The following information is a Bare-Bones Guide for those who have had a motor vehicle accident and wish to get and keep all they are entitled to. It details the basics of what you need to know to handle and settle your insurance claim.

Other than the fact that one must obtain from the other operator both their drivers license and motor vehicle registration information you should also proceed to do the following:

CLOSELY LOOK FOR EYE WITNESSES: Be sure to make a note of their names and addresses. Later, if at all possible, jot down the investigating police officers name and badge number. WEATHER CONDITIONS: Was it snowing, raining, sleeting, foggy or misty? ROAD SURFACE: Dry/wet/slippery or icy/etc. IMPACT AREA: City or sub-urban? Business or wooded? VISIBILITY: Sunny or cloudy? Dusk/night or moonlight, etc ? (Was the sun in the other driver’s face)? TRAFFIC CONTROLS: Were there overhead lights? Posted speed limit signs? Stop or warning signs? Hospital or School Zone signs? CREATE A DIAGRAM OF THE IMPACT AREA: Flat, crowned, straight or curved? Macadam, asphalt or concrete? Cobblestone/dirt/etc. Indicate width of street(s). Show exact location of impact, gouge and/or skid marks. CONDITION OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT STRUCK YOU: Age and general overall condition. Is the state inspection sticker displayed and up-to-date? Were chains or snow tires necessary? SNAP PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT: It’s very important to take pictures of: Skid or gouge mark’s on the road surface plus the damage to both vehicles. As soon as possible (plus every day or so as time goes by) it’s absolutely crucial to the value of your claim to snap a multitude of colored photos (up close and from different angles) of your bodily injuries (if there are any) - - even your black and blue bruises and/or marks.   It would also benefit you to snap photos of bumper mechanisms, i.e.. bumpers and underneath where the isolators are.  Unlike other states, no collision reconstructionists are around here and they always take pictures of this for future reference to damages and calculations not necessarily obtained from road surface.

Why ? Because they make up the foundation of the calculations used to award damages (including the extra amount paid to you for your “Pain and Suffering”) for any financial loss that flows directly from the motor vehicle accident and the injury you may have sustained.

(1) YOUR MEDICAL EXPENSES: Be sure to obtain all bills and services rendered plus (if they do exist) the “Final Reports” regarding your physical condition from your Doctor of Chiropractic, any other "Specialist" and/or Dentist. Medical Expenses Typically Include: Ambulance ~ Emergency Room ~ Hospital or Clinic ~ Laboratory Fees and Services ~ Diagnostic Tests: (X-rays and/or CT Scan) ~ Registered or Practical Nurse Fees ~ Medicine and/or Prescription Medications ~ Prosthetic Appliances or Surgical Apparatus (Canes & crutch, etc.) ~ Physical Therapy ~ Ace Bandages, Gauze & Tape ~ Heating Pads ~ Creams, Ointments, Balms & Salves.) These reports should include the length of time of your “Total Disability” and/or your “Partial Disability”. These are of enormous value because they justify both your “Pain and Suffering” and also your lost wages. YOUR NON-MEDICAL DAMAGE EXPENSES: These include: Lost Wages and Earnings ~ Lost Vacation Time and/or Sick Leave ~ Travel Expenses: (Transportation costs incurred getting to and from The Chiropractor and/or Hospital, etc.) ~ Household Help During Disability ~ Child Care During Recuperation.

(2) LOST TIME FROM WORK - - LOST WAGES: The hours, days, and perhaps even the weeks you were unable to work (thus the money you may have lost must be added up and documented on company letterhead. You’re often entitled to compensation for lost time and earnings even if you have no actual loss of money ! Such as, for example, when your salary is paid by another insurance policy or by taking sick leave or some similar arrangement. ONE HUGE AREA THAT’S OFTEN IGNORED: It doesn’t matter if you are employed full time, part time, self-employed, own your own business, are retired, unemployed or a housewife not employed outside the home - - you should keep a written record of all household help and/or child care that may be needed during your period of disability pay these costs by personal check to prove what you paid out as being a legitimate cost.

