Your “Motor Vehicle” can be a truck, car, motorcycle - - you name it! If it’s
powered by a motor and has one, two, three, four (or even more) wheels this
“Guide” is for you.

The information below is a bare-bones “Guide” for those who have had such a
motor vehicle accident. It details the basics of how one should with their
property damage and/or personal injury claim.

AFTER IMPACT CHECKLIST

We heartily suggest you make a copy of this "Impact Checklist" to be kept
handy within the confines of your motor vehicle. A “Guide” to refer to so you’ll
be certain, should an accident take place, that you’ve covered everything.

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:

IMMEDIATELY MAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF: Names and addresses of eye witnesses. And
later the investigating police officers name and badge number. WEATHER
CONDITIONS: Snow, rain, fog, mist, sleet, etc. ROAD SURFACE: Dry, wet, slippery,
icy, etc.IMPACT AREA: City, suburban, business, wooded, etc. VISIBILITY: Sunny,
cloudy, dusk, night, 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: Driving area:
Flat, crowned, straight, curved, macadam, asphalt, concrete, cobblestone, dirt,
etc. Indicate the width of street. Show the location of impact, gouge and/or
skid marks. CONDITION OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT STRUCK YOU: Age and general overall
condition. Is their state inspection sticker displayed and up to date? Were
chains or snow tires needed? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE RETURN TO THE SCENE AND SNAP
PHOTOGRAPHS: It’s most important to take pictures of: Skid or gouge mark’s on
the road surface plus the damage to both vehicles. PHOTOS OF YOUR BODILY
INJURIES: It's crucial to the ultimate value of your claim to snap a multitude
of colored photos (up close and from different angles) of your bodily injuries -
- especially all black and blue marks or bruises.

INSIGHTS INTO HANDLING YOUR CLAIM (There Are Six Areas You Must Be Familiar
With) 1. Out-Of-Pocket Expenses 2. Lost Time From Work - Lost Wages 3. Property
Damage Losses 4. What Your Medical Doctor And/Or Chiropractor Reports Should
State 5. Medical Payments Coverage 6. What To Do If An Adjuster Refuses To
Cooperate

You Should Go Into Detail Regarding These (Below Listed) Six Areas:

(1) OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:These are expenses that can be measured in
definite sums of money. They are the foundation of the calculations used to
award damages (including that often great and extra amount paid to you for your
“Pain and Suffering”) regarding any financial loss flowing directly from the
injury you may have sustained.

MEDICAL EXPENSES: Obtain all bills and services rendered. (Prior to their
being sent out, you have ever right to ask for and read the crucial Final
Reports regarding your physical condition from your Doctor, Chiropractor,
“Medical 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. As you read
them make sure these Medical Reports include the length of time of your “Total
Disability” and/or your “Partial Disability”. These are of enormous value
because they justify the often HUGE, extra payment made for your “Pain and
Suffering” . (Plus this information will also prove your claim for Lost Wages).

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 Doctor and/or Hospital, etc.) ~ Household Help
During Disability ~ Child Care During Recuperation.

(2) LOST TIME FROM WORK - - LOST WAGES - - YOUR "LOSS EARNING CAPACITY": The
weeks, hours and/or days you were unable to work (thus the money you may have
lost) is 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, if your salary is paid by some other insurance
coverage you may have or by taking sick leave or some other similar arrangement.
It doesn’t matter if you're employed full time, part time, self-employed, own
your own business, retired, unemployed, or a housewife not employed outside the
home, you should keep a written record of all household help and/or child care
needed during your disability period.

All of these constitute an element of your “SPECIAL DAMAGES” mainly "Lost
Wages". Insurance companies usually don't view your time away from work (because
of an injury) as “Lost Time And Earnings” but as “Lost Earning Capacity”. In
most states one is entitled to compensation for lost time and earnings even if
they have no loss of money. For example, when your salary is paid for by another
insurance coverage you have or by taking sick leave and/or some other similar
type of arrangement. There are specific situations to be considered and called
to the forefront when it comes to being employed either full-time or part-time.
More detailed information (regarding these above stated area’s of your loss) are
found in CHAPTER FOUR “Damages” within the book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY
INSURANCE CLAIM.

(3) PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: “AGREED COST TO REPAIR”: This figure has been
negotiated between your damage repair person and the insurance adjuster. Be sure
you know (and possess a written copy of) exactly what that figure is.COLLISION:
There's usually a deductible. Read your policy. (If you’re not at fault you
should eventually be able to get this money back).PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY:
Protects you for damages you do to the property of another (i.e. his or her
trees, lawn, shrubs, mailbox, 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
closely to discover 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 within all of the up-to-date and “Official” Property Damage books and/or
documents. OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: Clothing, jewelry, watches, eye or
sunglasses, etc. You can also collect for your (or any other individuals)
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). Never forget: You’re entitled to be reimbursed for any charges you
may have incurred for towing, storage and/or substitute motor vehicle rental, or
for that matter - - any other alternate transportation.

The above is a very brief review. For more in-depth information read CHAPTER
FIVE: PROPERTY DAMAGE found in AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM.

(4) WHAT YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR AND/OR CHIROPRACTOR REPORT SHOULD STATE: Each
“Injury Evaluation Factor” should be clearly stated within each of your final
Medical Reports. For example: That 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? Ask to read them before they're sent to the adjuster so you're
sure it explains the nature, plus the 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 any possible future temporary
disability/impairments? Does the individual attending you anticipate any further
or future treatments? LENGTH OF YOUR “TOTAL” DISABILITY: Why? Because it's so
important (when it comes time to settle) this is clearly stated in weeks and
days. LENGTH OF YOUR “PARTIAL” DISABILITY: Again (and for the same reason as
above) this too should be clearly stated in weeks and days. (Specific details,
regarding both “Partial” and “Total” Disability , and the incredible value it
provides for you in your claim, are found in CHAPTER SIX: YOUR BODILY INJURY).

(5) MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE: If you have this coverage in your motor
vehicle policy, it will pay (up to the limits stated) 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/or “How” of this 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
health insurance coverage, or some other plan you may have. (Yes, this means,
under certain circumstances, you may be able to collect twice for the same
medical bills)!

(6) WHAT TO DO IF THE ADJUSTER REFUSES TO COOPERATE? These Are Your Usual And
Routine Choices: a. Threaten that you're going to obtain the services of a
lawyer to represent you. b. Go over the adjuster’s head. c. Resolve your loss in
Small Claims Court. d. Contact the proper people (working through the State
Department of Insurance) implementing the time honored principle of “Good Faith”
vs. “Bad Faith”.