Personal Injury FAQs

The moments immediately following an accident can feel overwhelming, but taking a few important steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights.

Nothing is more important than your safety. Call 911 if there are injuries or if law enforcement should respond. If you are able, move to a safe location or follow the instructions the operator gives you based on your situation. Check whether anyone else needs emergency assistance if it’s safe to do so.

Most importantly, try to remain calm. You do not have to figure everything out at the scene.

Depending on the situation, if it is safe to do so, taking a few moments to preserve some evidence can go a long way.

• Exchange information with the other parties involved.
• Take photographs of the scene, road conditions, vehicles, property damage, and any visible injuries.
• Document any hazards that may have contributed to the accident
• Speak honestly with law enforcement but avoid guessing or speculating about what happened.
• Seek medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor.

We encourage everyone to seek medical treatment first and foremost for their health and well-being. Some injuries do not appear immediately and can be internal.

Secondly, delaying treatment can make it harder to connect your injuries to the accident later on.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., one of the first things we tell people after an accident is this: focus on your health first. Your recovery matters, and the legal process can be handled with the right guidance.

If anyone has been injured or you believe emergency assistance is needed, calling 911 is generally the right decision. Depending on the situation, a combination of fire personnel, EMT’s, police may be dispatched. Emergency responders can:

• Provide medical assistance
• Secure the accident scene
• Document what happened
• Prepare an official report when appropriate

Even if injuries appear minor, it is often better to have emergency personnel evaluate the situation rather than assume anyone is okay.

When police are called to the scene of an accident, they prepare a report that typically contains information like:

• Statements from drivers and witnesses
• Observations about the accident scene
• Weather or road conditions
• Possible contributing factors
• Citations issued

That report can become an important piece of evidence when determining how an accident or injury occurred.

However, we also understand that not every accident happens in a perfect situation. Sometimes people leave the scene without making a report. Sometimes injuries appear later. Sometimes people assume an accident is too minor to report. We have helped clients in every one of these situations.

If you were involved in an accident and do not have a police report, that does not automatically mean you do not have a claim. There may be other evidence available to help establish what happened.

We help clients understand what evidence matters and how to move forward based on their specific circumstances.

We cannot stress this enough: we encourage injured people to put their health first. You should never avoid medical treatment because you are worried about bills or whether someone else will pay. There are often options available, and we can help you understand them.

If you are injured, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is one of the most important things you can do.

Some injuries are obvious immediately after an accident. Others, including certain soft tissue injuries, back injuries, and head injuries, may not fully appear until hours or even days later.

Getting medical care serves two important purposes:

First, it protects your health by allowing doctors to identify and treat injuries early.

Second, it creates documentation showing that your injuries were evaluated and treated after the accident.

Insurance companies often look closely at medical records and treatment timelines. A delay in care can give them an opportunity to argue that your injuries were caused by something else or are not related to the accident.

Every situation is different and you have to make the best decision possible for yourself and others at the scene. Your safety should always come before protecting property. When in doubt, reach out to local law enforcement or dial 911 for guidance based on your location and situation.

If your vehicle is creating a hazard and it is safe to move it, you may be advised to relocate it to another area such as a shoulder or median to help prevent additional accidents.

However, if someone is seriously injured or the vehicle cannot be moved safely, wait for emergency responders.

Do not put yourself in danger trying to move a disabled vehicle. We cannot stress that nothing comes above your physical safety.

If possible:

• Turn on your hazard lights.
• Move yourself and any passengers to a safe location away from traffic.
• Call 911 if assistance is needed.

Emergency responders can help secure the scene and arrange for the vehicle to be removed safely.

Don’t worry. Your health should always be your first priority. Focus on your medical care.

We have worked on a number of cases where the injured party could not participate in gathering any evidence due to the severity of their injuries.

Evidence may still come from:

• Police reports
• Witnesses
• Surveillance cameras
• Vehicle inspections
• Medical records
• Photographs taken by others

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we understand that people are not always physically able to document an accident. That’s one reason a thorough investigation is so important. When we are working on behalf of the injured, thoroughly investigating is a big part of the work we do at the start of a case.

Generally, no. Leaving the scene before meeting your legal obligations can create serious legal consequences. When in doubt, contact 911 immediately.

Typically, the advice that applies to most situations is to remain at the scene, cooperate with law enforcement when appropriate, exchange the required information, and wait until you are permitted to leave.

If you require emergency medical care, your health comes first. If you are in danger physically due to a road rage incident or some other extenuating circumstance following an accident or injury, communicating as quickly as possible with local emergency services is critical if you need to leave the scene.

Following an accident, it is generally helpful to exchange:

• Names
• Contact information
• Driver’s license information
• Insurance information
• Vehicle information

If law enforcement responds, an accident report may also document much of this information. Avoid making unnecessary statements during the information exchange if you are dealing with another driver directly.

Many people instinctively apologize after an accident, even when they are simply expressing concern for another person’s well-being.

While showing compassion is natural, avoid making statements that could be interpreted as accepting responsibility before all the facts are known.

