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What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Long Beach, CA? | Legal Guide

car-accident · By Payam Soliemanzadeh, Esq. · September 22, 2026

Written and reviewed by Payam Soliemanzadeh, Founder and President — Updated September 22, 2026

The moments following a car accident in Long Beach can determine the outcome of your claim. This guide walks you through the essential steps to protect your health, preserve evidence, and safeguard your legal rights after a collision on Interstate 710, Pacific Coast Highway, or any Long Beach roadway.

Immediately after a car accident in Long Beach, ensure safety and call 911 if anyone is injured. Move to a safe location, exchange information with other drivers, document the scene with photos and witness contacts, obtain a police report, seek medical evaluation, notify your insurer, and consult a car accident attorney to protect your rights under California's two-year statute of limitations.

Long Beach is one of the busiest urban centers in Los Angeles County, with thousands of drivers navigating Interstate 710, Interstate 405, State Route 91, Pacific Coast Highway, and other heavily traveled corridors every day. Whether you are commuting along the Long Beach Freeway, heading to the Port of Long Beach, or traveling along Ocean Boulevard, the risk of a collision is real. When an accident happens, the decisions you make in the first minutes and hours can shape the success of any insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit you may file.

California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for the crash is liable for the injured party's damages. To recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering, you must be able to prove who caused the collision and the extent of your losses. That proof begins at the scene. This guide explains the critical steps to take immediately after a car accident in Long Beach, California, and how to protect both your health and your legal rights.

Every accident is different, and the steps you take depend on the severity of injuries, the number of vehicles involved, and whether the collision occurred on a freeway such as the San Diego Freeway or a surface street like Atlantic Avenue. Regardless of the specifics, certain actions are universal and essential to preserving your claim.

Ensure Safety and Call for Help

Your first priority after a car accident is safety. If your vehicle is operable and blocking traffic on a busy corridor like Interstate 710 or Pacific Coast Highway, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot if it is safe to do so. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If the collision resulted in serious injuries, do not attempt to move injured persons unless they are in immediate danger from fire or oncoming traffic.

Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, if vehicles cannot be moved, or if you suspect the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The California Highway Patrol typically responds to accidents on state highways and freeways in Long Beach, while the Long Beach Police Department handles collisions on city streets. A police report documents the scene, the involved parties, and often the officer's preliminary assessment of fault, which can be critical evidence in your claim.

Even if injuries seem minor at the scene, adrenaline and shock can mask symptoms of serious conditions such as concussions, internal bleeding, or soft-tissue injuries. If emergency responders recommend transport to a hospital, accept it. MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, located at 2801 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806, is a Level II trauma center and the nearest designated facility equipped to handle serious crash injuries. Prompt medical evaluation creates a contemporaneous record linking your injuries to the accident, which is vital when you file a claim.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

After confirming that everyone is safe and emergency services are on the way, exchange information with the other driver. California Vehicle Code §16056 requires drivers to maintain financial responsibility, typically through liability insurance, and you will need the other party's insurance details to file a claim. Collect the following information from every driver involved:

Full name, address, and telephone number; driver's license number and state; license plate number and vehicle make, model, and color; insurance company name and policy number; and the name of the registered owner if different from the driver. Be courteous but do not discuss fault, apologize, or speculate about what happened. Even a casual statement such as "I didn't see you" can be used against you later. Stick to exchanging facts and leave the determination of fault to the police, insurers, and if necessary, the courts.

If the other driver is uncooperative, refuses to provide insurance information, or leaves the scene, note as much detail as possible about their vehicle and report the incident to police immediately. Uninsured and hit-and-run drivers are common in California, and your own uninsured motorist coverage may be the only avenue for recovery in those cases.

Document the Scene Thoroughly

Evidence fades quickly after an accident. Skid marks are washed away, debris is cleared, and memories grow hazy. Use your smartphone to photograph and video-record the scene while details are fresh. Capture wide-angle shots showing the position of all vehicles, the surrounding roadway, traffic signals, and signage. Take close-ups of vehicle damage, broken glass, fluid leaks, and any visible injuries. If weather or lighting conditions contributed to the crash—fog, rain, or a setting sun on Ocean Boulevard, for example—document those as well.

Collect contact information from witnesses. Independent third parties who saw the collision can provide crucial testimony if the other driver disputes fault. Write down their names, phone numbers, and a brief summary of what they observed. If bystanders recorded video on their phones, ask if they are willing to share it. Traffic cameras, dashboard cameras, and security footage from nearby businesses can also be valuable, but they are often deleted or overwritten within days. Your attorney can send preservation letters to secure that evidence before it disappears.

Note the location, date, and time of the accident with precision. If the collision occurred on a freeway such as the Artesia Freeway, record the nearest exit or cross street. This information is necessary for the police report, the insurance claim, and any future litigation. The more detail you preserve, the stronger your case will be.

Seek Medical Attention and Follow Treatment

Even if you declined emergency transport at the scene, see a physician within 24 to 48 hours. Some injuries—whiplash, concussions, herniated discs, and internal trauma—do not produce immediate symptoms. A medical professional can diagnose these conditions before they worsen and establish a clear causal link between the accident and your injuries. Delaying treatment gives the insurance company an opportunity to argue that your injuries were caused by something other than the crash or that they are not as serious as you claim.

Follow your doctor's treatment plan completely. Attend all appointments, complete prescribed physical therapy, and take medications as directed. Gaps in treatment or failure to follow medical advice can be used to reduce the value of your claim. Insurance adjusters routinely review medical records to find reasons to minimize payouts, and missing appointments or stopping treatment prematurely suggests that your injuries were not severe.

