What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Move to Safety

Your first priority is always human safety. Check yourself and every passenger for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. If your vehicle is driveable and blocking traffic, California law encourages you to move it to the shoulder or a safe spot to avoid secondary collisions. Turn on your hazard lights and, if you have them, set out warning triangles or flares.

Step 2: Call the Police and File a Report

In California, you must report any accident that causes injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Even for minor collisions, a police report creates an official record that your insurance company will want. The responding officer will document the scene, exchange information, and assign a report number you'll reference for weeks.

Step 3: Gather Information and Document the Scene

While you wait, collect and record everything. The more evidence you capture now, the smoother your claim will go.

• Other driver's name, contact, license number, and insurance details
• Vehicle makes, models, years, and license plates of all cars involved
• Names and contact info of any passengers and witnesses
• Exact location, time, and weather/road conditions
• Photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, skid marks, and the surrounding street
• Photos of the other driver's insurance card and registration

Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurer as soon as possible — many policies require prompt reporting. Provide the facts and your police report number. Remember: under California Insurance Code §758.5, you have the absolute right to choose your own repair shop. Your insurer cannot legally steer you to a specific body shop, and they must disclose in writing if they intend to use non-OEM (aftermarket) parts.

Step 5: Arrange Towing if Your Vehicle Isn't Driveable

If your car cannot be safely driven, request a flatbed tow to the nearest certified collision center. Flatbeds prevent further drivetrain and wheel damage. Network Auto Body offers 24/7 flatbed towing dispatch across Los Angeles and Ventura County, with secure monitored storage while your claim is processed.

Step 6: Choose an OEM-Certified Body Shop

Not all body shops are equal. Choose an I-CAR Gold Class certified facility that uses genuine OEM parts and follows manufacturer repair procedures. This preserves your factory warranty, safety systems (including ADAS sensors), and resale value. Network Auto Body's 5 SoCal locations all meet these standards and back every repair with a written lifetime warranty.

Step 7: Get a Free Estimate and Approve the Repair Plan

Bring your vehicle in for a free walk-in estimate, or submit photos online for a digital estimate. A proper estimate includes a blueprint teardown to uncover hidden damage. Once your insurer approves the repair plan and OEM parts, work begins — and you should receive live status updates throughout.