What To Do After A Car Accident In San Diego (2026)

Check for Injuries, Get to Safety and Call 911

After the crash, check yourself and others for injuries. Then get to the side of the road, a median or anywhere else where you’ll be relatively safe. Call 911 to request police and emergency medical services.

As you wait for the police to arrive, make sure to follow these guidelines:

• Activate your hazard lights if you need to slow down and pull over.
• Move to the shoulder or accident pull-out so that you do not obstruct traffic.
• If your vehicle is disabled, stay inside it unless you can clearly see that there is no traffic on the road.
• Stand away from the road until the police are on the scene.
• Leave disabled vehicles where they stopped.

Keep in mind that many accidents occur when inattentive drivers hit disabled vehicles or accident victims. You can reduce the risk of being a pedestrian hit by car drivers by moving to a safe location away from active traffic lanes.

Exchange Information and Collect Witness Contact Info

Exchange contact and insurance information with other involved drivers. If there were any witnesses, ask if they would be comfortable giving you their contact information.

Avoid Admitting Fault

It’s important to avoid admitting fault at the accident scene. Specifically, don’t admit that you caused or contributed to the cause of the crash to the police, the other drivers or insurance representatives.

Additionally, never make any statements that could be misinterpreted as an admission of fault. For example, you shouldn’t apologize for the collision, as this could be seen as taking the blame for the crash. Also, avoid signing anything other than the accident report or claim forms from your own insurer.

Instead, focus on the facts and allow the lawyers and insurers to sort out liability. For example, tell the police what you did and saw without opining about who was right or wrong.

What happens after a car accident that is your fault is very different from what occurs after a crash that is not your fault. You may not be able to pursue compensation for your injuries if you caused the collision, for instance.

Document the Scene

If possible, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Include both wide-angle shots of the scene and close-ups of vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and anything else that may be relevant.

When police arrive, they should fill out an accident report. This likely will become a key piece of evidence in your case, so ask the officer for the report number.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you’re wondering what to do after a car accident in San Diego, this is one of the most important steps. EMS will transport you to the hospital if your injuries are severe. However, even if your injuries are minor (or you don’t think you’re hurt at all), you should still visit an urgent care center or see your doctor as soon as possible.

Some injuries (like traumatic brain injuries) may not be immediately apparent. If you discover that you’re injured days later, insurance may deny your claim because you didn’t seek medical care right away.

Notify Your Insurer

Most car insurance policies require you to notify your insurer after an accident. Keep it brief, and politely decline to make a recorded statement if asked.

Keep Bills and Records

If you do decide to pursue a car accident lawsuit, you’ll need to have as much documentation as possible. Medical bills and medical records are especially critical.

It’s also important to obtain a copy of the accident report. To do so, you may submit a request to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

Report the Accident to the California DMV

Unlike most states, California law requires drivers to report all accidents that result in death, injury or over $1,000 in damage to any person’s property. This report is required even if the police responded to the crash and prepared an official accident report. Moreover, this obligation falls on all drivers involved, even if another driver has already filed a report.

How long do you have to report an accident to the California DMV? The report is due within ten days after the crash. You can file the report on paper or online using form SR-1, and you can access the online form on the DMV’s website. The DMV can suspend the driver’s licenses of any drivers who fail to meet the reporting requirement.

You will need the following information to complete the report:

• Your driver’s license number
• Your license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Your auto insurance information
• The other person’s vehicle and insurance information

When you gather information for your insurance claim, you can purchase a copy of the other driver’s report.

Consult an Attorney

Even if you aren’t sure if you want to pursue legal action, it doesn’t hurt to consult a San Diego car accident lawyer. Most lawyers offer free consultations and will tell you honestly if it’s worth filing a lawsuit.

The Importance of Quality Representation

The right attorney can dramatically increase your chances of recovering fair compensation. If you aren’t sure how to find a lawyer, ConsumerShield can help. Fill out our contact form for a free case review!