1. Many people do not notice their injuries until hours or even days after the accident. Serious injuries are often left untreated for days because people think pain and discomfort are normal after a wreck.  It is important to be checked out by a qualified medical provider as soon as possible to eliminate life threatening injuries that frequently do not exhibit serious symptoms. 



2. After medical treatment, obtain photos of the damage to your vehicle, the wreck scene and any other vehicle involved.



3. Obtain photos of any of your visible injuries.



4. Document the names and contact information of any witnesses.



5. Get the name, contact information and insurance information of the other involved drivers.



6. Call law enforcement immediately so that they can secure the crash scene and document the accident.



7. DO NOT make any statements regarding your fault or partial fault for the collision as well as injuries. Often, after a wreck, people do not think clearly and insurance carriers will use the trauma and the adrenaline to adapt to a new situation to obtain statements that are not accurate.  For example, as #1 above explained, many injuries, including life threatening injuries, can go undetected for days.  A statement to an insurance carrier could easily include the following response, "No, I'm not injured" when, in fact, there is serious injury.   

We understand the desire to try to handle your injury claim without the involvement of a lawyer, but you should be aware that insurance companies have only their best interests in mind. Many adjusters are bonused for settling claims without a claimant being represented by a laywer.  They are bonused because it saves the insurance carriers and the insurance industry money.  The simple fact is, the vast majority of injured claimants receive more (and accurate) compensation with a lawyer representing their interests as opposed to settling their claim without reprentation.  This holds true even after the lawyer earns a fee.  

Insurance companies frequently try to obtain information they do not have a right to. Often injured            people or family members of an injured relative are given inaccurate representations of what they are entitled to under the law and pressured into making hasty decisions. When confronted with this situation, the focus should be on healing. Our firm is well versed in Montana insurance law. We handle the paperwork and the insurance companies which allows our clients the time and freedom to heal.

You should seek the advice of a laweyr before contacting an insurance adjuster.  This holds true even for your own insurance company. Insurance adjusters represent the best interests of the insurance company.  It is the job of the insurance adjuster to settle the case for as little as possible and as quickly as possible.  Once you settle your claim, you are not able to re-negotiate later.  This is true even if it is your own insurance company.