What to Do After You've Been in a Car Accident

First things first, get yourself to a safe place and call 911. If your injuries are not an emergency, stay on the scene until the officer completes his report.

Tell the officer exactly what happened to the best of your memory. Do not guess or speculate. If you are asked whether you are injured and you aren't sure, say so, rather than saying no. Sometimes injuries and pain from a collision manifest hours after the collision.

Then:

• Get medical attention: Don't delay getting treated for your injuries. Even minor wrecks can cause major injury. To make sure that insurance doesn't attempt to deny coverage saying that your injuries are not related to the accident, seek immediate medical diagnosis and treatment directly after the collision.
• Document everything: If you can, take pictures of the scene, your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, and your visible injuries. Get insurance information on the driver who caused the wreck. Do not speak to anyone except the responding officers to get this information as you don't want to accidentally make any statements that might be used against you later.
• Notify your insurance company: Let your car insurance company know about the wreck and that it was not your fault. Often you will have "medpay" coverage attached to your policy which will help to pay some of your medical bills after a collision. Your insurance rates should not increase as a result of submitting claims for medpay coverage.
• Receive follow-up treatment: After receiving emergency medical treatment immediately following the accident, follow up with your general practitioner later that week. Speak with your doctor about a comprehensive plan for your recovery. If your GP refers you to a specialist, follow all of their recommendations promptly. If any chiropractic treatment or physical therapy is needed, complete all sessions.
• Determine whether to hire an attorney: In our opinion, even if you think your injuries are minor, it's always a good idea to have an attorney represent your interests in dealing with the insurance company. It doesn't cost you any money out of pocket, and in our experience, the additional settlement funds received by clients who are represented by an attorney as compared with those who are not more than covers the percentage charged by the attorney for handling the case. Of course, find out what percentage the attorney charges when you have your meeting.

Remember that insurance companies deal with these claims every day, and they know that individuals are unaware of all of their rights and the potential pitfalls in these cases.

Often, when individuals deal with adjusters directly, the adjuster will try to convince them that the at-fault driver is responsible for their injuries, saying "just submit it to your insurance for payment."

Or, insurance will make a lowball offer of only a fraction of what the case is worth.

Even if you aren't sure you want to hire an attorney, we're happy to talk with you about the specifics of your case to help you determine the best way to move forward.