Here Is How to Handle a Car Accident Claim

Updated: September 5, 2025

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, knowing what steps to take to protect your legal rights, well-being, and financial recovery is vital. Here is how to handle a car accident claim the most effectively.

For additional questions, unique to your case, contact us for a free consultation with our Santa Ana car accident lawyers at your convenience.

7 Steps for Filing a Santa Ana Car Accident Claim

To optimize your car insurance claim, you must have a general understanding of the legal proceedings. Here’s how to best prepare and effectively manage your Santa Ana car accident claim.

Document the damage: Immediately following a car crash, document the car accident scene, taking notes and photographs of:

Location, date, time
Name, address, phone number, and insurance policy number for all involved
Weather conditions at the time of the accident

Report the Accident: Regardless of fault, you must immediately notify your insurance company and the DMV about the crash and submit all requested documentation promptly within the days following the car crash. Many accidents also require police notification, and a police report should be filed regardless, as it can help determine fault.
Investigation: At the start of the claims process, insurance adjusters from both sides will be assigned, and an investigation to determine legal liability and assess losses will begin. Their process typically includes reviewing medical records, evaluating repair estimates, collecting witness statements, and interviewing the parties involved.
Interview with Insurance: Only factual details, such as the accident date, other driver’s insurance company information, and contact information, should be provided to insurance providers, so do not speculate about what you believe occurred. You are not required to share any other information and should avoid statements about feeling “fine.”
Initial Settlement Offer: Following the investigation, damages will be established. Then, the at-fault party’s insurance will likely present a settlement offer, but it is common for this initial offer to be significantly less than the true value of your Santa Ana car accident claim.
The Negotiation Phase: If the initial settlement offer does not account for the full extent of damages, negotiations can take place. An experienced car accident attorney can be invaluable during this critical stage, making a substantial difference in the financial outcome.
Resolution: This may involve reaching a settlement or filing a car accident lawsuit. If negotiations are unsuccessful, you may proceed by filing a lawsuit to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

What To Do Immediately at the Accident Scene

Following these steps—from addressing the immediate aftermath at the scene to submitting a successful car insurance claim—will significantly improve your chances of protecting your well-being and obtaining the financial compensation you are owed.

1. Prioritize Safety

After a crash, your first responsibility is safety. If possible, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to prevent further collisions. If your vehicle cannot be moved, turn on your hazard lights and set out flares or reflective triangles if you have them.

2. Call 911

Even if the accident seems minor, report the car crash to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD). A police officer will document the crash, take witness statements, and create a police report. This report can serve as critical evidence for your insurance claim and personal injury case.

3. Address Injuries and Seek Medical Attention

Check for injuries and call emergency services if necessary. If you decline for the paramedics to take you to the ER, due to concerns of who will pay for the ambulance or out of necessity, it’s still strongly advised to seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Adrenaline can mask some car accident injury symptoms, like traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or internal bleeding, and can have long-term effects if left untreated.

5. Limit Interaction with the Other Party

Any statements shared with the other driver can jeopardize the car accident claim. Even if intended as a polite gesture, avoid apologizing, as a simple “sorry” can be misconstrued as an admission of fault. Instead, conversations should be brief and factual, limited to exchanging:

Driver’s license number
Full name and contact information
Insurance information: provider and policy number
Vehicle registration, make, model, and license plate

Additionally, only provide relevant details when speaking to law enforcement.

6. Document the Car Accident Scene

Illustrate how the car crash occurred and its resulting aftermath by taking photos and videos of:

Injuries
Position of vehicles before they are moved
Road conditions, skid marks, and traffic signs
Vehicle damage (all angles)

If there are witnesses, politely request their statements, names, and contact details. This evidence is powerful when disputing liability on the other driver or case value.

What To Do in the Days Following the Car Accident

1. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the crash to your insurance provider, but do not speculate or guess any details involving fault or severity of injuries. Provide basic facts only, and avoid giving recorded statements before seeking legal guidance.

2. Obtain a Copy of the Police Report

If a police report was not filed at the accident scene, it will need to be filed as soon as possible. This can take months to be completed if the SAPD has a backlog of cases, ultimately delaying when you can recover a settlement. Once it becomes available, carefully review it for accuracy and address any errors.

