When you’ve been in a car accident, you can expect many changes. First and foremost, you will likely experience physical challenges thanks to any injuries you may suffer. Also, you will likely have to deal with changes in your emotional and psychological well-being because of the trauma of the accident.
These changes are certainly at the forefront of any car accident, but there is another challenge that a car accident brings: going on your driving record. Your driving record not only contains vital information like your name and license status, but it also is a way for the authorities to document any accidents you’ve been in. Nobody wants to get into a car accident, but if you do, you can expect it to go on your driving record. And if you cause enough car accidents, you may find yourself without a license
Maison Law Works With California Car Accident Victims
Being in a car accident is extremely unfortunate, and the impact it can have on your ability to legally drive in the future is significant. When you find yourself with questions about your driving record and how a car accident will impact it, you can turn to the experienced and knowledgeable California car accident lawyers at Maison Law.
Our team has a wealth of knowledge regarding California law and how your driving record changes when you’re in an accident. To schedule your free consultation with our office, contact us today.
How Long Does a Car Accident Stay On My Driving Record?
When you’re in a car accident, the authorities are required to file a report of any damage, as well as to document the information of you and any other driver that’s involved. The accident also goes on your driving record, but the amount of time varies from state to state. In California, accidents stay on your driving record for three years, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Some states may keep a record of the accident on file for longer periods of time, while others may only keep the record for a shorter period. It’s important to note that even if the accident is no longer on your driving record, it may still be used to determine your insurance rates and can be considered in future court proceedings, especially if the accident involved drunk driving or some other type of illegal activity.
What Causes Car Accidents in California?
You can’t always avoid a car accident. Sometimes, you may not even see it coming. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t common causes of the thousands of car accidents that happen every year in California.
The fact is, most car accidents have very similar patterns and are caused by any number of negligent actions by drivers. These typically include:
- Distracted driving or texting while driving.
- Failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.
- Turning at intersections without looking both ways.
- Driving too fast or recklessly, making it impossible to stop on time.
- Not following posted speed limits.
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs.
- Design defects in intersection locations, including failure to consider flows of traffic.
Additionally, California has a huge population centered in areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco. In these more densely populated and busier areas, car accidents are more common due to the simple fact that there are more drivers on the road. Conversely, more rural areas like northern California experience their share of car accidents due to higher speeds of traffic and lower visibility.
What To Do After a Car Accident Happens in California
A car accident is not only stressful but also extremely traumatic in some cases. This is especially true if you or a loved one have been seriously injured. While it is a difficult thing to process, there are still steps that you can take in the immediate aftermath of a car accident to make sure you are safe and the proper attention can be paid to any injury victims.
- Make sure everyone is okay – The first thing that you should do after an accident is to check yourself and any other passengers for injuries. If you’re able to, move everyone to safety by moving your car out of the way of any traffic and then calling 911 so they can respond with an ambulance. It’s also important to follow up with a doctor in the days after, as sometimes the adrenaline right after the accident masks injuries.
- Exchange information – Part of the car accident process involves getting information from the other driver. You’ll want to get their name, address, phone number, and insurance information should you make a claim for damages. Also, document the make, model and color of their car in case you can’t get any other identifying information.
- Document evidence – Taking pictures and videos of the accident scene is an important step to documenting any damage to your vehicle and the surrounding area. Doing so right after the accident also preserves the condition of your vehicle, in case the insurance company tries to come back at you and say that your vehicle’s damage wasn’t the result of the accident.
- Contact your insurance company – Finally, contacting your insurance company and informing them of the accident will allow the claims process to get started. It’s important not to admit fault or apologize to the other driver(s) involved, as their insurance company will try to use that to devalue your potential claim.
Work With Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers
More than anything, our experienced and dedicated California car accident lawyers at Maison Law take pride in their ability to provide not only legal support to our clients but validation. Going up against an insurance company after a car accident to try and recover the benefits and support you need to recover takes courage. That’s why Maison Law has developed a client-specific approach to each case, with their satisfaction being our number one goal.
If you have been in a car accident in California and would like to learn more about your options, contact us today for a free consultation.