Instead, simply focus on making sure everyone is safe and cooperating with law enforcement.

Many accidents involve circumstances that are not immediately obvious. For this reason, it is usually best not to speculate about who caused the accident.

Simply explain what you observed, answer questions honestly, and allow the investigation to determine what happened.

Remain where you are and contact law enforcement immediately. Do not attempt to chase the other vehicle. Your safety is more important than trying to stop someone from leaving.

If possible, try to remember details such as:

• Vehicle description
• License plate number
• Direction of travel
• Driver description

The right choice depends on your symptoms and the seriousness of your injuries.

If you have severe pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, signs of a serious head injury, significant bleeding, possible broken bones, or any emergency symptoms, you should seek emergency medical care immediately.

For less urgent injuries, an urgent care facility or your primary care provider may be appropriate. The most important thing is not where you go—it is that you do not ignore symptoms or delay necessary treatment.

Many people minimize their injuries after an accident because they do not want to “make a big deal” out of what happened. We understand that instinct, but your health should come first.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we see many clients who initially thought they were okay but later discovered their injuries were more serious than they realized.

If you are unsure what steps to take after an accident, we are happy to help you understand your options and connect you with resources that may assist your recovery.

We have spoken to hundreds of injured people over the last 30+ years who did not feel hurt at first. In fact, it is incredibly common for people to “feel fine” immediately after an accident, especially when adrenaline is high.

Unfortunately, that does not always mean you were not injured. Some injuries take time to develop. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, numbness, dizziness, and other symptoms may not appear until later. This is incredibly common after car accidents.

Sometimes, people are in a state of pure shock and do not begin to process physical pain until later when adrenaline begins to fade.

If you were involved in an accident, it is important to pay attention to how you feel over the following hours and days. If something does not feel right, seek medical attention.

Another important point: avoid making statements to an insurance company such as “I’m fine” if you are still unsure about your condition. People often say this out of politeness or because they are still processing what happened, but those statements can later be taken out of context.

Yes, but you should be careful when speaking with insurance companies after an accident.

Insurance adjusters may contact you shortly after a crash to gather information, investigate the claim, or discuss a potential settlement. While they may seem friendly and helpful, it is important to remember that insurance companies are businesses with their own interests to protect.

Anything you say—including statements about your injuries, how the accident happened, or whether you feel responsible—may become part of the claim evaluation process.

This does not mean you should ignore insurance companies. It means you should be thoughtful about what you say and understand your rights before providing detailed statements.

We strongly encourage anyone who has been injured due to someone else’s negligence to contact a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. We often speak with insurance companies on behalf of our clients so they do not have to navigate complicated conversations while they are trying to recover. Our job is to advocate for the injured and make sure the playing field is level.

If an insurance company has contacted you after an accident, we can help you understand what they are asking for and how to protect your interests.

You should be careful before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company after an accident. We help clients understand their rights before they communicate with insurance companies. We believe you should have the opportunity to understand what is being asked and why before providing information that may impact your claim.

If an insurance company has requested a recorded statement, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney first so you understand your options.

Insurance adjusters often request recorded statements as part of their investigation. While they may present it as a routine step, the statement can become an important part of the claim process. The way questions are asked—and the way answers are interpreted—can sometimes affect how the insurance company evaluates your claim.

After an accident, people are often shaken, in pain, or still trying to understand what happened. It is easy to unintentionally leave out important details, guess at an answer, or say something that does not fully explain the situation. All of this can negatively impact your claim.

We offer free consultations. We can advise you of your rights and options, and touch on some of the common mistakes to avoid following an accident. We would love to hear from you if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence so we can help you preserve your rights.

Many people unknowingly make decisions that can make their claim more difficult. Over the years, we have helped many people avoid making common mistakes like:

• Delaying medical treatment
• Giving detailed statements before understanding their rights
• Accepting a quick settlement offer
• Posting about the accident online
• Signing documents without reviewing them carefully
• Assuming an injury is minor before being evaluated
• Discussing fault before all facts are known

One of the biggest mistakes we see is people trying to handle everything themselves while they are injured, overwhelmed, and dealing with insurance companies.

Your focus should be on your physical recovery. The legal and insurance process can be handled with the right guidance.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we often remind clients that evidence can disappear quickly. Taking a few minutes to document what happened can make a significant difference later. However, your safety comes first and we urge you to never put yourself in danger to take photographs.

Photos and videos can be some of the most valuable evidence after an accident. They help preserve details that may change, disappear, or become disputed later.

If you are physically able, consider taking photos and video of:

• Damage to all vehicles involved
• The entire accident scene
• Road conditions
• Traffic signs and signals
• Skid marks or debris
• Weather conditions
• Property damage
• Visible injuries
• Any hazards that may have contributed to the accident

Try to take both close-ups and some wider angles showing the overall scene if it is safe to do so.

For example, a picture of a damaged vehicle is helpful, but a photograph showing where the vehicles came to rest, nearby intersections, or poor road conditions may provide important context.

