Contact your auto insurance company and open an auto claim if you are involved in a car accident. Provide the following information to your insurance company when you file your bodily injury claim:

• Date and time of the auto accident.
• Whether or not a police report was filed.
• Names of the persons involved in the car crash.
• If you were escorted away from the accident in an ambulance.
• Costs of initial hospital or medical bills.

Contacting Your Personal Physician After the Car Accident

In addition to contacting your car insurance company and opening the insurance claim, also visit your physician. Insurance companies are in business to make money. If they can lower their out-of-pocket expenses by minimizing your injuries or stating that the injuries were pre-existing, they might.

Ask your physician to examine you and determine if you suffered a bodily injury as a result of the car accident. Be prepared to give your insurance company a copy of your physician’s findings.

Further Medical Examinations After Filing the Auto Claim

Your insurance company might request that you also be seen by a physician of their choosing. While you are examined by their physician, remember to continue to see your personal doctor for checkups and treatments as well.

If your insurance company adjuster request that you make a recorded statement regarding your bodily injury claim you might want to contact an attorney before you make the statement.

Details that you provide to your insurance agent or claim adjuster will be used to evaluate who was at fault in the accident and how much damages the insurance company should pay to you or a third injured party (i.e. driver of the other vehicle).

Sample Bodily Injury Claim Questions

After you open your bodily injury claim, the adjuster will ask you a series of questions such as:

• Are you experiencing any continuing discomfort or pain associated with the injury?
• Have you been treated for similar injuries before (prior to the accident)?
• Do you remain under doctor care?
• What is your physician’s name and contact information?

If you were not the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a car accident but you suffered injuries, you can contact your own insurance company to open the bodily injury claim. You can also contact the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident and open an injury claim.