Automobile Accidents

• What is the first thing I should do after an accident?
• What should I do if I can’t immediately reach a lawyer?
• What should I tell the doctor about my accident or injury?
• What medical records are important for my case?
• Should I take pictures of the crash site even if the police have already taken pictures?
• What should I say if an insurance adjuster calls me?

What is the first thing I should do after an accident?

If you are injured, your first action should be to get medical attention. After getting medical attention, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to advise you and answer your questions.

What should I do if I can’t immediately reach a lawyer?

The importance of seeking medical attention cannot be emphasized enough. When you visit a doctor, the doctor makes a record of his examination and diagnosis of your condition after an injury. Even if you just feel shaken up and don’t think you are injured, it is wise to see a doctor because you may be in shock and not realize you have been injured. It is also possible that some injuries, such as whiplash or traumatic brain injury may not become noticeable until the next day. The doctor will establish a preliminary diagnosis which later on in your personal injury claim makes it easier to recover payment for treatments. Be sure to follow the physician’s instructions exactly because that will help in proving the validity of your claim.

What should I tell the doctor about my accident or injury?

You always want to tell the doctor the truth, explain your symptoms and give him all the details about your condition. Do not leave out any symptoms, thinking they might be unimportant because they may be indications of a more serious condition.

For example, a light headache or dizziness may indicate a concussion. Tingling sensations in your fingers or back may indicate spinal damage. You also want to get your symptoms on the record as soon as possible after they have occurred.  Insurance companies may try to prove that your injuries were caused at another time and not related to the accident to throw doubt on your personal injury claim.

What records are important for my case?

Reporting your accident and injury to the proper professionals creates records for your case. If injured in a car accident related to your job, you should report what happened to a Human Resources professional or your supervisor. When taken to the emergency room at a hospital, the hospital will keep records of what occurred. Filing a police report for the accident creates another record. All records can be used as evidence in presenting your case.

Additionally, after doctor, physical therapist or medical facility visits, you should get copies of the bills, even if an insurance carrier is keeping records. It is important to have copies of your bills and prescription receipts in case of discrepancies. You can also make your own record of days missed at work due to the injury and days spent with your physician or physical therapist. Detailed, specific records assist your attorney in representing your case.

Additionally, at the scene of the accident, if you are able to get the names and contact information of witnesses, your attorney can interview them and to create further evidence for your case.

Should I take pictures even if the police have already taken pictures?

Any type of pictures, even taken with a cell phone camera or disposable camera, can be valuable evidence in a case, and you should take pictures even if the police have already done so. It is best to take pictures as soon as possible after the accident because skid marks only last 24 to 48 hours, and it is important to photograph them. Experts can determine speeds and calculate distances based on skid marks. Several angles of the same object, such as your car and other vehicles will also help experts to judge distances. To obtain photographs from several angles you plant your feet in one position and lean to the left and take pictures from that angle and then lean to the right and also take pictures from that perspective.

It is wise to take perhaps three times as many pictures as you might think are necessary and err on the side of too many pictures, rather than too few.

Also take pictures of your injury, such as cuts, burns, broken bones or bruises as these photos can be compared to later photographs to show progress or lack of progress in healing.

What should I say if an insurance adjuster calls me?

Let the insurance adjuster know that your attorney has advised you not to answer any questions until you have spoken with her. Once we have spoken about your case, I will advise you on what to say, and I may ask to be present when the insurance adjuster questions you.

If you are seeking counsel regarding a car accident, please call our office at 301-262-5500 to arrange a free, no obligation consultation.