3. Keep Thorough Records

Detailed records strengthen your auto accident claim and make it more difficult for insurance companies to dispute your financial losses. Create a dedicated file for all accident-related documents, including:

Any invoices regarding out-of–pocket expenses
Car repair estimates
Correspondence with insurance companies
Medical bills
Medical records regarding diagnosis and treatment
Prescription receipts
Record of missed work and pay stubs
Thorough notes regarding accident details

4. Follow Through with Medical Treatment

To ensure the strength of your car accident claim, it’s crucial to attend all scheduled doctor’s appointments and follow through with all prescribed treatments and follow-ups. Any missed appointments or gaps in treatment could be used by insurance companies to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.

5. Limit Social Media Activity

Insurance adjusters frequently monitor social media for evidence that could undermine car accident claims. Even seemingly innocent posts, like a family photo or a TikTok/Instagram Reel showing you on a walk, can be misconstrued to suggest you did not suffer a serious injury. To avoid this, it’s best to refrain from posting on social media until your case is finalized.

Why Your Actions After a Car Accident Matter

Insurance companies are motivated to protect their profits–not your well-being. Therefore, what you do immediately after a car accident can significantly impact both your physical recovery and the outcome of your auto accident claim.

This means every statement shared, every piece of evidence gathered (or failed to gather), and every medical appointment attended can strongly influence how much compensation you ultimately receive.

Taking the right steps helps ensure that:

Your health and safety remain the top priority.
Important evidence is preserved before it disappears.
Your rights are protected from deceitful insurance company tactics.
You don’t accidentally jeopardize your claim by saying or doing the wrong thing.

What Can Be Compensated in a Car Accident Claim?

Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses proven by receipts and invoices, while non-economic damages are intangible, subjective losses requiring strong argumentation. A car insurance claim can cover both economic and non-economic damages, including:

Medical bills: Emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, medication, rehabilitation, and future medical costs
Loss of consortium: Damages related to the effect on family relationships in severe personal injury cases
Lost wages: Income lost while recovering, loss of future earnings (bonuses, promotion), reduced earning capacity if injuries are long-term
Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Property damage: Repair costs, rental car, replacement of the damaged vehicle, and other damaged personal items
Wrongful death: Funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of financial support, or other expenses the deceased provided to the surviving family

Why You Need to Work with the Best Car Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers dedicated to minimizing victim payouts. Managing a Santa Ana car accident case on your own can decrease the likelihood of a fair settlement and expose you to unfair insurance practices, potentially leading to your claim being denied entirely.

An experienced car accident attorney can significantly strengthen your personal injury claim and provide assistance in the following areas:

Accurately calculate the full extent of damages
Agressively negotiate for a fair settlement
Handle all communication with insurance companies
Investigate the accident and collect evidence to prove legal liability
Represent you in court if necessary

Our award-winning legal team at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer handles car accident cases and maintains an impressive track record of securing the maximum compensation for our clients.

Our Santa Ana car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means zero upfront fees and no payments until we secure a successful resolution on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Car Accident Claims Process

Will the insurance company cover all my losses?

Not necessarily. Insurers look for ways to minimize payouts. Without strong evidence and legal assistance, you may not receive full compensation for various damages, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

What if I can’t afford a car accident attorney?

Because many car accident law firms work on contingency, you can hire one with no upfront cost. Then, you only pay if your case is successful.

What should I do if the other driver is uninsured?

If the other driver lacks coverage or their policy limits max out, and you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your personal policy may cover your damages. A car accident attorney can help you pursue all available avenues for compensation through your own insurance company.

How long do I have to file an insurance claim?

In Santa Ana, CA, personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury, and car accidents should typically be reported to your insurance provider within 24 hours of the crash. This allows them to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, but the exact timeframe can vary based on your insurance policy’s terms.

Should I accept the first settlement offer?

Initial offers are often significantly lower than the actual value of your case, which is why it is advisable to consult with an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer before accepting any proposed offer. This ensures that crucial damages, such as future medical expenses and compensation for pain and suffering, are not excluded.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident in Santa Ana, CA

Dealing with a car accident claim in the aftermath of a collision can be overwhelming. However, by following the recommended procedures for handling such claims and seeking advice from an experienced lawyer, you can protect your well-being, finances, and future.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, Jeff’s got you. Our dedicated car accident law firm, Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, is here to fight for the compensation you deserve.