Keep copies of all medical records, bills, prescriptions, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses such as over-the-counter medications, medical devices, and mileage to appointments. These documents form the foundation of the economic damages portion of your claim. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are non-economic damages that may also be recoverable, depending on the severity and duration of your injuries.

Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

California law and your insurance policy require you to notify your insurer of an accident promptly. Failure to do so can jeopardize your coverage. Contact your insurance company, provide basic facts about the collision, and cooperate with their investigation. However, do not give a recorded statement or sign any release without first consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters, even those employed by your own carrier, are trained to minimize claim payouts. An offhand comment or an incomplete description of your injuries can be used to devalue or deny your claim.

If the at-fault driver has insurance, their carrier will likely contact you soon after the accident. You are not obligated to speak with them, and you should be cautious if you do. The other driver's insurer does not represent your interests and will look for any reason to reduce their liability. Politely decline to give a statement and refer them to your attorney.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is an important protection in California, where a significant percentage of drivers carry only the state minimum liability limits or no insurance at all. As of January 1, 2025, California's minimum liability coverage increased to $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Drivers injured by someone carrying only the minimum may find that coverage inadequate to compensate serious injuries. UM/UIM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance. Insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage, and it may be waived only in writing.

Understand California's Legal Deadlines

California law imposes strict deadlines for filing injury claims and lawsuits. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to compensation, no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the other driver's fault.

If the collision involved a government entity—a city bus, a county maintenance vehicle, or a crash caused by a dangerous road condition maintained by a public agency—you must file an administrative claim under Government Code section 911.2 within six months of the accident. Only after that claim is denied or deemed denied may you file a lawsuit, and you must do so within six months of the denial or two years from the accrual of the claim, whichever is earlier. Missing the six-month government claim deadline typically bars your case entirely.

These deadlines are unforgiving, and waiting to consult an attorney can leave you with insufficient time to investigate, gather evidence, and negotiate. Retaining counsel early allows your legal team to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, obtain police and medical records, and build a compelling case while the facts are fresh.

Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement

Insurance companies often make low settlement offers soon after an accident, hoping to resolve the claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses. These early offers rarely account for future medical treatment, ongoing pain, lost earning capacity, or non-economic damages. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim, even if your condition worsens or you discover additional injuries.

Consult an experienced car accident attorney before accepting any offer or signing any document. A thorough evaluation of your claim considers not only your current medical bills and lost wages but also future treatment needs, permanent impairment, diminished quality of life, and the strength of the liability evidence. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you may recover damages even if you are partially at fault, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can assess how fault is likely to be apportioned and what your claim is truly worth.

Local Details

Long Beach is located in Los Angeles County, and any personal injury lawsuit arising from a car accident here will be filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Long Beach is served by the South District of the Los Angeles Superior Court, and the courthouse handling civil cases for this area is the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, located at 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. If settlement negotiations fail and litigation becomes necessary, your attorney will file your complaint at this courthouse and attend hearings, motion practice, and trial there.

The city's major transportation corridors—Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway), Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway), State Route 91 (Artesia Freeway), Pacific Coast Highway, Atlantic Avenue, and Ocean Boulevard—are among the most congested in Southern California. High traffic volumes, frequent lane changes, distracted driving, and variable weather conditions contribute to a significant number of collisions each year. Understanding the local geography and traffic patterns can help your attorney reconstruct the accident, identify contributing factors, and build a persuasive case.

MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, located at 2801 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806, is the nearest designated Level II trauma center. If you or a passenger sustained serious injuries in a crash, this facility offers advanced emergency and trauma care. Medical records from MemorialCare or any other treating facility become central evidence in your claim, documenting the nature and severity of your injuries and the causal relationship to the collision.

Knowing the local legal landscape, the medical resources available, and the procedural requirements of the Los Angeles Superior Court allows your attorney to manage your case efficiently and advocate effectively on your behalf.

Consult an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. You may be dealing with injuries, vehicle repairs, missed work, and mounting bills while trying to navigate insurance claims and legal deadlines. An experienced attorney handles the legal and administrative burdens so you can focus on recovery. Your lawyer will investigate the accident, gather evidence, consult with medical and accident reconstruction experts, negotiate with insurers, and if necessary, file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.

California law allows recovery of economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving extreme misconduct—such as driving under the influence—punitive damages may be available under Civil Code section 3294, which authorizes such awards when the defendant's conduct involved malice, oppression, or fraud. An attorney evaluates all potential sources of recovery and pursues every available avenue of compensation.

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless and until you recover compensation. This arrangement allows injured parties to obtain experienced legal representation without upfront costs. During your initial consultation, your attorney will review the facts of your case, explain your rights, discuss the likely range of outcomes, and answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to call the police after every car accident in Long Beach?

California law does not require a police report for every minor collision, but it is highly advisable. If anyone is injured, if vehicles are blocking traffic, or if you suspect the other driver is impaired, call 911 immediately. A police report provides an official, contemporaneous account of the accident and often includes the officer's assessment of fault. Even in minor collisions, obtaining a report can prevent disputes later about what happened and who was responsible.

What if the other driver does not have insurance?

Uninsured drivers are unfortunately common in California. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may provide compensation for your injuries. California insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage, and it can only be waived in writing. Review your policy or consult an attorney to determine whether you have this important protection and how to file a claim under it.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident in Long Beach?

Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the collision involved a government entity—such as a city bus or a dangerous road condition—you must first file an administrative claim within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to compensation entirely, so it is important to consult an attorney promptly.

Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?

In most cases, no. Early settlement offers are typically far below the true value of your claim and are designed to close the case before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and future needs. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim. Consult an experienced car accident attorney before accepting any offer or signing any document from an insurance company.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you may recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the collision. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you may recover $80,000. An attorney can help gather evidence, challenge unfair fault attributions, and maximize your recovery.

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