What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting into a car accident is one of those moments where everything moves fast and slow at the same time. Your heart is pounding, your hands are shaking, and your mind is racing through a hundred thoughts at once. I have seen thousands of people walk through the doors of our shop on La Cienega Boulevard in that exact state — overwhelmed, confused, and unsure what to do next.
After running MLUX Auto Body in Los Angeles for years and helping thousands of collision repair customers, I have put together the exact step-by-step process you should follow after an accident in LA. This is the same advice I give my own family.
Step 1: Stop, Breathe, and Check for Injuries
The very first thing — before you think about your car, your insurance, or whose fault it was — is to check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not move anyone who appears to have a neck or back injury unless there is an immediate danger like fire.
If the accident is minor and everyone seems okay, take a deep breath. You have time. Nothing about your car is more important than your health
One thing I tell every customer: even if you feel fine at the scene, adrenaline can mask injuries. Whiplash, soft tissue damage, and concussions often do not show symptoms for 24 to 72 hours. Get checked out by a doctor within a day or two regardless.
Step 2: Move to Safety and Secure the Scene
Los Angeles traffic does not stop for anyone. If your car is drivable and the accident is minor, California law actually requires you to move your vehicle out of the traffic lanes when possible.
Pull over to the shoulder, a parking lot, or a side street. Turn on your hazard lights. If you have flares or reflective triangles, use them — especially on the 405, the 10, or the 101 where speeds are high and visibility can be low.
If your car is not drivable, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives. Standing on the side of an LA freeway is extremely dangerous, especially at night.
Step 3: Call the Police and File a Report
In Los Angeles, you should always call the police after an accident, even for minor fender benders. Here is why:
An official police report creates a neutral third-party record of what happened. Without it, the other driver's story can change, witnesses can disappear, and your insurance claim becomes your word against theirs
For LAPD, the non-emergency number is (877) 275-5273. For emergencies, call 911. If you are in an unincorporated area or another city within LA County, you may be dealing with the LA County Sheriff or a local police department.
When the officer arrives, give an honest account of what happened. Do not admit fault or speculate about causes. Stick to the facts.
Pro tip: ask the officer for the report number before they leave. You will need it for your insurance claim. LAPD reports typically become available online at the LAPD website within 7 to 10 business days.
Step 4: Document Everything at the Scene
Your smartphone is your best friend right now. Take photos and videos of:
- All vehicles involved from multiple angles
- Close-ups of all damage on every vehicle
- The surrounding area including traffic signs, signals, and road conditions
- Skid marks, debris, or anything relevant on the road
- License plates of all vehicles involved
- The other driver's insurance card and driver's license
- Any visible injuries
Also write down or voice-record these details while your memory is fresh
- Exact location (cross streets or address)
- Time of the accident
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Direction each car was traveling
- What happened in your own words
Exchange information with the other driver: name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, and driver's license number. Be polite but do not discuss fault, do not apologize (it can be used against you), and do not agree to skip reporting the accident.
If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. Witnesses can make or break a claim.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Most major insurers have 24/7 claim lines
- State Farm: (800) 732-5246
- Allstate: (800) 255-7828
- Geico: (800) 841-3000
- Farmers: (800) 435-7764
When you file the claim, have your police report number, the other driver's insurance info, and your photos ready. Be honest and factual. Do not guess about things you are unsure of.
Important: if the other driver was at fault, you can file a claim through their insurance (called a third-party claim) or through your own (first-party claim using your collision coverage). Filing through your own insurance is often faster because your insurer works for you. They will pursue the other driver's insurance to get your deductible back later through subrogation.
Step 6: Choose Your Own Body Shop (Yes, You Can)
This is the single biggest thing most people in Los Angeles do not know: you have the legal right to choose any body shop you want for your collision repair. Your insurance company cannot force you to use one of their "preferred" or DRP shops.
California Insurance Code Section 758.5 is crystal clear on this. Your insurer can recommend shops, but the choice is yours.
Why does this matter? Because DRP (Direct Repair Program) shops have agreements with insurance companies that can create conflicts of interest. The shop may be incentivized to keep repair costs low — which does not always mean they are keeping repair quality high.
When choosing a body shop, look for:
- I-CAR Gold Class certification (only about 10 percent of shops nationwide have this)
- Manufacturer certifications for your vehicle brand (especially important for Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, and other luxury brands)
- A strong track record of reviews (check Google, Yelp, and the BBB)
- Willingness to work directly with your insurance company on your behalf
- A lifetime warranty on their work
At MLUX Auto Body, we work with every major insurance carrier — State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Farmers, and more — and we handle all the claim paperwork so you do not have to. Our shop carries a 4.8 out of 5 star rating and we specialize in luxury and high-end collision repair, though we work on all makes and models.
