Personal Injury FAQ
What to do after an Auto Accident

What information should I obtain after an accident?
Should I call the police?
When should I contact an attorney?
Should I contact my own insurance company?
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company? What if they call me?
Should I go to the doctor
Is there anything special I should tell my doctors?
Do I need to take pictures of the accident scene?
Do I have to take photos right away or can I wait?
What about preserving other evidence besides photos?

Should I go to the doctor?
Never hesitate to get checked out by medical professionals, even when you feel okay. Many times the onset of physical complaints begins 12 to 24 hours after an accident. Even if you did walk away only feeling “shaken up” after being rear-ended, it may be a different story when you get out of bed the next morning.

It is also important that you get medical attention if you feel any pain or discomfort. Many people hope that their pain will go away on its own and wait for several weeks before finally succumbing and going to the doctor. Waiting to get treatment is not only not good for your health – it will hurt your chances of obtaining an appropriate settlement for your injuries, since there will be no medical record of your injury at the time of the accident. Seeing a doctor following the accident will insure a preliminary diagnosis and perhaps minimize the discomfort and future treatment you may need later.

Follow the doctor's advice to the letter and never miss a doctor’s appointment. Do not substitute your judgment for that of an experienced medical professional. If you do, it will be used against you in court.

If you have been in a serious accident, chances are that someone has already made a record of what has happened to you. There already is a police report, an on-the-job worker's compensation report, or the like. If your condition required immediate medical care, hospital records will confirm your injuries. Make sure you promptly follow-up with treatment from your regular doctor or an appropriate specialist following hospitalization.