How do I prevent auto accidents and auto accident injuries?

1.) Always obey traffic laws.

2.) Practice defensive driving.

3.) Don't drive sleepy.

4.) Don't drive when you're highly emotional.

5.) Avoid distractions like cell phones while driving.

6.) Wear your seatbelt.

7.) Place children in car seats according to traffic laws and car seat manufacturer recommendations.

8.) Don't drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What do I do if I'm in an auto accident?

1.) Stay calm. Safely drive/walk yourself to a safe location to avoid other cars and hazards.

2.) Seek appropriate emergency medical treatment. Make sure that you and others do not have life threatening injuries such as bleeding, head trauma, internal injuries.

3.) In a safe environment, collect information from witnesses of the accident, specifically people unrelated to you who saw the accident from a 3rd perspective.

4.) Exchange insurance information with parties involved. If the other party admits fault, try to get it in writing. Statements made through verbal communication are not easy to prove.

5.) If a police officer is present, obtain a copy of the traffic report. Try to make sure the information collected by the police officer is accurate.

6.) You may take pictures of the accident scene. Take pictures of the damage done to yourself, your passengers, your car, and other parties.

7.) Report the incident to your auto insurance company. If you are not at fault, the insurance company may not raise your premium. It is the law.

8.) Find a good doctor such as those at Chan Chiropractic who can: 1.) take good care of your health and 2.) manage your paperwork in case of legal matters.

How do I manage the bills associated with the auto accident?

1.) Use your Medical Payment portion of your auto insurance. This is the must-have portion of your auto insurance because it may be used to pay for medical expenses, whether or not you are at fault. In addition, it covers the passengers in your car.

2.) OR if you do not have Medical coverage on your auto insurance policy, find a quality doctor first. Then find an attorney that will work with your doctor on a lien basis. (A lien is an agreement that states that once your case is settled, payment will be made to the doctor for services rendered.)

3.) It is not recommended to settle the case early with a lump sum payment because you don't know how much medical treatment you need. No one can guarantee or predict how much treatment your body will need.

How do I avoid problems that may arise from an auto accident?

1.) Make sure you have full coverage on your auto insurance policy, including Medical Payment. Some insurance companies state that they are providing you full coverage, even though it does not include Medical Payment coverage. Medical Payment acts like health insurance for yourself and anybody in your car during the accident. It may be used whether or not you are at-fault. It is fairly cheap to purchase and can save you a lot of hassle in case of an accident.

2.) Choose a reputable insurance company, not based on the rates you pay but rather the benefits and care you get if and when you use your insurance. It may be a good resource to check out the state's insurance commissioner website http://www.insurance.ca.gov

3.) Choose a good doctor first, then choose an attorney who is willing to work with your doctor. A good doctor is more important than a good attorney! Make your health the top priority!

4.) Collect evidence of how the accident really happened. Get reputable witnesses, including the police. Take pictures.

5.) Seek treatment early, rather than later. During healing processes, the body forms scars tissue to repair torn muscles and ligaments. It is important to make sure that when you are healed that you are pain-free and able to function as before. Don't let the scar tissue limit the joint motion, muscle strength and flexibility. such limitation in motion may lead to arthritis in the future. Chiropractic is one of the best ways to help the body heal after sprains and strains associated with auto accidents. A good chiropractor should also make sure that your headache, for example, may not be confused with a more serious head injury.