INSIDER ACCIDENT LAWYERS
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FROM THE INSIDER LAWYER PERSONAL INJURY PLAYBOOK

Injured in a Car Accident?
Here’s Exactly What to Do.

Written by former insurance defense lawyers. The insurance company already has a playbook for your claim — this page gives you yours. Follow these steps to protect your health, your evidence, and the full value of your case.

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The 10 Steps That Protect Your Claim

  1. Get to safety and call 911. Move out of traffic if you can. Request police and medical response — the official report starts here.
  2. Get medical attention even if you feel fine. Soft-tissue injuries often don’t hurt until hours or days later — and adjusters treat delayed treatment as proof you weren’t hurt.
  3. Photograph everything. Both vehicles from multiple angles, the whole scene, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and your visible injuries.
  4. Get witness contact information. Independent witnesses are gold — they have no stake in the outcome, which makes them credible to adjusters and jurors.
  5. Get the police report number and the officer’s name before leaving the scene.
  6. Exchange information — but never admit fault. Even a polite “I’m sorry” can end up in the claim file.
  7. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. You are not required to, and it exists to lock you into a story before you know your injuries.
  8. Report the accident to your own insurer — you have a duty to cooperate with your policy — but stick to the basic facts.
  9. Start a symptom diary and keep every bill. Medical records are the backbone of your claim; gaps and inconsistencies are what adjusters use against you.
  10. Talk to a lawyer before accepting anything. The first offer is a negotiating tactic — typically a fraction of what the insurer has already set aside for your claim.

Insider Insight: The Reserve They Never Tell You About

Soon after you file a claim, the insurance company sets a reserve — the maximum amount it expects your claim could cost. Their first offer is deliberately far below that number. As an illustration from our playbook: a claim reserved at $60,000 might open with a $12,000 offer, hoping you’ll take it before you know better. Adjusters are evaluated and rewarded on how much of the reserve they save. Negotiation isn’t rude — it’s expected. Never accept the first number.

Go Deeper: The Full Guide

At the Scene: The First 30 Minutes →
Before You Talk to the Insurance Company →
What Your Claim Is Really Worth →

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Tell us what happened. An attorney — not a call center — will review your case. 100% confidential. No obligation. No fee unless we win.

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Common Questions

There is no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee — you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Your first consultation is free.

In most cases, the California statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. Some deadlines are shorter when a government entity is involved. We can confirm the deadline that applies to your situation.

Before giving a recorded statement or accepting an offer, consider speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can affect your claim.

You may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage or other sources. We can review your policy and the facts of your case to identify every available source of recovery.

Insider Accident Lawyers · 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1620, Los Angeles, CA 90010 · (213) 371-5315

Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information from the Insider Lawyer Personal Injury Playbook and is not legal advice about your specific situation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.