Step 7: Understand the Repair Estimate Process
Once you choose a shop, the repair process typically works like this:
First, the shop writes a preliminary estimate based on visible damage. Then your insurance adjuster reviews and approves it. But here is the thing — the initial estimate almost never captures everything. Once the car is disassembled and the technicians can see hidden damage behind panels, bumpers, and structural components, a supplement is written.
Supplements are completely normal. A good body shop will document every piece of hidden damage with photos and fight for full approval from your insurance company. A bad shop will cut corners to avoid the supplement process.
Ask your shop: "Do you handle supplements directly with the insurance company?" If the answer is anything other than an enthusiastic yes, keep looking.
Typical collision repair timelines in Los Angeles:
- Minor damage (bumper, fender): 3 to 5 business days
- Moderate damage (multiple panels, paint): 1 to 2 weeks
- Major structural damage: 2 to 4 weeks or more
- Parts availability for luxury or specialty vehicles can add time
Step 8: Know Your Rights During the Repair
While your car is being repaired, you have several rights under California law that many people do not know about:
Rental car coverage: if you have rental reimbursement on your policy (or the other driver was at fault), you are entitled to a rental car for the duration of the repair. Make sure your shop communicates the repair timeline to the rental company.
OEM parts: you can request Original Equipment Manufacturer parts instead of aftermarket parts. Insurance companies often default to aftermarket parts to save money, but OEM parts are made by the vehicle manufacturer to exact specifications. This matters especially for safety components, structural parts, and luxury vehicles.
Diminished value: after a collision repair, your car is worth less than an identical car that was never in an accident — even if the repair is perfect. In California, you can file a diminished value claim against the at-fault driver's insurance. This is money most people leave on the table.
Supplement approval: your shop should never ask you to pay out of pocket for repairs that should be covered by insurance. A reputable shop will negotiate directly with the insurer.
Step 9: Get Your Car Back and Inspect It
When your car is ready, do not just grab the keys and go. Take 15 minutes to carefully inspect the work:
- Check all repaired panels for color match (look at the car in direct sunlight, not under shop lighting)
- Open and close all doors, hood, and trunk — they should operate smoothly with consistent gaps
- Check that all lights, sensors, and electronics work properly
- Look at the paint finish for any orange peel, runs, or dust inclusions
- Ask about any parts that were replaced and whether they were OEM or aftermarket
- Get a copy of all repair documentation
A good body shop will walk you through everything and stand behind their work with a written warranty. At MLUX Auto Body, we offer a lifetime warranty on all our collision repair work.
What to Do If You Are Hit by an Uninsured Driver in LA
Los Angeles has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country — estimates range from 15 to 20 percent. If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver:
Your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in. This is exactly why insurance agents recommend carrying UM/UIM coverage in California.
If you do not have UM/UIM coverage, you may need to pursue the other driver directly through small claims court (up to $10,000) or civil court. An attorney consultation is usually free and worth getting.
Most Dangerous Intersections and Freeways in Los Angeles
Knowing where accidents happen most can help you stay alert. Some of the highest-accident areas in LA include:
- The 405/101 interchange in Sherman Oaks
- The 110/105 interchange (the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange)
- Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue
- La Brea Avenue and Slauson Avenue
- The 10 Freeway through downtown
These areas see disproportionate accident volumes due to high traffic density, confusing lane merges, and aggressive driving patterns. Stay extra alert in these zones, especially during rush hour from 7 to 10 AM and 4 to 7 PM.
The Bottom Line
Nobody plans to get into a car accident, but having a plan for when it happens makes all the difference. Follow these steps, know your rights, and choose a body shop that actually fights for you — not one that makes things easy for the insurance company.
If you have been in an accident in Los Angeles and need help, give us a call at (323) 766-6433 or stop by MLUX Auto Body at 1919 South La Cienega Boulevard. We handle everything from filing the claim to delivering your car back in perfect condition — and we do not charge you a dime beyond what your insurance covers.
You have been through enough. Let us handle the rest.
About the Author: Marius Baiesc is the owner of MLUX Auto Body, a 4.8-star rated collision repair facility in Los Angeles specializing in luxury and high-end vehicle repair. MLUX works with all major insurance carriers including State Farm, Allstate, Geico, and Farmers.
