What to Do After a Car Accident in Long Beach?

By Douglas D. Shaffer

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Car Accidents

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Last Modified on Oct 12, 2025

Driving is an everyday necessity for people in Long Beach, so it can be easy to forget the risks you take each time you get behind the wheel. When an accident happens, it can be overwhelming and traumatic. That’s why it is important to know what to do after a car accident in Long Beach. Fortunately, there are a few critical steps you can take after a crash to protect your health and secure compensation for your losses.

Overview of Car Accidents in Long Beach

Car accidents are a pressing public safety concern for people across California. In 2022, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reported 17,916 incidents involving serious injuries and 4,428 fatalities. In Long Beach, the deaths and injuries combined were 3,542. You don’t have to be driving on the 405 or the Harbor Freeway for an accident to happen.

Accidents in Long Beach have many common causes. A few frequent sources include:

• Lane changes
• DUI and impaired driving
• Exhausted drivers
• Turns
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Improper yielding at stop signs and intersections

What to Do After a Long Beach Car Accident

The steps you take in the minutes, days, and weeks after a Long Beach car accident can have a major impact on your medical condition, insurance coverage, and legal options. The following are a few necessary actions to take after a crash:

Seek Medical Care

The first thing you should do after a car accident is assess yourself and other passengers for injuries. If you have sustained a serious wound, seek immediate medical attention. There are several 24/7 emergency departments situated around the city. The largest ER is located inside MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, at 2801 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806.

If your condition is stable, but other parties involved are injured, you have a legal duty of care to make sure they get treated. This includes calling emergency services and waiting for a more qualified medical professional to arrive on the scene.

Report the Accident

The next thing Long Beach car accident laws require you to do is report the accident to the authorities. This may be made to the Long Beach Police Department on city streets or the California Highway Patrol on a freeway. State law requires drivers involved in an accident that caused bodily injury or death to provide information to law enforcement on the scene. They must also notify the authorities within 24 hours of the incident.

If an incident causes more than $1,000 in property damage or someone is injured, you must report the event to the DMV within 10 days using an SB-1 Form.

Failure to report or leaving the scene before EMTs or police arrive may result in a hit-and-run charge, with a maximum penalty of one year in county jail and a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000. If the accident involved a serious injury or death, the prison sentence is two to four years.

Collect Information for a Potential Car Accident Claim

Once the accident is reported and medical conditions are taken care of, collect information about the incident. The most important step is exchanging insurance and contact information with the other drivers involved. Other vital pieces of evidence to gather include:

• Photos and videos of the site: These should record details such as damage to your car, skid marks, broken glass, and other key factors of the crash site.
• Witnesses: Eyewitnesses to what happened can be crucial, along with videos taken by security or traffic cameras. Make sure to get the contact information of the people who saw your accident.
• Records: This encompasses police reports, medical records, and any other official documentation of the event.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

The days after a car crash can be disorienting and overwhelming. Hire a Long Beach car accident lawyer to assist you through the necessary steps to maintain legality. They can make the report to your insurance provider, file necessary reports, and explore potential personal injury claims if the other parties involved were negligent.

FAQs

When Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Long Beach, CA?

While you are not legally required to have legal representation, a Long Beach, CA car accident attorney can handle many issues that are common in the aftermath of a crash. They can file insurance claims and negotiate with your provider on your behalf. If someone else was responsible, they can draft a personal injury claim to seek compensation. An experienced attorney can handle the legal problems while you can focus on rest and recovery.

Are You Legally Required to Report a Car Accident in Long Beach, CA?

In Long Beach, CA, you are legally required to report a car accident to various authorities, depending on the situation. If more than $1,000 in damage has been sustained to the vehicles, any bodily injury occurred, or someone died, you must notify the DMV within 10 days. If anyone has been injured or killed in an accident, you are required to report it to the police or the California Highway Patrol within 24 hours.

Where Should You Go After a Car Accident in Long Beach, CA?

After a car accident in Long Beach, CA, once the authorities have arrived, you should go to a hospital or urgent care center as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel harmed, some symptoms may only appear after a short period. Long Beach has several 24/7 emergency departments located around the city, including MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes in Long Beach, CA?

Long Beach, CA, car crashes are caused by a wide range of variables and factors that change between incidents. The California Office of Traffic Safety reported that 33% of fatal crashes involved a drunk driver, and 32% included speeding. Distracted driving is another concern, responsible for 4% of traffic deaths. Other causes of crashes include lane merging, turns, drowsy driving, failure to yield, and crossing intersections.

Speak With a Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer Today

Contact Shaffer Law today for an initial consultation, where we can learn your story, address your needs, and explore potential legal avenues for your case.