Top FIVE things to do after any type of accident causing injury as explained by award winning Los Angeles personal injury law firm, Steven M. Sweat, APC.

1. FIVE THINGS you
MUST do Following A
Personal Injury
Glotzer & Sweat, LLP –
Personal Injury Lawyers
in Los Angeles, CA

2. STOP!!
You’ve just been in an accident through no fault of your
own, you were injured and you are wondering what you
need to do?
• What information do I need?
• Should I take pictures of the area where it happened
or my injuries?
• Should I report this to my insurance?
• Should I talk to the insurance representative for the
person who injured me?
• Should I go to the doctor right away if I’m hurt?
• Which doctor should I see and what kinds of
questions should I ask about treatment of my injuries?
• Should I call a lawyer and, if so, how soon after the
incident should I do so?
TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO INCLUDE:

3. 1. Get Information and Evidence At
the Scene Where the Injury Occurred
It is important to obtain enough information at the scene of any accident whether it
be a car accident, fall, or any other injury causing event. With the common use of
smartphones, this is now easier than ever. Take photos of the following:
1. The driver’s license and proof of insurance for the driver of any vehicle
involved in an auto accident. Make sure to focus the camera so that all
information is legible.
2. The physical damage to property including automobile property damage to all
vehicles involved.
3. The overall view of the accident scene and close up shots of any dangerous
condition that may have caused the incident (e.g. slick substances on the
floor, protruding objects, holes in the ground, potholes, etc.) or of the positions
of the vehicles when they came to rest in an auto accident claim.
Write down: The names, addresses and phone numbers of any driver, passenger or
witnesses to the accident and the badge number and name of any investigating
officer or any Emergency Medical responders at the scene.
Request: A copy of a police report from the investigating officer. Usually they will
give you a small post card size information card with the “NCIC” or other
identification number and instructions on how to request a full report. If not, at least
get a business card from the officer(s).
In the case of a fall in a retail store, request a copy of any incident report filled out
by any employee or manager of the store and ask for a business card or at least the
name and employee number for anyone who saw the incident or spoke to the victim
afterwards.

4. 2. Seek PROMPT Medical Attention
and Document Your Examination(s)
and Treatment(s)
You must seek out prompt and thorough medical
diagnosis and treatment if you have sustained ANY
injury as a result of the incident. This includes the
following:
• Accepting offers of emergency transport from the
scene if necessary
• Requesting full and complete diagnosis including x-rays,
MRIs, CT Scans or other diagnostic tests that
may show the severity of the injuries
• Seeking out follow up medical care and treatment
AFTER any initial emergency trauma care. This can
include a visit to your regular medical doctor and
seeking a referral to a specialist such as an
Orthopedist, Neurologist or Physical Therapist.

5. 3. Promptly Report the Incident to
Your Own Insurance Carrier
Under most policies of insurance including auto
insurance, homeowners or renters policies, or business
or commercial insurance, there is a duty to promptly
report all actual or potential claims. Failure to do so can
possibly result in a denial of coverage. When you report
the incident, though, just STICK TO THE FACTS:
• When did the accident occur?
• Where did it happen?
• Who was involved?
• How did it happen? Be cautious here in describing
the incident. Less is more.
• “WAS ANYONE INJURED?” Always err on the side of
caution when answering this question. Many times
injuries do not manifest until days or even weeks
following an incident.
If you have an attorney, let the lawyer do the reporting
of the claim to your insurance company.

6. 4. Do NOT Provide Information To ANY
Insurance Representative from Any Other
Party Involved in the Incident
It is important to know that, while you have a contractual duty to
report the claim to your own insurance and to cooperate with
them in investigating the claim, you have NO such duty with
regard to the insurance company for the other side! Insurance
carriers are in the business of minimizing payments of claims.
One of the major tactics they use is to train their claims adjusters
to obtain information from people filing claims against their
insureds that can later be used to minimize or deny the claim.
DON’T fall into this trap!! For Example, Do NOT:
• Consent to a recorded statement either in person or over the
phone with the at fault party’s insurance claim’s representative
• Sign ANYTHING that is given to you by the insurance company
for the other side including: Settlement agreements, releases,
waivers, consents to obtain medical information or other
protected information such as your social security number or
tax information.

7. 5. Promptly Consult With And
Retain A Personal Injury Lawyer
According to statistics from the Insurance Research
Council (a group who conducts studies for the insurance
industry), persons represented by attorneys receive
approximately 40 percent higher settlements than those
who choose to “represent themselves”. In addition,
their stats indicate that 85 percent of ALL dollars paid in
auto accident claims go to persons represented by
lawyers. Why is this? SIMPLE: Insurance companies are
set up to take in premiums and make money through
investments of the funds that are “floating” through
their accounts. What cuts into these profits? Payments
on claims at full value! If they convince you to say and
do things before seeking proper legal advice that either
completely invalidates your claim or drastically reduces
the value ….. THEY MAKE MORE MONEY. The adjuster
gets a bonus, the CEO is happy and ALL AT YOUR
EXPENSE!

8. How do I choose a quality personal
injury lawyer that cares and will
maximize the value of my claim?
Reputation, experience, results and
compassion. This is what has set Glotzer
& Sweat, LLP apart for the past 18 years
of representing personal injury victims
and their families throughout California
including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange
County, and the Inland Empire.
For More Information Call Toll Free
Statewide @ 1-866-229-0101 or visit our
website:
http://www.victimslawyer.com