Feb 26, 2026 - Blogs by Sky Law Group
Car accidents happen fast, but the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days afterward can determine whether you recover full compensation for your injuries — or walk away with nothing. If you have been in a car accident anywhere in Orange County, this guide walks you through every critical step to protect your health, your rights, and your personal injury claim.
At Sky Law Group, our Orange County car accident lawyers have helped hundreds of accident victims navigate the confusing aftermath of a crash. Whether your accident happened on the I-5 in Anaheim, along the SR-55 in Irvine, or on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, the steps below apply to every collision in California.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your safety comes first. After any car accident in Orange County, immediately check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding.
Call 911 right away. In California, you are legally required to report any accident that results in injury or death (California Vehicle Code § 20008). The responding officer will create a police report — a critical piece of evidence for your personal injury claim. If your accident occurred in Santa Ana, the Santa Ana Police Department will respond. In Costa Mesa, the Costa Mesa PD handles accident reports. Make sure you get the report number before leaving the scene.
Step 2: Move to Safety (If Possible)
If your vehicle is drivable and it is safe to do so, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to avoid causing additional accidents. Orange County freeways like the I-405, SR-91, and SR-22 see high-speed traffic even during off-peak hours. Secondary accidents caused by stopped vehicles on these freeways are alarmingly common.
Turn on your hazard lights and set up flares or reflective triangles if you have them. If your accident happened on a surface street in Garden Grove, Westminster, or Fullerton, try to move to a safe area away from traffic.
Step 3: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
California law requires all drivers involved in an accident to exchange the following information:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate number
Be polite but careful with your words. Do not admit fault, apologize, or say “I’m sorry” — even as a courtesy. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys can use any admission against you later. Stick to the facts and let the evidence speak.
Step 4: Document Everything at the Scene
Your smartphone is your best friend at an accident scene. Take photos and videos of:
- All vehicle damage from multiple angles
- The overall accident scene, including traffic signals, stop signs, and lane markings
- Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Your visible injuries (cuts, bruises, swelling)
- The other driver’s license plate and insurance card
- Street names, intersections, and landmarks
If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witness testimony can be decisive in disputed-fault accidents, especially at busy intersections in cities like Tustin and Yorba Linda where turning-movement accidents are common.
Step 5: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
This is the single most important step for both your health and your legal claim. See a doctor within 24 to 72 hours of your accident — even if you feel fine.
Many car accident injuries do not show symptoms right away. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash can take days to develop. Traumatic brain injuries may present as mild headaches at first but worsen over time. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if left undiagnosed.
From a legal perspective, insurance companies routinely argue that if you did not seek immediate medical treatment, your injuries must not be serious. A gap in medical treatment gives them ammunition to reduce or deny your claim entirely.
Orange County has excellent trauma centers and emergency rooms, including UCI Medical Center in Orange, Hoag Hospital in Irvine, and Huntington Beach Hospital. Go to the nearest ER if you have any symptoms at all.
Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible. California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages. However, you should still notify your own insurer to comply with your policy terms.
Important: do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim. Anything you say can be used against you.
Step 7: Do NOT Accept a Quick Settlement Offer
Within days of your accident, you may receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company offering you a “quick settlement.” This offer will almost always be far less than your claim is actually worth.
Insurance companies know that accident victims are stressed, in pain, and worried about medical bills. They use early lowball offers to close claims before victims understand the full extent of their injuries. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot go back and ask for more money — even if your injuries turn out to be far worse than initially thought.
Step 8: Contact an Experienced Orange County Car Accident Lawyer
The single best thing you can do to protect your claim is to consult with a personal injury attorney who knows Orange County courts, insurance tactics, and California personal injury law.
An experienced car accident lawyer will:
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence
- Handle all communication with insurance companies
- Calculate the true value of your claim, including future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay what you deserve
At Sky Law Group, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (844) 475-9529 today.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Orange County
Orange County’s mix of high-speed freeways and congested surface streets produces a wide range of accident injuries. The most common injuries our attorneys see include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries — Caused by the sudden back-and-forth motion of rear-end collisions, extremely common on stop-and-go freeways like the I-405 and SR-91.
- Back and spinal cord injuries — Herniated discs, spinal fractures, and even paralysis can result from high-speed freeway collisions.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — Even “mild” concussions can cause lasting cognitive problems, memory issues, and mood changes.
- Broken bones — Arms, legs, ribs, and pelvic fractures are common in T-bone and head-on collisions.
- Internal organ damage — Seatbelt compression and steering wheel impact can cause internal bleeding that requires emergency surgery.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in California?
California’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If you are filing a claim against a government entity — for example, if a dangerous road condition contributed to your accident — you must file an administrative claim within six months.
While two years may sound like a long time, evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance camera footage is overwritten, witnesses forget details, and skid marks fade. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.
Sky Law Group Serves All of Orange County
No matter where in Orange County your accident occurred, Sky Law Group is ready to fight for you. We represent car accident victims in Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Westminster, Tustin, Yorba Linda, and throughout the region.
Our office is located at 303 W. Katella Ave., Suite 301, Orange, CA 92867. We are centrally located and just minutes from every major Orange County city.
Free consultation. No fees unless we win. Call (844) 475-9529 today.
Read more: The 5 Most Dangerous Orange County Cities for Drivers in 2026