When clients are hurt in a car accident at a gas station, our office will recommend steps to protect their injury claim.

1. Talk to the manager or person in charge. For example, if you fell, or were struck in a collision, the best thing you can do at a gas station is remain at the premises till you can get an accident report or police report. Tell the office, store manager, or employee what happened. (Ex: what led up to your slip, trip, or fall injury) Show them the problem as soon as possible. Get their names in case they can help solve your case while also protecting themselves from getting sued. Evidence of jurisdiction, times, services, or the patron’s circumstances improves the settlement process on your behalf for the lawyer handling your case.
2. Request an incident report: The gas station should have safety policies and procedures to handle preventable customer injuries. If you were hurt or not, ask the store attendant for assistance. Ask them to fill out an incident report. Videotape the person writing down the information. In addition, request a copy of all written incident reports be reproduced and forwarded over immediately.
3. Take Pictures: Your best course of action, when faced with an accident at a gas station, is to take plenty of photos of debris, impact, and tire marks and gather the names, contact information, and social media profiles for any witnesses.
4. Call 911: After car accidents, get a police report if possible. If you need emergency medical care, ask for fire rescue or an ambulance. Insurance companies always ask how long it took the “allegedly” injured claimant to see a doctor. Adjusters will question your injuries and damages unless treated immediately. This is one of the ways they escape paying damages. Sometimes a plaintiff is more seriously injured than believed. Getting medical care and treatment documents everything. The case result for patrons may be a higher settlement or jury verdict amount.
5. Create a checklist: Include these five questions as a checklist – Who was involved? What happened? Where did it happen? When did it happen, and why did it happen? If witnesses exist, try and get their names and phone numbers. Ask for a witness’s phone number and name. You could even text them your name. Friends and family can help, but independent, impartial observers can maintain objectivity.
6. Identify surveillance cameras. Almost all gas stations and convenience stores have on-site surveillance cameras. Their goal is to prevent shoplifting and document criminal acts. Injured victims may benefit from this type of case footage by following up with the store owner or insurance company, or it may be destroyed. Your attorney can mail each defendant a letter requesting the preservation of evidence by anyone involved.
7. Preserve financial loss bills: Collecting proof of harm isn’t easy. Save any medical bill, lost time receipt, and worker’s comp documentation. Organize your paperwork right to make it easier to level the playing field.
8. Contact fall attorneys experienced in CA Law: When an insurance policy is at risk, professionals typically defend the gas station, owner, or operator. This firm will defend if someone gets injured at the insured’s gas station or convenience store localities. In order to protect your rights, you’d be wise to contact our personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles. Make an appointment for potential court case representation. Your lawyer will want you to document any change in your life, typically by journaling in a book or kindle.

All of this is potential evidence that can help you and our law offices establish legal liability later on down the road. Don’t wait to get help, as evidence will disappear and witnesses can even die. If you want to get properly compensated, you must act quickly. Never deal with an insurance company or defense attorney alone. Never let them obtain your statement without your lawyer present.