What to Do After a Car Accident in LA — Step-by-Step Guide

Right After the Accident: Safety First

If you've just been in a car accident in Los Angeles, take a breath. The next 30 minutes matter more than you think, and most people get them wrong because adrenaline is running the show.

First priority: check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not move injured people unless there's an immediate danger like fire. If the vehicles are driveable and it's safe to do so, move them out of traffic lanes — LA drivers aren't known for patience, and secondary accidents at collision scenes are more common than you'd think, especially on the 405 or the 10.

Turn on your hazard lights. If you have flares or reflective triangles, set them up. If it's nighttime on a surface street — PCH, La Cienega, Wilshire — visibility matters. Stay out of active traffic lanes while you handle everything else.

Call the Police and File a Report

In Los Angeles, you should always call LAPD or CHP to file a police report, even for minor accidents. Call the LAPD non-emergency line at (877) 275-5273 if there are no injuries, or 911 if there are. If you're on a freeway, CHP handles the report.

A police report creates an official record of the accident — who was involved, the officer's assessment of fault, witness statements, and the scene conditions. This document is critical for your insurance claim. Without it, the claims process becomes a he-said-she-said situation that usually works against you.

While you wait for the officer, start documenting everything yourself. But don't discuss fault with the other driver. Don't apologize. Don't say 'I didn't see you' or 'I should have been paying more attention.' Anything you say can be used against you during the claims process. Be polite, exchange information, and keep it factual.

Exchange Information and Document Everything

Exchange the following with the other driver: full name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, license plate number, and the make/model/color of their vehicle. If there are passengers, get their names too.

Then photograph everything. I mean everything. Take wide shots of the full accident scene showing both vehicles and the intersection or road. Take close-ups of all damage on both cars. Photograph license plates, the other driver's insurance card, their driver's license, and any skid marks or debris on the road. Take photos of traffic signals, stop signs, and street signs. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers.

Modern smartphones timestamp and geotag photos automatically — this metadata becomes evidence. Take at least 20–30 photos from different angles. You can never have too many. You can always delete extras later, but you can't go back to the scene and re-photograph damage that's already been repaired.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Even if the other driver was at fault and you plan to file against their insurance, notify your own carrier. Most policies require prompt reporting, and failing to do so can complicate your claim.

When you call, stick to the facts: date, time, location, what happened, the other driver's information, and the police report number. Don't speculate about fault. Don't give a recorded statement without understanding your rights. If the insurer asks for a recorded statement, you can say you'd like to provide one after you've had a chance to review the police report.

If the other driver was at fault, you have two options: file a claim against their insurance (third-party claim) or file against your own collision coverage and let your insurer subrogate. Filing against the at-fault party's insurance means you don't pay a deductible, but it can be slower. Filing on your own policy is usually faster, but you pay your deductible upfront and get reimbursed later when subrogation succeeds.

Choose YOUR Body Shop — Not the Insurance Company's

This is the step where most people in LA make the biggest mistake: they let their insurance company pick the body shop. The adjuster says, 'We have a preferred shop on Pico' or 'We can have you into our DRP shop in Culver City by tomorrow.' It sounds convenient. But here's what's actually happening.

Direct Repair Program (DRP) shops have agreements with insurance companies. In exchange for a steady stream of referrals, they agree to use the insurer's pricing, parts guidelines, and repair procedures. That often means aftermarket parts, shorter repair times, and cost-cutting measures that benefit the insurer — not you.

California law is clear: you have the absolute right to choose your own repair facility (Insurance Code Section 758.5). The insurer cannot require you to use their shop. They cannot refuse to pay a fair repair price at your chosen shop. They can send an adjuster to inspect and write their own estimate, but the shop you choose is your decision.

At MLUX Auto Body, we're independent. We don't answer to any insurance company. We write estimates based on what the car actually needs, using OEM parts and manufacturer repair procedures. We fight for the proper repair — not the cheapest one. That's the difference between a shop that works for you and a shop that works for your insurer.

Get Your Estimate at MLUX

Once you've handled the immediate aftermath, documented everything, and notified your insurance company, it's time to get a repair estimate. At MLUX, we make this easy with two options.

Option one: use our free AI-powered estimate tool at mlux.io. Upload photos of your damage and get a preliminary repair estimate in minutes. This gives you a ballpark before you even bring the car in, which is helpful for understanding the scope of the repair and setting expectations with your insurer.

Option two: bring the car to our shop at 1919 S La Cienega Blvd in Los Angeles (right off the 10 freeway near La Cienega and Washington). We'll do a full hands-on inspection, write a detailed estimate, and walk you through the repair plan. If you can't drive the car, we offer free towing from anywhere in LA County.

We also offer deductible assistance up to $1,000, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. This isn't a gimmick — it's our way of making sure cost isn't a barrier to getting your car fixed properly. Call us at (323) 800-1007 or visit mlux.io to get started.