Dos and Don’ts After a Car Accident Injury
Key Takeaways
After a car accident, it's important to get medical care right away, report the crash, and gather key information so there is a clear record linking your injuries to the accident.
Avoid admitting fault, giving recorded statements, posting on social media, or accepting a quick settlement before speaking with a lawyer who can protect your interests.
Photos, medical records, receipts, and notes about your symptoms help show the full impact of the crash and support your right to compensation.
A car accident can leave you dealing with pain, stress, and uncertainty all at once. What you do in the hours and days that follow can directly affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. Our Honolulu, HI car accident lawyer outlined the steps below to help you protect yourself, document your injuries, and avoid common mistakes that can hurt your claim.
What You Should Do
Do get medical care right away.
Even if you feel okay at first, some injuries take time to show symptoms. A prompt medical evaluation protects your health and creates a record linking your injuries to the crash. Follow all treatment recommendations and attend follow-up visits.
Do report the accident and gather basic information.
Call the police and request a report. Exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver, and get the names of any witnesses. This information becomes important later if there is a dispute about what happened.
Do document everything.
Take photos of the vehicles, the roadway, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Keep copies of medical records, receipts, and repair estimates. Write down your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. These records help show the full impact of the accident.
Do notify your insurance company promptly.
Report the crash within the time frame required by your policy. Stick to the facts and avoid speculation. If you are injured, request the contact information for your personal injury protection adjuster and provide it to your medical providers.
Do speak with a lawyer early.
When injuries are involved, it helps to get legal guidance as soon as possible. Our Hawaii auto accident attorney can review your situation, deal with the insurance company, and help you understand what your claim may be worth.
What You Should Avoid
Don’t admit fault or make any assumptions about what happened.
It is common to want to apologize after a crash, but statements like “I’m sorry” can be used against you. Stick to the facts when speaking with police or insurers.
Don’t ignore your doctor’s instructions or skip follow-up care.
Missing appointments or stopping treatment too soon can slow your recovery and create gaps in your medical record. Insurance companies often use these gaps to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. Consistent care helps support both your health and your case.
Don’t give recorded statements without legal advice.
Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement soon after the accident. You are not required to provide one right away. It is often better to speak with an attorney before answering detailed questions.
Don’t post about the accident on social media.
Photos, comments, or updates can be taken out of context and used to challenge your claim. It is safest to avoid posting until your case is resolved.
Don’t accept a quick settlement without review.
Early settlement offers are often lower than what your claim may actually be worth, especially if future medical care is needed. Once you accept an offer, you usually cannot go back and ask for more.
Protect Your Health and Your Claim
After a car accident, your focus should be on healing and getting back to your routine. Taking the right steps from the beginning can make a meaningful difference in how your claim is handled and what compensation you receive.
At Daniel T Pagliarini AAL, we represent people across Hawaii who have been hurt in auto accidents and are facing unfair treatment from insurance companies. Our lead attorney Dan Pagliarini has over three decades of personal injury law experience; we've secured substantial settlements for automobile accident injury victims, and we're ready to do the same for you. If you have questions about what to do next, contact us today for a free consultation, and let us take it from here.