(3) PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: (What is stated below is a very brief review. More detailed information can be found in CHAPTER FIVE: PROPERTY DAMAGE, of the book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss).

“AGREED COST TO REPAIR”: In the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents this figure has been negotiated between your damage repair person and the insurance adjuster. COLLISION: There is usually a deductible. Read your policy. (If you’re not at fault you should be able to get this money back). PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY: Protects you for damages you may have done to the property of another (I.a. his motor vehicle, trees, lawn, shrubs, mailbox, garage, home, etc.). EXCLUSIONS: These are stated in your policy. A good rule of thumb is, “If it’s not excluded, it’s covered”. (Read your policy so as to know your exclusions and how they apply). TOTAL LOSS: A “Total Loss” is when the motor vehicle damage exceeds the value of the vehicle, as stated in the Official Property Damage Booklets. OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: Clothing, jewelry, watches, eye or sunglasses, etc. You can also collect for your (or any other persons) personal property which happened to be in the car and was damaged. (Be sure to have written proof of the cost of each item damaged, plus the date it was purchased). And don’t forget: You’re entitled to be reimbursed for any charges you may have incurred for towing, storage and/or substitute motor vehicle rental or any other alternate transportation.

(4) WHAT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR'S REPORT WILL OFTEN STATE: If at all possible each “Injury Evaluation Factor” will most likely be clearly stated in his report: For example: Your disability is solely the result of the accident. If there were any pre-existing conditions aggravated by your injuries? What treatments were administered and for what duration? What medications were prescribed, in what amounts and for how long? What symptoms or medical problems were such medications meant to relieve? Were there any adverse reactions demonstrated? Your Chiropractors Medical Report explains the nature, extent and frequency of the pain that an injury, such as yours, will likely cause. PROGNOSIS: This is the “clearly stated” information regarding your personal injury progress and should include: The part played by a pre-existing condition, if any? Their prediction of possible future temporary disability/impairments? Does the individual attending you anticipate any further or future treatments? YOUR TOTAL DISABILITY: This should be stated in weeks and days. YOUR PARTIAL DISABILITY: This too should be stated in weeks and days. (More details regarding both “Partial” and “Total” Disability - - including the incredible value it provides for you when it comes time to settle your Personal Injury claim- - can be found in my book by reading CHAPTER SIX: YOUR BODILY INJURY).

(5) MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE: If you have this coverage on your motor vehicle policy, (and most of you do or should) it will pay you, up to certain limits, for all medical bills arising out of the accident - - regardless of who’s at fault! (You must read your policy carefully because the “Who”, “Why” and “How” often differs). A WORD ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS: In certain instances, it may be possible to have your medical bills paid (and yet avoid any repayment) by tapping into your non-motor vehicle health insurance, or some other insurance plan you may have. (Yes, this means that under certain circumstances, you may be able to collect twice for the same medical bills)!

All the information necessary for you to deal with and handle these specific issues are spelled out in AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss): Found in CHAPTER SEVEN: INSURANCE ADJUSTER ~ CHAPTER NINE: HOW TO NEGOTIATE WITH AN ADJUSTER ~ CHAPTER TEN: STALEMATE! YOU AND THE ADJUSTER AGREE TO DISAGREE ~ CHAPTER TWELVE: SOME VARIOUS INSURANCE AND CLAIM HANDLING INSIGHTS.

For a far more comprehensive examination of motor vehicle accident insurance claims and how to settle them for more money, including a detailed explanation of Dan Baldyga's unique BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation Formula) which will allow you to determine the value of your “Pain and Suffering”, read AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss). This book explains, in simple language, “How To” handle your motor vehicle property damage and/or personal injury accident claim, so you won’t be taken advantage of !To download an e-Book, or purchase a book that’s printed and bound, go to http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com  or to  http://www.car accidentclaims.com.

DISCLAIMER:  The only purpose of this article MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ~ INSURANCE CLAIM GUIDE ~ is to help people understand the motor vehicle claim process. Dan Baldyga, Dr. George Langlitz III, nor PHYSICIANS PLUS make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever, NOR purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service, NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like.Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.