Getting into a car accident is stressful. Whether it happened on the I-5, along Olive Avenue, or somewhere near the Burbank Town Center, the minutes right after a crash matter more than most people realize. What you do and what you don’t do can affect your health, your insurance claim, and any legal case that follows.
Here’s a straightforward guide on what to do after a car accident in Burbank.
Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
Before anything else, check yourself and anyone else in the vehicle for injuries. If you’re hurt, stay still and wait for help. If you can move safely, get out of the road and onto the sidewalk or shoulder to avoid being hit by passing traffic.
Call 911 if anyone is injured, even if the injuries seem minor. Emergency responders can evaluate everyone at the scene, which creates a medical record from the day of the accident. That record matters later.
If the vehicles are drivable and it’s safe to do so, move them out of traffic to prevent additional accidents. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you.
Call the Police and Report the Crash
In Burbank, the Burbank Police Department handles accident reports within city limits. Their non-emergency number is (818) 238-3000, but if anyone is injured, call 911 directly.
A police report creates an official record of the accident. It includes the date, time, location, the parties involved, and sometimes a preliminary assessment of what happened. Insurance companies use these reports when processing claims. If the other driver disputes what happened later, the police report is one of the first things your lawyer will request.
Don’t assume the accident is too minor to report. Even low-speed crashes can cause injuries that show up days later. Having a report already filed protects you.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
Before anyone leaves the scene, get the following from the other driver:
- Full name and phone number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and year
If there are passengers or witnesses, get their names and phone numbers too. Witnesses who aren’t involved in the crash have no stake in the outcome, which makes their accounts valuable if fault is later disputed.
Document the Accident Scene
Your smartphone is one of the most useful tools at the scene. Take photos and short videos of:
- All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
- Any visible damage to the cars
- Skid marks or debris on the road
- Traffic signals, stop signs, or lane markings nearby
- Your injuries, including bruises, cuts, or swelling
- The overall scene, including weather and lighting conditions
- Any surveillance cameras on nearby buildings
The more documentation you have, the better. Scenes change quickly. Skid marks fade. Vehicles get repaired. Evidence that exists right after the crash may be gone within days.
Get Medical Care Even If You Feel Fine
A lot of people feel okay right after a crash and skip the hospital. That’s understandable, but it’s one of the most common mistakes people make.
Some injuries don’t show up immediately. Whiplash, soft tissue damage, herniated discs, and concussions can take hours or even days to produce symptoms. Neck pain that starts as stiffness on day two can become a serious problem by the end of the week.
If you skip medical care and symptoms develop later, the insurance company will argue your injuries weren’t caused by the crash. Getting evaluated on the day of the accident, even at urgent care, creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the accident. That connection is important for any future claim.
Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
After a crash, you’ll hear from insurance adjusters. That can happen surprisingly fast, sometimes within a day or two. Be careful about what you say.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to resolve the claim, ideally for as little money as possible. They may ask for a recorded statement, request access to your medical history, or present an early settlement offer before you fully understand your injuries.
A few things to keep in mind:
Don’t admit fault, even casually. Saying “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you coming” can be used against you later.
Don’t guess about your injuries. If you’re not sure how badly you’re hurt, say so. Minimizing injuries early in the process can hurt your claim.
Don’t agree to a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first.
You’re allowed to tell the adjuster you need time to speak with legal counsel before answering questions. That’s a reasonable and common response.
Keep Records After the Accident
Start a file right away and add to it consistently. Here’s what to track:
- All medical bills and treatment records
- Receipts for prescriptions and medical equipment
- Vehicle repair estimates and invoices
- Rental car costs if your car was out of service
- Documentation of missed work and lost income
- Photos you took at the scene
- All correspondence with insurance companies
- Any emails, letters, or claim numbers you receive
This organized record becomes the foundation of any insurance claim or legal case. The more complete it is, the easier it is to show what the accident actually cost you.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer?
Not every fender-bender requires a lawyer. But certain situations make legal help worth considering sooner rather than later.
You may want to speak with a lawyer if:
- Your injuries are serious or may require ongoing treatment
- The other driver disputes fault or their story doesn’t match yours
- The insurance company’s settlement offer seems too low
- The other driver had no insurance or fled the scene
- You missed work because of your injuries.
- You’re not sure what your claim is actually worth
The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your position. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to reach, and important deadlines can sneak up on you. In California, most personal injury claims have a two-year filing deadline, but some situations, like accidents involving government vehicles, have much shorter windows.
Every case is different. What applies to someone else’s accident may not apply to yours. Speaking with a lawyer about your specific situation is the best way to understand your options.
Speak With a Burbank Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash in Burbank or anywhere in Los Angeles County, talking to a Burbank personal injury lawyer early can make a real difference in your outcome. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti offers free consultations for car accident victims. There’s no obligation, and you don’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
As a Burbank personal injury lawyer serving clients across the area, Adrianos Facchetti handles car accident cases personally, no being passed off to an associate, no waiting weeks to hear back.
Call (626) 793-8607 for a free consultation, 24 hours a day.
