1. Preserving Your Claim Protecting Your Interests Preventing Losses WHAT TO DO AFTER A WRECK 2. Make sure everyone involved is out of harms way Call 911 ASAP Do not move the vehicles until law enforcement arrives AT THE SCENE OF THE WRECK 3. Take pictures, or if you are seriously injured, have someone else take pictures of EVERYTHING vehicles, skid marks, debris, scene, injured people Do Not Refuse Medical Care this is not the time to try to be tough. AT THE SCENE OF THE WRECK 4. Tell medical personnel about every part of your body that is hurt or affected. Give an accurate history of your previous injuries, surgeries, etc. Dont leave anything out. Follow-up with other physicians as ordered. Fill all of the prescriptions you are given Provide all medical providers a copy of your health insurance card. AMBULANCE / EMERGENCY ROOM 5. Some of the most important decisions and actions, and some of the biggest mistakes, are made very early on in a case. Insurance company adjusters and investigators are extensively trained and highly skilled to do things to save the insurance company money. An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney helps level the playing field. CONTACT EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE 6. Fair Market Value (FMV) of the vehicle determined NADA.com, KBB.com or Edmunds.com may provide a reasonable idea of the FMV Insurance company is responsible for the costs of new title and tags. There may be reimbursement for the loss of use of a vehicle, even if you do not obtain a rental car. HANDLING TOTAL LOSS PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM 7. Do not give a recorded statement Do not answer any questions if on medication, under doctors care, or otherwise unable to think clearly. Never guess or speculate about things such as injuries, treatment, long-term losses or disabilities. DEALING WITH INSURANCE ADJUSTER 8. WHAT TO DO AFTER A WRECK If you've recently been in a car wreck, or a truck wreck, or a motorcycle wreck, three things you really need to do immediately. First of all, do not talk to the insurance company for the personat fault. That insurance company is trained to take a statement and to get information against you that they can use later to decrease the amount ofyour settlement. Second, you need to see your doctor ifyou've not already done so. If you have, you need to make sure you're doing everything your doctor tells you to do. Whether it's therapy or rest, or prescriptions. The third thing you need to do is you need to take photographs ofthe damage to any vehicles, ofany visible injuries. Cuts and bruises go away and it's important that you document those as quickly as you can. 9. Take pictures of everything bruises, cuts, stitches, crutches, walkers, casts, etc. Submit all bills to YOUR health insurance company.. Do not skip doctor or therapy appointments. Do not downplay your injuries and symptoms when talking to your doctor or therapist. Make sure to tell your doctor or therapist the truth about your wreck, fall or other event that caused your injuries. Make sure you obtain, and keep copies, of doctors notes excusing any and all absences from school or work. PRESERVING YOUR CLAIM