car or truck, on a bike or motorcycle, or struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, the moments after a crash can be disorienting and chaotic. After reporting the accident and getting necessary immediate medical attention, you may find dealing with the aftermath as a daunting process: dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, lost wages, gathering facts for your case, and repairing or replacing your car. The scope and severity of personal injury cases can vary widely; an experienced personal injury law firm will help you manage these factors.
“What do I do after an accident?” — We invite you to review these post-accident tips to prepare yourself for such an event.
Immediately after the crash ….
Call 911 and turn on your hazard lights
Even if you can, do not move your vehicle to the side of the road until you have taken documentary photos/videos, or until the emergency vehicles arrive. This will preserve the forensic integrity of the accident scene. Most car accidents require that you file a police report, and possibly go to a police station for a recorded statement.
Seek medical attention
Even if you believe you have been only mildly or temporarily injured in an accident, your primary objective should be to seek evaluative medical care. Many conditions do not present until weeks or even months later, so it is critically important to be proactive in your medical treatment. At the scene, at the hospital, and at your follow-up medical appointments: always be honest about the full spectrum of your symptoms, and advocate for your health.
Be honest
If you have physical pain, or are experiencing any physical impairments such as mental, emotional, psychological or cognitive issues, inform your care provider. Be honest and straightforward about how the injuries are impacting you and the consequences of these changes in your life. The more thorough and specific you can be, the better.
Do not give any recorded statements to insurance adjusters
Provide your insurance information when asked, but do not give permission to any insurance adjuster to record your conversation. (Our lead attorney was himself a former claims adjuster; he can tell you from experience that an adjuster’s job is to gather information to deny your claim.) If the adjuster’s policyholder caused the crash, their job is to gather any information that minimizes or reduces your injuries so the insurance company can pay less. Keep in mind: claims adjusters’ salaries and bonuses are based upon paying claims within a range that a proprietary computer program (Colossus) thinks your injuries are worth. There is a 95% chance that a computer program will evaluate your harms and losses – not a human being.
Do not sign any documents from any insurance company
In Colorado, a claimant does not have to sign a medical release for the insurance to process a claim. Also, in many crashes, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a claim. Contact a Colorado personal injury attorney to confirm exactly how long you have to file your claim.
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In the days or weeks after your crash…
Gather important records
Obtain the complete police, ambulance and fire reports, as well as any emergency room records and imaging studies (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, DMX, etc). Get photos of you, your car and any other vehicles involved. Gather all of your insurance policies for both auto and home, as well as any insurance policies of any relatives living with you at the time of the crash. Finally, if you own a vehicle that needs repair, tell your repair shop to document and outline in writing all damage, including damage to the undercarriage.
Attend all your medical appointments
Your health comes first in the days and weeks after an accident, so seek out the treatment that you need. Don’t miss your medical appointments and get recommended treatment to help in recovery. If chiropractic care is recommended, you may find resources at the Colorado Chiropractic Association.
Document all out-of-pocket expenses
After many years of experience working on personal injury cases, we understand that incidental expenses will add up. Time away from work, travel expenses to see specialists, medical incidentals, rental cars: all expenses resulting from your accident are potentially reimbursable, including co-pays and prescriptions.
If necessary, seek out legal help
No one wants to have to employ an attorney, but when car reimbursements are undervalued, medical bills are unpaid and the insurance company denies the claim, few choices remain. When you meet with an attorney, be realistic and truthful. At our firm, we expect brutal honest from our clients… and we will in turn, listen and share our advice with full disclosure.
Be an educated consumer
Educate yourself on how a Colorado personal injury lawyer can help. You deserve to know your rights, how your claim will be evaluated, and how a trial attorney can help you in your recovery. After your crash, no individual should have to fight an insurance company for a reasonable payment of medical bills, future medical care and the return to a normal life.
While we hope that no one would ever be faced with such an event, motor vehicle accidents are a sad fact of life. This may be a frightening and confusing time, but you are not alone. Our law office offers free consultations — so call us today to find out how the Law Offices of Peter M. Anderson can help.
