A driver was killed in a two-car accident in Long Beach on the 405 Freeway on Sunday.
The accident happened at 12:15 a.m. on the northbound 405, approaching Cherry Ave. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a 1990 Honda attempted to exit the 405 Freeway at Cherry when he drove onto the curb of the raised median separating the Cherry exit lane from the four northbound through lanes. The Honda driver then lost control, swerved left towards the center of the freeway, and struck the center median wall. When the Honda came to rest, it was struck by a 2013 Toyota.
The driver of the Honda, a 27-year-old male from Bell Gardens, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. According to the CHP, the driver of the Toyota, a 25-year-old from Duarte, was not injured.
When a Driver Reports “No Injuries” to an Officer at the Scene of an Accident
It is not unusual for a driver at the scene of an accident, in response to questioning by a police officer, to decline ambulance transport and report no injuries, only later to realize they were injured.
At the scene of a crash, a driver may be “in shock,” shaken up, with adrenaline pumping. Their immediate concern may be their car: is it totaled? Is it drivable? Will they have to incur a towing bill? Who’s insurance should they go through – theirs or the other driver's?
The shock and sudden nature of the accident and concerns about their car and who was at fault can consume a driver’s focus, distracting a driver from aches and pains in their body.
Oftentimes, not until a driver gets home, and and begins to relax, does the driver realize that he or she was in fact injured in the accident.
See a Doctor as soon as possible to Protect your Injury Claim
The longer a driver waits to see a doctor after a car accident, the more difficult it will be for that driver to pursue an injury claim. That is because any delay in seeking treatment will be used against the driver by the auto insurance carrier as evidence that no injuries were suffered, or that any injuries suffered were only minor at best.
Accident victims need to understand that an auto insurance company’s only goal is to pay out as little as possible to injury claimants. Towards that end, the adjuster will use everything he or she can against the injury victim to defeat or minimize the claim.
If you have been injured in a car accident, we recommend that you see a medical provider (urgent care, your primary care physician, a chiropractor – any medical provider) as soon as possible. Get it on record with a medical provider that you were injured. Call a personal injury lawyer to get legal advice. Personal injury lawyers charge nothing for a consultation, so there is no reason not to call.
McGee, Lerer & Associates is a Long Beach personal injury law firm. We are a husband and wife team of accident lawyers with over 40 years of combined experience. A car accident attorney at our firm is available 24/7 for a free consultation. Let our family help yours.