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Serious Personal Injury - Car Accident

What Do I Need To Do After A San Jose Car Accident?

The Right Steps To Take After A Car Accident 

The information on this page also applies to people who got hurt in ALL of the 12 Counties Where I Work, including Santa Clara County.

1. STAY AT THE SCENE

Stay at the accident scene, even if the other party fled. Most car insurance policies require a police report in order to file an uninsured motorist claim, which is the type of claim likely filed if the other person fled.

2. CALL 911

Call 911 and wait for the police to arrive so they can prepare a police report. Unless an ambulance arrives to bring you to the ER, do not leave the scene until the police get there and take a report.

3. REMEMBER, SAFETY FIRST

After calling 911, do all of the below that you can safely, and reasonably, do. Move to a safe place, out of the way of traffic, if it is safe to do so. Do not interfere with the police investigation nor do anything that puts the safety of you and/or others at risk.

4. EXCHANGE INFORMATION

Exchange your “information” with the other party, unless you are rendered unable to do so. [1] “Information” means your name, current home address, driver's license number, VIN, current home address of the registered owner, and proof of insurance.

5. WITNESS INFORMATION

Get the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver's license numbers from all witnesses, but remember to not interfere with the police investigation.

6. PHOTOS: LICENSE AND REGISTRATION

Ask to see the other party's driver's license(s) and vehicle registration(s) and ask them if you can take cell phone photos of these items. 

7. PHOTOS: OTHER PARTY

Take pictures of the other party/parties if it's safe to do so.

8. PHOTOS: ACCIDENT SCENE

Take pictures of the accident scene. Capture the nearby street signs if they are visible to you, as well as the traffic controls and visual obstacles, if any.

9. PHOTOS: OTHER INVOLVED CAR(S)

Take pictures of the other cars, including their license plates. 

10. PHOTOS: WITNESSES

Take pictures of the witnesses, including passengers in other involved cars. 

11. PHOTOS: YOUR INJURIES

If your injuries are visible right now, photograph them and take a head to toe photo, not just your injured area(s).

12. SAVE BY EMAIL

Send all the above to yourself through regular email (not by saving them to social media).

13. SAY ONLY WHAT YOU REALLY KNOW

When the police arrive, tell them what you know happened. But, do not guess! Only tell them what you really do know. If you hit your head, or lost consciousness, be sure to tell the police. If the police don't offer it to you, get the police report number from the officer by having them write it on his or her card.

14. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Seek immediate medical attention at your local emergency room. Some injuries may not be apparent to you, but a doctor can detect them.

15. CONTACT A GOOD ATTORNEY

Talk to an attorney before you do anything besides: calling 911 and seek medical care. My name is Renée Yvonne Gardner. I am the attorney at Gardner Law. I speak Spanish - hablo español. I have experience with personal injury and wrongful death accident. If you had an accident or got bitten by a dog, reach out to me here: message me here.

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I am located in Santa Clara County but I represent injured people in these 12 California Counties:

 Alameda County ○ Contra Costa County ○ Fresno County ○ Marin County ○ Merced County ○ Monterey County ○ San Benito County ○ San Francisco County ○ San Joaquin County ○ San Mateo County ○ Santa Clara County ○ Santa Cruz County

Contact Renée Today

For one-on-one and personalized representation in serious personal injury or death cases, or streamlined and efficient small claims court assistance for your consumer issue, I'm here to serve you.

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