigned to you reduces your recovery, so let the investigation determine responsibility.

Beware the Other Insurer's Call

The at-fault driver's insurance company may contact you quickly, sometimes within a day. They may sound helpful and ask for a recorded statement or a quick settlement. Be cautious.

In California you are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer, and doing so before legal advice can hurt your claim. Early offers are often low and arrive before your injuries are fully known. It is wise to speak with an attorney before giving any statement or signing anything.

Know Your California Deadlines

California sets firm deadlines for injury claims. The general statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the crash under CCP section 335.1. Miss it, and you can lose the right to recover entirely.

If a government entity may be responsible, for example a city vehicle or a dangerous road condition, the deadline is far shorter. A claim against a public entity generally must be filed within six months under Gov. Code section 911.2. Because these timelines move quickly, it is best to consult an attorney early.

Free Consultation With DePaoli Law Team

If you were injured in a Sacramento-area crash, DePaoli Law Team can review your case at no cost. Attorney Kelsey DePaoli (California State Bar #283310) is trial-proven, and the firm has recovered more than $3.85 million in results, though prior results never guarantee a particular outcome.

Call (916) 962-2896 or visit 177 Parkshore Dr, Folsom, CA 95630. We serve the Sacramento metro and work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.