| The moments after an auto accident are a | | | | insurance company, not you. People frequently |
| stressful and frightening time. Unfortunately, they | | | | make misstatements when talking to insurance |
| can also be the time when you inadvertently give | | | | adjusters that significantly lower the value of their |
| up some of your legal rights to compensation for | | | | claims. Even misstatements to family and friends |
| your injuries or damages. Familiarize yourself with | | | | can come back to haunt you in court. Retain an |
| these 10 important steps to take after an auto | | | | experienced auto accident attorney and direct all |
| accident to ensure you receive your just legal | | | | questions to him or her. |
| due: | | | | 7.) Attend the traffic court trial. It is extremely |
| 1.) Call 911 immediately. Let the dispatcher know if | | | | important to attend any municipal court matters |
| you or anyone at the scene requires medical | | | | pertaining to your auto accident, even if you plan |
| assistance. | | | | to file a suite in civil court. If the other driver |
| 2.) While its tempting to talk to the opposing | | | | pleads guilty to causing the wreck, it is an |
| driver, do not discuss how the wreck happened | | | | admission of fault that can be used during a civil |
| until the police arrive. Instead of discussing the | | | | trial. If the defendant does not plead guilty, your |
| details of the accident, take this time to get vital | | | | testimony could mean the difference in a guilty |
| details such as name, phone number, address and | | | | verdict. A guilty verdict is not admissible in a civil |
| insurance details from the other driver. Do not | | | | case, but is valuable for settlement purposes. |
| rely on the police to collect this information. | | | | 8.) Monitor your health. Misdiagnoses are more |
| 3.) Never apologize or admit that a wreck was | | | | common than expected, but many people will |
| your fault. Even if you make a general statement | | | | stop short of seeking a second medical opinion |
| like "I am so sorry this happened" you may be | | | | after an accident either because they already saw |
| inadvertently incriminating yourself. | | | | a doctor or because they hope the pain will simply |
| 4.) Collect evident. Always carry a camera or cell | | | | go away. Do some research on other types of |
| phone with picture capabilities in your car and | | | | treatment such as chiropractic or neuromuscular |
| immediately take photos of the scene, the cars, | | | | massage therapy. Find what works for you. No |
| road conditions, traffic signs, and other evidence. | | | | one will care more about your health than you do. |
| If you are injured, photograph your injuries, even | | | | 9.) Confide in your attorney and medical |
| if they seem like minor bruises and cuts. | | | | professionals. You must trust your counsel with all |
| Remember, if you don't take pictures | | | | details pertinent to the auto accident, even if you |
| immediately, the evidence will soon be lost. Skid | | | | feel they will hurt your case. For example, if the |
| marks fade, cuts and bruises heal, and your proof | | | | victim in an auto accident fails to disclose prior |
| disappears. | | | | injuries and the insurance company discovers |
| 5.) See a doctor immediately after the accident. | | | | them, they will use that information to discredit all |
| While you may feel fine after a wreck, you could | | | | of her previous statements about her injuries. |
| be suffering from delayed onset injuries. | | | | 10.) Do not be in a hurry to settle. The full extent |
| Traumatic brain injuries, especially, can be insidious | | | | of your injuries may not be known for several |
| and only manifest days or weeks later. A doctor | | | | months after an auto accident. By being patient, |
| will be able to document the extent of your | | | | you will allow your health care provider to fully |
| injuries and prescribe a course of treatment. | | | | document and treat your injuries, ensuring that |
| 6.) Use extreme caution when talking to insurance | | | | you will be in the best position for a fair recovery. |
| adjusters or even family and friends. Insurance | | | | Once the matter is settled, you will not be able to |
| adjusters will appear friendly and sympathetic, but | | | | recover for additional related injuries that are |
| don't ever forget that they are working for the | | | | discovered later. |