When a car accident happens, the actions taken in the minutes and days that follow can significantly affect a person's health and legal recovery. Capitol City Legal Group, a personal injury firm with offices in Roseville and Sacramento, is offering practical guidance to help drivers navigate this stressful period. The firm emphasizes that simple steps—from calling 911 to documenting the scene—can preserve evidence and strengthen any insurance claim.
The stakes are high in California, which recorded 4,061 traffic deaths in 2023, including 1,106 pedestrians and 583 motorcyclists, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. For many people, a serious crash is a first-time experience, and knowing what to do is not intuitive. "Most people have never been in a serious crash, and nobody hands them a checklist when it happens," said Andrey R. Yurtsan, CEO and principal attorney of Capitol City Legal Group. "What you do in that first week can make a real difference in how your case turns out."
According to the firm, the first priority is to stop, check for injuries, and call 911. California law requires drivers involved in a crash that injures someone to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who is hurt. A police report also creates an official record of what happened. Seeking medical care immediately is equally important, as head, neck, and back injuries—including traumatic brain injuries—do not always cause symptoms at the scene. A same-day or next-day doctor visit protects health and links the injury to the crash.
Collecting evidence is another critical step. Photograph the vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries. Obtain the other driver's name, license, plate number, and insurance details, as well as contact information for witnesses. Drivers must also report the crash to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed or if property damage exceeds $1,000, under California Vehicle Code Section 16000. This is separate from any police report.
The firm also cautions against giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters. The other driver's insurance company may call quickly and ask for a recorded statement, but there is no obligation to provide one. Early settlement offers often come before a person knows how badly they are hurt. Knowing the deadlines is equally important: most personal injury lawsuits in California must be filed within two years, and if a government agency may be responsible—for example, due to a dangerous road condition—a government claim generally must be filed within six months. Furthermore, California follows a pure comparative fault rule, so a person who was partly to blame can still recover damages, reduced by their share of fault.
"Call a lawyer before you sign anything or give a recorded statement," Yurtsan said. "A free consultation costs you nothing, and you'll know your options before the insurance company makes its first offer."
Capitol City Legal Group, led by Andrey R. Yurtsan, represents people injured in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents across Placer and Sacramento counties. The firm's past results include a $1 million settlement for a trip-and-fall injury in a Sacramento County park and a $650,000 verdict in a pedestrian case, though past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Consultations are free, and more information is available at Capitol City Legal Group.
