California Auto Accident Laws

What if you are in an accident in California? What do you do? Well don’t get panicky. Here is something that can help you understand the California auto accidents laws.

California Auto Accident Laws

The California auto accident laws states that whether the accident involves a pedestrian, a moving or a stationary car, someone’s property the person involved in the accident has to stop. If the person flees away after the accident he is charged with a hit and run case even if he is not at fault. The person is also required to exchange information with the other driver or party involved in the accident like name and driver's license number, the vehicle identification number of the car being driven, the name and address of the car's owner, the name and address of your insurance company and your insurance policy number. If you dare to flee then the penalties are severe. It all depends on the damage and injury that has been caused you may be fined or may be fined or jailed both. You can even end up losing your driver’s license. In case you have hit a car that is parked then you require looking for the owner of the car. If you don’t find the owner then leave the required information about yourself car number driver’s license number and the cause of the accident in a visible place and leave the scene of the accident. You also need to inform the local police or the California Highway Patrol. If the accident has caused a death or injury call the police and give all the required information. If no officer turns up at the accident place then fill in a form that is available at the police station as soon as possible.

If the accident has caused injury then according to the California law you need to provide assistance to the injured person/s. You may call for an ambulance or take the person to the nearest hospital or give him/her first aid. In case you don’t know about the first aid procedures then don’t move the injured person, however you should help out a person if he is in a worse situation and is in danger of being hurt or killed.

What to do when caught in an Accident

As soon as you get caught in an accident call for help. Give the

exact location of the accident so that the help arrives quickly. Till help arrives you can make a note of a few things like the other driver's name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver's license number and expiration date, and insurance company. The other car's make, year, model, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number. The names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance companies of the other car's legal and registered owners if the driver does not own the car. The names, addresses, dates of birth, driver's license numbers and telephone numbers of any passengers in the other car. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses at the accident spot. Even make a note of the weather and road conditions of the place. If the accident has occurred after dark then note whether the streetlights were working. Approximately note the speed of your as well as the other car at the time of the accident.

If you think you were responsible for the accident don’t own up. You might be unaware of certain conditions which if known could prove you less at fault. Do not sign on any paper except the traffic ticket without consulting your attorney. If you get a traffic ticket just sign it. It does not suffice that you are guilty. It only means that you have agreed to appear in the court.

Insurance

California auto accident laws and financial responsibility law states that every vehicle and driver should have insurance, it is necessary that whenever you drive you need to carry this evidence of financial responsibility. This can be in the form of an insurance card, in case the name of your insurer and the policy number is mentioned in the Department of Motor Vehicles records then you simply need to write the automobile insurance policy number and the name of the insurer on the back of your vehicle registration. In case you don’t have this evidence you will be penalized for it and if you have an accident you might end up losing your driver's license for up to four years.

The law says that you can confirm your financial responsibility by producing an insurance certificate or you can deposit $35,000 in cash with the DMV or a bond for $35,000, issued by a California-licensed surety bonding company or a self-insurance certificate issued by the DMV.

As soon as you can get a physical check up done by an experienced physician after an accident. You might be injured and unaware of the injury. Your automobile insurance is entitled to pay some or all of the health care bills

Getting compensation for the accident depends on whose fault it is. If you are responsible for the accident then your liability insurance is supposed to pay for your loss. If you are not at fault, the other driver's liability insurance pays for your car damage and/or personal injuries up to the policy limits of the other driver's policy. In case the other driver is not insured then your insurer will be paying for the losses. If you have collision insurance, it will usually pay for damage to your car, minus your deductible, no matter who is at fault. If someone sues you then you need to contact your insurance agent, he will arrange a lawyer for you. If the damage cost is more than your policy limits then you need to hire your own lawyer.

You can arrange for a lawyer with the help of your family or friends. They could help you out in getting a well-known lawyer. The lawyer should be certified and well versed with the California auto accident laws. You can also do an internet search to look out for lawyers who could help you out.