Experiencing an unusual, disconnected call or a worrying California TV news report can ignite anxiety, particularly when suspicion arises that a loved one may be involved in a car accident. The inability to immediately ascertain the situation or extend a helping hand to a family member can be both disconcerting and frustrating.
However, this sense of helplessness can be mitigated. There are effective steps you can take to actively seek information about a loved one and a potential vehicular mishap on a California road. Maintain your composure and initiate contact to gather as much information as possible.
Engaging with Family and Friends
Your first contact should ideally be the family member, or members you fear might be involved in the mishap. If you are unable to connect, leave a voicemail. You may receive a response shortly, assuring you of their safety and allaying your fears.
Contact other family members if you cannot reach the person of concern. Someone may have information about an accident but hasn’t yet informed you.
Friends of the potential victims could also be contacted if you have their contact details. You could even contact their workplace to check if their colleagues have any information.
Liaising with Local Authorities and the California Highway Patrol
Your subsequent calls should be directed to local law enforcement and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Avoid calling 911 unless it’s a genuine emergency. Instead, contact the local Police Desk or the nearest CHP call centre. They may be able to provide information about any reported accidents in your area.
If you’re listed as an emergency contact, emergency responders should ideally contact you in case of an accident. Hence, it’s crucial always to have a physical copy of emergency contact details accessible in a wallet or a car.
You can also check your local department’s websites and social media pages and those of the CHP. Officers sometimes post updates from accident scenes.
The CHP maintains a live update of ongoing accident investigations. Visit the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page and select your region for the latest accident reports. While these reports don’t reveal identities, they can notify you about any reported accidents in your loved one’s travel area. Similar information may also be available from your local police department.
Contacting Local Hospitals
Reaching out to your city’s hospital or emergency room may alleviate your worries. Hospitals can generally confirm if an individual by a certain name has been admitted.
Due to privacy laws, hospitals may be unable to provide additional information. However, if given a room number, you can call the patient’s room. If you’re certain a loved one is admitted, you could also visit the hospital.
Monitoring Media Reports
If you’ve seen a report from a local TV station, continue following the story for updates. You could also contact the station for any unreported information about the accident.
Ensure you also check the station’s website, local radio station websites, and newspaper sites. They may have online updates to help confirm or deny your loved one’s involvement in the accident.
Leveraging Technology to Determine if a Loved One is Involved in a California Car Accident
Cellphones and navigation tools could alert you if a loved one has been in an accident. Available apps can notify family members when a loved one’s phone detects a significant impact.
You could locate someone’s phone on a map by anticipating and preparing for such unfortunate incidents. This critical feature is worth setting up with all your loved ones.
Some dashcams and mobile services like OnStar include emergency features that initiate a call to emergency contacts upon detecting an impact. Some services can text about an accident to an emergency contact list.
A Note for California Car Accident Victims and Their Families…
If you or a loved one suffer injuries in a California car accident, there are benefits to which you’re entitled that auto insurance companies are not obliged to disclose. Before engaging with any auto insurance representative, consult a competent California Car Accident Lawyer.
You can arrange a free, confidential case consultation with Maison Law. Consult with a bona fide California attorney to determine the worth of your injury claim. Learn how to sidestep insurance strategies designed to deprive you and your family of the financial resources you need to cover medical bills and compensate for lost wages during recovery. Contact us at your earliest convenience.