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In the Event of an Accident:
Stay calm and check for injuries for yourself, your passengers and all others involved. If in doubt call an ambulance.
If the accident is minor, move cars to a safe place, out of traffic. Turn on your vehicle's hazard lights and use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety.
Call the police, even if the accident is minor.
Be courteous and exchange information with all parties involved. Make sure you obtain the driver's license number, the driver's name, address and telephone number, the registered owner of the vehicle, the make model and license plate number of the vehicles involved, insurance information including the policy number.
Obtain the name, address and telephone number of any witnesses.
If it is safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles involved and possible the parties involved.
Notify your insurance company.
Do not sign any document unless it's for the police.
Make immediate notes about the accident, including specific damages to all vehicles involved, witness information, etc., statements made by others, etc.
Be polite, but don't tell anyone the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
State only the facts, and limit your discussion of the accident to the police, your attorney and your insurance agent.
If possible, don't leave the accident scene before the police and other drivers do.
If injured, seek medical care and treatment at your earliest convenience. Keep a notebook of developing injuries and pains, together with incurred expenses. Keep all receipts, invoices, statements, and bills. Take photographs of your injuries (i.e. cuts, bruises, fractures, etc. . .)
New California Driving Laws
HANDS-FREE TALK AND TEXT: Californians can now legally use hands-free technology to talk and text while driving, thanks to AB 1536. To do it legally, drivers must use a device specifically designed and configured to allow a voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send or listen to a text-based communication. The device is required to also be used in a voice-operated, hands-free manner to be in compliance with the law.
PROOF OF INSURANCE: Drivers will now have the option of providing proof of insurance and registration on an electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet, when it is requested by law enforcement, with the passage of AB 1708.
MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN: Section 21809 VC requires a person driving a vehicle on a freeway and approaching in a lane immediately adjacent to a stationary, authorized emergency vehicle that displays emergency lights, or a stationary tow truck that displays flashing amber warning lights, to safely make a lane change from that lane, or slow to a reasonable speed. Section 25253 VC requires tow trucks used to tow disabled vehicles to be equipped with flashing amber warning lamps and authorizes tow trucks to display flashing amber warning lamps while providing service to a disabled vehicle. However, this section prohibits tow trucks from displaying flashing amber warning lamps on a freeway except when an unusual traffic hazard or extreme hazard exists. This law applies to all emergency vehicles including police, CHP, fire department, ambulance, tow trucks, and Cal Trans vehicles.
Personal Liability Immunity ( AB 83, Feuer) This new law provides that a Good Samaritan who renders medical or non-medical care at the scene of an emergency would not be liable for any civil damages.
Charter-Party Carriers of Passengers: Alcoholic Beverages: Open Containers legislation, Assembly Bill 45, Chesbro. The law prohibits underage drinking in charter-party carriers (limos, buses, etc.) and makes the carrier and driver responsible for communicating this to their passengers. The law also requires a designee, who is at least 25 years of age, to be present whenever there are passengers who are under 21 years of age on board the vehicle and alcohol is being transported. The designee shall be responsible for ensuring the rules are followed, and the safety of the underage passengers throughout the duration of the trip.