| This
checklist provides some sound advice
for victims of Auto Accidents. |
| As
Director of the Accident and Industrial
Injury Center and after treating hundreds
of accident victims, I've noticed 12
big mistakes made by nearly everyone.
I've created this valuable checklist
to guide you through this critical period--Things
to do immediately after an auto accident: |
| 1. |
Make
sure you immediately attend to your
injuries: It's amazing to me how
many people get hit from behind, or
fall down, or even experience head trauma
(you hit your heads), yet never get
an exam. Even if you think your injuries
are minor or non-existent, you should
see a doctor immediately after the accident
occurs. Why? Injuries that appear minor
to the untrained eye can sometimes be
serious! |
| 2. |
Schedule
an exam with a chiropractor within 24
hours of a fall, accident, or injury:
It's incredible, but true--if you fail
to get a doctor's statement of your
injuries within 24 hours, it's possible
the insurance company could doubt or
challenge the seriousness of your injury!
If you're ever in need of an immediate
exam or visit, our 24-hour office pager
line is: (800) 950-1620. |
| 3. |
Report
the accident: Call the police; next
notify your own insurance company promptly
after the accident. This next step is
critical: if the accident or injury
occurred on someone else's property,
immediately notify the owner, landlord,
or manager at the accident. |
| 4. |
Consult
with a lawyer: Many people involved
in an accident never consult with a
knowledgeable attorney. This is a major
mistake. Since most skilled personal
injury attorneys will not charge a fee
for your initial consultation, you have
every reason to get advice. Call our
office, and we'll be happy to refer
you to an excellent, ethical, and skilled
professional. |
| 5. |
Call
a skilled chiropractor, who understands
the unique injuries of auto accidents
and injuries: We have one of the
most successful clinics in the East
Bay for treating accident victims. Make
sure you choose a chiropractor based
on his or her experience in dealing
with and treating these unique medical
conditions. If you have questions, please
call my office at (800) 950-1620.
Like most lawyers, there is no charge
for an initial exam and consultation
at our clinic. You really have no reason
not to call us and schedule an exam
after any/every accident or injury. |
| 6. |
Do
not give statements, other than
to the police about the accident:
It is a big mistake to volunteer information
to others about what happened. They
could (and probably are) working for
the other side. It's not uncommon for
someone to begin asking you a series
of confusing questions after the accident.
They might be recording the conversation.
If you sound confused, you could seriously
injure your case should a problem ever
arise. (And in today's litigious society,
it probably will.) |
| 7. |
Do
not delay in seeking medical
/chiropractic care: Even if your
injuries are minor, you should seek
a chiropractor immediately. In order
for a cash settlement to be awarded
in your favor, or to make sure you don't
become an innocent victim due to your
assets, wealth, income, etc., a doctor
must state what injuries were caused
by the accident. |
| 8. |
Do
not miss your medical appointments:
Missing your chiropractic visits may
create the impressions that: |
| |
 |
Your
injuries were not serious enough
to justify seeing a doctor |
|
You're
not really making your best effort
to get better--a fact the insurance
companies and lawyers will prey
on |
|
They
might attempt to claim you made
your injuries even worse by failing
to keep your appointments |
|
| 9. |
Do
not sign any documents without
onsulting with your lawyer: Many
insurance companies want you to sign
a release, or a check. Why? They are
attempting to cease your rights to more
money that you might be fully justified
in getting! Here's the dirty little
secret that all insurance ccompanies
understand--but few auto accident victims
understand: You can only settle a case
one time, and one time only. You can't
go back and ask for more, even if you're
still hurt, get worse (which often happens
to injuries left untreated), or learn
new important information that strengthens
your case. Never sign anything without
your lawyer's advice. |
| 10. |
Do
not allow the olther side to
review your medical records without
consulting your lawyer: We make
it a long-standing policy at the Accident
and Injury Center to refuse access to
records except by our patients and the
patient's attorney. We also understand
how many people attempt to mislead someone
who's just been involved in an accident,
and we take every step to help our patients
and guide them to make the right decisions
and choices. While we do not give legal
advice, we can refer you to a competent,
skilled attorney, and we work closely
with your advisor. |
| One
last thing--This is Important:
Having an accident and experiencing
an injury is a traumatic experience.
Many people think it will never happen
to them. Others are lucky enough to
avoid such an event during their lives.
But most people get into accidents or
have injuries at one time or another. |
|
My clinic is here to help people get
successul treatment. However, I recognize
that insurance companies, lawyers from
the other side, have investigators,
expert witnesses, lawyers, and a lot
of money to defend themselves. Most
individuals lack such resources--and
the other side knows it! This checklist
provides information that will help
you fight back and stay in control.
|
| Isn't
it time to call the Accident and Industrial
Injury Center to schedule your free
initial consultation? |
| Call
today, at (925) 275-9350 Or:
call our toll-free 24-hour emergency
relief hotline at (800) 950-1620. |
| We're
here to help auto accident victims and
people who've suffered injurie, to experience
successful treatment, feel wonderful
again, and live an excellent lifestyle! |
|
Also, we are committed to helping wronged
patients collect the maximum cash settlement
they are owed by understanding the legal
process and working closely with the
patient's trained legal advisor. For
more information on our complete line
of health and injury services, call
today at. |
