California
Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Don't try to be "tough" or ignore aches and pains that occur in the hours and days following the auto accident. Let a licensed doctor decide whether you are injured or to what extent you may be injured, and what treatment would be required, if any.

While at the scene of the accident, if you think there is any possibility you may have been injured, or notice you suddenly do not feel well, or are badly shaken up, if is safer to err on the side of caution. Call 911, and allow an ambulance or paramedic to be called to that they can make check you out properly. You may be in shock from the accident. You also probably lack the necessary medical training. You may avoid further serious injury simply by having a medical professional assess your condition immediately, and take you to a hospital--if necessary.

If you are bleeding, ask someone to apply pressure or use a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. If you have a head injury, let someone know immediately, as you may lose consciousness and be unable to assist the paramedics by the time they arrive.

Have your medical health plan or other health insurance information available to pay for your emergency medical treatment.

If you have medical payments coverage or "med-pay" coverage on your automobile policy, this coverage might also be available to pay for medical treatment and also may cover co-pays, deductibles, and other out of pocket expenses.

If you do not have health insurance coverage or medical payments coverage through your auto policy, you may be able to get your medical bills paid by other means such as Medi-Cal, Medicare

If you have no insurance and public assistance is not available, you may be able to obtain treatment on a lien basis. An attorney may be able to help you find health care providers willing to treat on a lien.

If your car or truck was badly damaged that it is not drivable or will need substantial repairs making your vehicle unavailable for use, you will want to get suitable alternate transportation. Many insurance policies have comprehensive collision coverage which will pay to cover the cost of car rental. Be careful though, because many policies limit rental reimbursement to a set number of days and you will want to return the rental car before that time expires or run the risk of being responsible for rental car fees exceeding the limit.

If you need to miss work because of your injury or needed treatment, inform your employer in writing and get a "doctor's note" to give to your employer to clear your absence.

Locate and make a copy of your "declarations page" in your insurance policy, and have an attorney review it so he or she can discuss with you what types of coverages are available to assist with your claim.

Before making a claim with the other person's insurance company, it is advisable to call an experienced attorney, who can probably give you a good idea whether you are likely to need an attorney under the particular circumstances of your case. Most reputable personal injury attorneys will provide such a consultation free of charge.

For further information, you may call one of our experienced personal injury lawyers toll free at (877) 593-2777 (or a local number below).

Or you can email us directly by clicking the email button in the upper right hand corner of this page to learn what your rights are whether you need a lawyer to help you in presenting your claim.