Talk to No One
Do not talk to anyone about your accident except your physician, your chiropractor, your attorney, or your attorney’s investigators. You should always require identification before speaking to anyone to be sure you are not speaking with the wrong person. Do not even speak with your insurance company or any lawyers or investigators hired by them unless you have discussed it with your own attorneys first. Insurance companies do not pay money willingly. Do not allow anyone to tape record anything you say because it may ultimately be used as evidence against you and harm your case.

Take Photographs
Save the negatives and prints of any photographs which have been taken pertaining to your case. You should photograph and color any bruises, cuts or other physical evidence as soon as possible so that the full extent of your injuries can be visually preserved. After taking any pictures be sure to them developed immediately; then, if the results are poor, you can take additional pictures before the damage heals.

Car Repair Do not have your automobile repaired until you have taken pictures. Pictures taken by an insurance company will not be released to you. You must take your own. Pictures are necessary in order to better estimate the impact of the collision. After the pictures have been taken, have your collision insurance carrier repair your car.

Your Physician or Chiropractor
Return to your physician or chiropractor as often as necessary and always tell him or her about all your complaints. Disclose all symptoms and problems and do not minimize your ailments, since they will affect your medical or chiropractic evaluation and treatment.

Health Insurance
Immediately review both your health insurance and your automobile insurance policies. Submit all medical, chiropractic or hospital bills to the appropriate insurance carrier for immediate payment. Your physician or chiropractor may accept a lien whereby his or her charges are paid out of any amounts received by your claim.

Save all physical evidence
If your injuries require a cast, brace, traction, or other appliance, save it. It is evidence important to your case. Further, take photographs when you are in the cast or brace for evidence.

Save Your Receipts Keep all documents, receipts or other items relating in any way to your case. You can always discard something at a later date, but it may be impossible to get a duplicate of something discarded. Keep duplicate copies of all medical, chiropractic, hospital and drug bills. Also, keep records of any other expenses you my have in connection with your accident, such as the hiring of extra help and the costs incurred in going to your doctor. All your bills should be paid by check or you should obtain and keep receipts. Before seeing your attorney, you should make and keep a list of all your medical bills sot that he or she can better evaluate your case. These out-of-pocket expenses are known as your “specials.”

Keep a Diary
Explain how your life was changed as a result of the accident. Explain in your diary in detail how your injuries have affected your activities. Describe what things you were physically able to do before, that you now have difficulty doing as a result of your injuries. Explain how your injuries have affected your personal relations including any personality changes. Be specific in describing your limitations, i.e., how high you can or cannot raise your arm. Describe your pain, both at the time of the accident and at all times afterward. For example, is it a shooting pain? Is it a throbbing pain? Describe it. A good way to remember all your complaints is to start at your head and work your way down through all parts of your body from your head to your toes. Also advise your attorney if you are taking any medication.

Lost Wages and Earnings
Keep an accurate record of all days lost from work because of your injuries. This is important because you are entitled to compensation for any days lost from work at your gross earnings even if you receive sick leave or vacation pay from your employer. However, you will need copies of your W-2 and income tax returns for the past five years. If this injury has prevented you from advancement in your employment or from obtaining employment, know the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons who can prove this. Loss of income or potential income is very important in determining the seriousness of your injuries.

Traffic Offenses
Never plead guilty to any traffic offense, and if you are arrested in connection with an accident, call a lawyer immediately for representation and advice. In event of a coroner’s inquest or other type of hearing, you should always retain an attorney to represent and protect you.

Witnesses Obtain and sage the correct names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses. It is usually wisest not to contact a witness yourself. Instead, contact an attorney who can retain a professional investigator to do this. A professional investigator is trained to get important facts without alarming the witness. If not handled properly, the witness may refuse to talk to anyone or experience a “lapse in memory.” Either of these could adversely affect your case.

Retaining an Attorney
Retaining the services of an attorney for a claim arising from an automobile accident, slip and fall, or other personal injury could be very advantageous. An attorney who is experienced in this area of law knows how to deal with insurance companies. It often requires and experienced attorney to handle the many aspects required to assure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. You should only be concerned with getting well at this critical time. Immediate representation by any attorney relieves your from interrogation by insurance company investigators. Immediate representation will also ensure that evidence and important facts are preserved, often resulting in a more favorable settlement or trial judgment for you.

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