TALK TO NO ONE – Do not talk to anyone about your accident except your health care professional(s), your attorney or his/her staff and investigators. Do not allow anyone to tape record anything you say because it may be used as evidence against you. Also, do not offer or give statements before any court or administrative agency without first notifying your attorney.

PHOTOGRAPHS = Save the negatives and prints of any photographs that have been taken pertaining to your case. Take color photographs of any bruises, cuts or other physical evidence as soon as possible so that the full extent of your injuries can be accurately depicted. Photographs should be taken of all motor vehicles and the accident location.

MEDICAL CARE – Return to your health care professional(s) as often as is medically necessary and always tell him/her about all of your physical and emotional complaints. Disclose all symptoms and problems. Do not minimize your ailments, since they will affect your medical evaluation and treatments.

VEHICLE CARE/REPAIRS = Don’t have your vehicle repaired until you have taken pictures of it. Pictures taken by an insurance company may not be released to you. You must take your own. Pictures taken at different angles of the vehicle are necessary in order to better estimate the impact of the collision.

INSURANCE – immediately review your health and vehicle insurance policies. Submit all chiropractic, physical therapy, medical or hospital bills to the appropriate insurance carrier and your attorney for coordination of payments.

EVIDENCE – If your injuries require a cast, brace, metal hardware such as screws, staples and pins, traction or other appliances, save it/them. It is evidence important to your case. Keep all documents, receipts or other items relating in any way to your case. You can always discard something at a later date, but it may be impossible to get a duplicate copy of something discarded.

WITNESSES – Obtain and save the correct names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses. Do not contact a witness yourself. Instead, contact an attorney who can retain a professional investigator to do this. A professional investigator is trained to gather facts and information from potential witnesses.

DAMAGES – Keep an accurate record of all days lost from work because of your injuries. An injured person is entitled to compensation for any days lost from work if he or she is disabled. If this injury has prevented you from advancement in your employment or from obtaining employment, know the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons who can prove this. An injured person may also be entitled to a loss of earning capacity.

DOCUMENT QUALITY OF LIFE CHANGES – Explain how your life has been changed as a result of the accident. Explain in your diary in detail how your injuries have affected your activities. Describe what things you were physically able to do before that you now have difficulty doing as a result of your injuries. Be specific in describing your limitations. Describe your pain, both at the time of the accident and at all times afterward. Also, explain how the accident has affected you personally, physically, emotionally, professionally, athletically and socially.

1. Hire an attorney who will zealously and competently handle your case in a

professional and timely manner to ensure optimal results.