With California recording 4,061 traffic deaths in 2023—including 1,106 pedestrians and 583 motorcyclists—according to the California Office of Traffic Safety, personal injury firm Capitol City Legal Group has published a set of recommended actions for drivers involved in collisions. The Roseville- and Sacramento-based firm, also known as Yurtsan Law Firm, P.C., says the steps are designed to safeguard both a person's recovery and any subsequent insurance claim.
"Most people have never been in a serious crash, and nobody hands them a checklist when it happens," said Andrey R. Yurtsan, CEO and principal attorney of Capitol City Legal Group. "What you do in that first week can make a real difference in how your case turns out."
The firm's guidance begins at the scene: stop, check for injuries, and call 911. California law requires drivers involved in an injury crash to stop, exchange information, and assist anyone hurt. A police report also creates an official record of the incident. The firm stresses that medical care should follow immediately, even if no symptoms are apparent. Head, neck, and back injuries—including traumatic brain injuries—may not surface right away, and a same-day or next-day doctor visit both protects health and links the injury to the crash.
Drivers are also advised to photograph vehicles, the road, and visible injuries; collect the other driver's name, license, plate number, and insurance details; and gather witness contact information. Separately, California Vehicle Code Section 16000 requires a crash report to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed or if property damage exceeds $1,000. This obligation is distinct from any police report.
When dealing with insurance adjusters, the firm cautions that the other driver's insurer may call quickly and request a recorded statement. There is no obligation to provide one, and early settlement offers often arrive before an injured person understands the full extent of their injuries. The firm also highlights critical deadlines: most personal injury lawsuits in California must be filed within two years, while claims against a city, county, or state agency—such as for a dangerous road condition—generally require a government claim within six months.
Partial fault does not necessarily bar recovery. California's pure comparative fault rule allows a person who was partly to blame to still recover damages, reduced by their share of fault. "Call a lawyer before you sign anything or give a recorded statement," Yurtsan said. "A free consultation costs you nothing, and you'll know your options before the insurance company makes its first offer."
Yurtsan has practiced personal injury law for more than a decade and is admitted before all California courts. He served as a managing attorney at a personal injury firm from 2011 to 2022 and focuses on serious injury cases involving spinal injuries, fractures, brain injuries, and wrongful death. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Additional details about his background are available on the firm's Andrey R. Yurtsan profile page.
The firm represents clients injured in Roseville car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck accidents, and other personal injury matters across Placer and Sacramento counties. Its past results include a $1 million settlement for a trip-and-fall injury in a Sacramento County park and a $650,000 verdict in a pedestrian case, though past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. For readers, the announcement serves as a reminder that prompt documentation, medical care, and awareness of legal deadlines can materially affect both health outcomes and financial recovery after a crash.
