After an accident, when it’s safe to do so, you should move your car off to the side of the road out of the way of oncoming traffic. By moving your car aside, you are protecting yourself from further damage and also in a designated spot where the police can find you easily.
At Simmrin Law Group, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers understand how difficult it can be to go through the legal process, and we’re here to help. Read on to learn where to move your car after an accident and how our team can help you.
Where Should You Move Your Car After an Accident?
The safest place to move your car after you get into an accident depends on the location of your accident. Some of the most common places for accidents and where to move your car include:
- On the road or highway: Pull over to the shoulder or emergency lane if it’s safe to do so. This keeps traffic flowing and prevents further crashes.
- In a parking lot: Move to an open spot if possible so the area is clear for others. Avoid blocking traffic flows or aisles.
- Intersection: Only move as far out of the intersection as you safely can to let other cars pass through. Don’t obstruct cross traffic.
- Residential street: Pull over to the side if the room allows; otherwise, find the nearest safe spot to park off the road if it is drivable.
- Construction zone: Do not obstruct workers or heavy equipment. Relocate near flaggers or to a signed parking area if one is available.
- Bridge or tunnel: Get the vehicle out of travel lanes and park on the shoulder at the nearest opening or exit.
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What Precautions Should You Take When Moving a Car After an Accident?
Moving your car after getting into an accident can seem almost as scary as the accident. But there are precautions our Los Angeles car accident attorney suggests that can make the task safer and less stressful, such as:
Check for Injuries
Before attempting to drive after an accident, take several minutes to thoroughly examine yourself and any passengers for any signs of injury. Check for possible symptoms of concussion, like headaches, dizziness, or confusion.
Look for lacerations, bruising, swelling, broken or dislocated bones. Moving a vehicle requires concentration that unseen internal injuries may impair.
Do not try to drive if you feel severe pain anywhere or suspect potential neck or back issues, as movement could worsen injuries. Your safety and health take top priority over traffic concerns.
Use Hazards and Be Careful
If, after self-assessment, you feel it is safe to relocate the vehicle, turn on your four-way hazard lights before starting the engine. The flashing lights serve as a warning to surrounding traffic that an accident may be partially blocking the roadway ahead.
Drive extremely slow, following all traffic laws like speed limits. Avoid any sudden movements that could exacerbate car problems.
Watch closely for any debris, fluids, or other hazards spilled onto the road surface that could blow out tires or impact steering if run over. Relocate only as far as the nearest completely safe stopping point where you are fully out of active traffic lanes.
Have Someone Help You
If there is an uninjured passenger who can assist, ask them to carefully get out and help direct other vehicles around your car while maneuvers are performed after an accident. Having an extra eye watching for oncoming traffic or obstacles can help prevent secondary collisions that occur when motorists are distracted by repositioning vehicles.
The helper should use clear hand signals or a traffic safety vest, if available, to communicate with drivers passing the scene. Only relocate once it is fully clear in all directions. Having an extra observer promotes safety for everyone involved or passing by.
Does Where You Move Your Car Affect Who Is at Fault?
In most cases, where you choose to reposition your vehicle after an accident will not impact the final determination of fault by the insurance companies or courts. The primary factor in assigning responsibility will be an analysis of the circumstances that directly caused the initial collision. Things like traffic controls, right-of-way rules, lane position, speed, and witness statements are what liability decisions are based on.
However, in some very rare and specific situations, how far or where a driver relocates their car could raise questions from the other party’s insurance that seeks to shift some blame. For example, if you left the crash scene and hid evidence, it may allow the at-fault party to introduce some doubt.
Our Los Angeles car accident lawyer at Simmrin Law Group can help defend against spurious claims, attempting to assign part of the liability to where a vehicle was moved after an accident. We understand traffic laws and are able to argue persuasively why post-accident repositioning does not truly impact the facts that led to the initial impact. We can emphasize safety reasons for any relocation.
When Should You Not Move Your Car After an Accident?
While it is generally best to relocate your vehicle out of active traffic after an accident when possible, there are some situations when it is not advised to move the car, like:
- If moving the vehicle would endanger your safety or the safety of others due to any injuries suffered or hazardous road conditions.
- Moving the car may destroy or alter important evidence needed to determine the cause of the accident or liability claims. This includes things like skid marks, vehicle positions, and debris fields.
- If your airbags are deployed, or the vehicle is unable to drive due to major mechanical damage from the crash safely. Attempting to operate in this state could result in a breakdown or secondary collision.
- If a person involved in the accident needs medical attention immediately, the priority should be attending to injuries rather than repositioning cars.
- If authorities such as police have advised participants not to disturb the accident scene until they have arrived to investigate and collect information.
In any of these scenarios, it is best to wait for emergency responders to arrive before attempting to maneuver vehicles after a collision occurs. Scene preservation and safety should come before convenience.
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Learn More About Moving Your Car After an Accident in Los Angeles
At Simmrin Law Group, our car accident attorneys in Los Angeles can help you know what to do in the aftermath of a car accident. If you’ve suffered injuries and losses in a car accident, we can help you recover compensation and get justice for your pain.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you and get a free case consultation.
Call or text (626) 709-2523 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form