There are a number of things that you, as an individual, can do to help protect your rights and gather and preserve information to assist your claim.

1. After an accident, seek appropriate medical care for all involved, and cooperate with the police.
2. At the scene of the accident, obtain any witness names and phone numbers and, if possible, take photographs of the vehicles involved in the scene of the accident with your camera or cell phone.
3. Talk to a lawyer about the accident and your possible claim. Even if you do not want to hire a lawyer immediately, it is helpful for you to obtain information about the law involved as it applies to your accident. Talking to an adjuster before you talk to a lawyer often allows them to take information from you which they will use to deny your claim.
4. Gather together all important information such as your insurance policy and declaration sheet, accident information, and medical bills and information.
5. Determine the insurance available to cover your car damage. If you have your own car insurance policy that covers your vehicle, it may be to your advantage to present the claim to your own company rather than the other driver's insurance company depending on the facts and circumstances. The insurance company for the other driver will want to settle your car damage as quickly as possible. You can settle the car damage separate from your injury claim.
6. Be careful not to sign anything for the insurance company involving your injury claim, or give them any recorded statements about how the accident occurred, until you have had a chance to talk to a lawyer and take a look at the police accident report.
7. You may have an obligation to cooperate with your own insurance company regarding the accident. Most policies require that you report the accident to your own insurance policy.
8. If you have any questions about what you should do after an accident with regard to whose fault the accident was, what insurance coverage applies to your claim, how to handle your car damage claim, or any other matter, please feel free to call The Gervelis Law Firm.

Top Five Questions After a Car Accident:

1. Who will pay for the damage of the car? If the car accident was caused by the fault of another driver, generally, the other driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying for the damage to your car. You can also choose to have your insurance company handle your car damage claim if you have collision coverage.
2. Who will pay for the medical bills? If the car accident was caused by the fault of the other driver, generally, the other driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying for any medical bills you incur.
3. What if I am hurt, but I can't afford to pay for a doctor visit? If you were hurt as a result of the car accident, it is very important for you to go to the emergency room or your family doctor immediately. This provides documentation of your injuries and prevents the insurance company from saying that you were not hurt.
4. What if the other driver does not have insurance? If you have insurance, but the other driver does not, then we can proceed with your claim with your insurance company. This is called uninsured motorist coverage. Your insurance company will then attempt to collect money from the other driver.
5. What if I can't afford to pay for an attorney? Don’t worry. The fee that we collect is a percentage of the settlement that you eventually receive. There will be NO money taken out of your pocket and no retainer fees. WE ONLY GET PAID IF YOU GET PAID. However, clients may be responsible for associated costs and expenses of their case.