ACCIDENT LOG




Keep record of the following to organize information that you will eventually use to discuss your claim with an insurance company representative or review your case with a personal injury attorney.

  • Duration, scope, and degree of your injury pain and suffering; emotional distress, fatigue, tenderness, inconvenience, and so on. Your accident log can include your thoughts, experiences, and interactions on a day-to-day basis. This documentation can help  show how your accident injuries have interfered with your family life, social life, and workplace

  • Exchange information with all other drivers involved or who witnessed the accident, basic information such as name, license number, vehicle ID number, insurance company name and policy number

  • Take photographs of your injuries and the damage to all vehicles at the scene of the accident. Continue to take pictures of your injuries at different times after the accident. If your camera does not do so automatically add (on the back of the photo) the date to the photo

  • If police responded to your accident scene get a copy of the police report

  • Record of all pedestrian names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses that witnessed the accident

  • Log all office medical visits, and include prescriptions written, over-the-counter medicines purchased, laboratory services rendered, physical therapy visits, hospital visits, treatments, medical documents, and x-rays. Include the names doctors and technicians you see, dates you were treated, amount you were charged and reasons for the medical treatment

  • Log all time taken off from work because of the accident including time off for medical and physical therapy treatments. If you are unable to function properly at work due to your injuries you should document this on a day-to-day basis and.get a note (on business letterhead) from your employer verifying that you lost pay and because lost time at work

  • Log all lost school time lost due to the accident that may include you inability to continue your school work since the accident

  • Revisit you witnesses by contacting them for written statements, if you did not get them at the accident scene, before too much time elapses.

  • Get your car, truck, or motorcycle fixed. The estimates provided by your insurance company's recommended "repair shop" can often be lower than the best automobile repair craftsman required or available to fully restore or fix your vehicle. In California you have a legal right to take the automobile to a certified mechanic for another estimate. Whichever vehicle repair specialist you decide upon be sure to save all of the invoices, paperwork, and receipts for any work done.

  • Keep tabs on all receipts and invoices of everything you have paid for out-of-pocket expense for pertaining to the injuries you suffered due to the accident. This may include parental or child care expenses, a canceled vacation you had planned, soiled clothing due to the accident or its aftermath, ambulance service, car rental, and so on.

"Post Accident Rules of the Road"

  • Seek medical attention immediately after your accident for any injuries
  • Never admit fault immediately after an accident
  • Follow through with all medical treatments!
  • Never answer any questions from the other driver's insurance company agent, representative, or attorney or sign any forms or documents without getting legal counsel from your attorney
  • Never settle your case until all necessary medical expenses, present and future, are known
  • Keep copies of everything most notably documents, bills, and medical records.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH

Moments after a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident are more often than not, understandably, highly emotional and often confusing. But no matter the severity or circumstances surrounding the collision and its aftermath someone not seriously injured in the crash must begin dealing with the critical matters at hand.

Safety comes first and when lives, health, and well-being are at stake. If you are a driver in the accident here five basic things to do "right after the crash."

1) Turn off the engine of your vehicle and turn on your hazard lights - do not move your vehicle unless it is obstructing traffic and can be moved safely. If you have to move your vehicle do so on the safer side of the road but nearest the accident scene as possible.

2)  Help or get help if anyone is injured. Dial 911 and report if anyone, including yourself, is injured or if there is a fire, fuel leak, or auto parts on the roadway that may pose a threat to oncoming traffic. If there are no serious injuries or cause for emergency assistance call the police to report the accident. California state law requires its drivers to report all roadway accidents unless damages are obviously less than $750.

3) Turn your hazard lights on ... if you have cones, warning sign triangles, or flares use them.

4) Get away from the accident scene and roadway area and stay clear of traffic. Every year many pedestrian deaths and injuries occur near the accident scene following an auto accident.

5) Use-Check your Emergency Kit. Your emergency kit should include medical supplies, tape, bandages ... all the basics plus your medical alert card. It should also include a pen a paper for notes, and a disposable camera (with good batteries!).

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If someone has just been hurt in a car accident the time to act is now, not tomorrow, not later ... right now! The singular point of this article is this: Do everything possible now to make sure serious medical needs are dealt with immediately and completely.

6) Cooperate fully with law officers, but don't speak with your insurance company or
insurance agent and/or lawyer before accepting any blame.

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What to do when you get home after the crash ...

  • Call or see your doctor if you have any health concerns
  • Report the auto accident to your insurance company
  • Report the auto accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days if someone is injured or killed or if damage to either car is more than $750
  • Make an insurance claim with your insurance company and/or the other parties insurance company to pay for your injuries and other losses.
  • Contact your insurance company and a lawyer for legal advice if you are sued.
  • Contact a lawyer if you need legal advice or help in making a claim or in negotiating with your insurance company.

Personal Injury Auto Accident Checklist: Document Your Pain and Suffering Claim

It can be trying to "be cool" after an auto accident. Obtaining evidence, speaking with witnesses at the scene of the crash, taking pictures and gathering all the important information you need is not as easy as it sounds especially after such a traumatic event. But if you want to make sure you are properly positioned, and best compensated for all of the monetary damage due you, it's prudent to do your due diligence when it comes to a auto accident (especially when injury or death occurs).

For most helpful hints, read column upper right column of this page.
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