Before worrying about legal strategy, lock in the basics that protect your health and strengthen your claim:
- Get medical care promptly. Even if you “feel okay,” soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and delayed pain can show up later. California insurers often look for consistency between the crash timeline and treatment.
- If police were involved, save the report number. A police report can become a key anchor for insurers—especially when fault is disputed.
- Document the scene while you can: traffic control devices, crosswalk markings, curb cuts, debris, and where each vehicle/cyclist was positioned.
- Write down witness info immediately. Belmont incidents can involve quick passersby—neighbors, pedestrians, or motorists—whose statements may be hard to locate later.
If an adjuster contacts you quickly, be careful. In California, statements made before your medical picture is clear can be used to argue that injuries were not caused by the crash or were exaggerated.