Ideally? No. We’d prefer our clients do not post at all on social media following an accident or injury. If you absolutely insist, we recommend being extremely careful. We understand that many people use social media to share updates with friends and family, but posts, photographs, comments, and even seemingly harmless updates can potentially be viewed by insurance companies or opposing parties. Once posted, a post lives on forever even if deleted and the ramifications can be far-reaching.

For example, a photograph of you smiling at a family event could be taken out of context and used to suggest that your injuries are not serious, even if you were experiencing pain before and after the photo was taken.

We are not suggesting you need to disappear from social media, but you should be very thoughtful about what you share while your claim is ongoing. Even people who share with limited audiences or post “friends only” can have social media posts bite them during an ongoing personal injury case.

When in doubt, consult with your attorney and think it through. At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we advise clients to avoid discussing the following topics on social media:

• The details of the accident
• Fault or responsibility
• Their injuries
• Medical treatment
• Settlement discussions
• Their legal case

Based on the countless situations we have helped clients navigate, our position is that it is best to keep details private if you are considering or have an ongoing personal injury claim.

Keeping records organized after an accident can make a significant difference in building your claim. Many expenses may be connected to an injury, and they can add up quickly. We recommend keeping copies of:

• Medical bills
• Prescription receipts
• Travel expenses related to treatment
• Vehicle repair estimates
• Rental car expenses
• Pay records showing missed work
• Out-of-pocket costs related to your recovery

It can also be helpful to keep a personal injury journal. Write down how your injuries affect your daily life, including pain levels, limitations, missed activities, and challenges you experience.

These details can become difficult to remember months later, especially when you are focused on recovery.

Yes. Clothing and footwear may provide valuable evidence, particularly in cases involving:

• Slip and falls
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents

If possible, avoid washing or repairing damaged items until they have been documented. Keep them in a plastic bag to preserve them in the condition they were in at the time of your injury.

Yes. Though your instinct may be to clean up following an accident, you should keep damaged or broken items that were worn or impacted during the accident. Be sure to keep items such as:

• Eyeglasses
• Helmets
• Cell phones
• Child safety seats
• Backpacks
• Watches
• Clothing

These may help document the force of an impact or the extent of the accident. We advise our clients to never throw damaged property away before speaking with your attorney.

Nearby businesses, homes, or traffic cameras may have captured the accident. This footage can be valuable to your personal injury case.

Depending on the accident, video may show:

• How a crash occurred
• Unsafe property conditions
• The timing of an incident
• The actions of people involved

Because many systems automatically overwrite footage after a short period of time, identifying potential cameras early may help preserve valuable evidence.

Take note of any nearby businesses or the address of any entity you think may have a camera. When we are hired, this is one of the first pieces of evidence we act to preserve on our client’s behalf.

A case does not automatically fail because there is no video.

Many successful injury claims are built using a combination of evidence, including:

• Witness testimony
• Photos
• Medical records
• Accident reports
• Physical evidence
• Expert opinions

Not every accident happens in front of a camera.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we look at the complete picture and determine what evidence can help tell your story.

Absolutely. Our memories naturally fade over time. Especially when it comes to recounting something unexpected that can feel like it happened in a split second.

As soon as you’re able, write down everything you remember while it is fresh. Key items to capture include:

• The date and time
• Weather conditions
• What you saw
• What you heard
• Conversations that took place
• How you felt afterward

Even small details may become important later and this can prove to be a few minutes of your time very well spent.

Witnesses often leave the scene quickly, making it difficult to locate them later.

Independent witnesses can provide valuable information about how an accident occurred. If possible, collect:

• Names
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses

If you don’t have a pen and paper, you can use your phone.

If law enforcement is on the scene, feel free to point out anyone who observed the incident so they can collect witness information.

Sometimes. Messages exchanged after an accident may document:

• What happened
• Your injuries
• Conversations with witnesses
• Communications with insurance companies

Avoid deleting potentially relevant messages.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., part of our role is helping clients gather and organize the information needed to support their claim. We know the personal injury process. You do not need to have a perfect file before contacting us. We can help identify what evidence is needed and how to obtain it.

After an accident, it is important to save anything related to the incident and your recovery.

Helpful documents may include:

• Police reports
• Insurance letters
• Emails or text messages from insurance companies
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Prescription information
• Employment records
• Photos and videos
• Repair estimates
• Witness information

A small piece of information may become valuable when putting together the complete timeline of what happened.

You should generally be careful about repairing or disposing of anything connected to an accident before important evidence has been documented.

Vehicle damage can sometimes help show:

• How the collision occurred
• The severity of impact
• The forces involved
• Potential contributing factors

Before making major repairs, it may be helpful to document the vehicle through photographs, inspections, or other means.

People need transportation after an accident. Our goal is not to make things more difficult—it is to help protect important evidence while moving forward.

Do not assume that repairing your vehicle means you no longer have a claim.

Important information may still exist through:

• Photographs
• Repair records
• Estimates
• Insurance inspections
• Expert evaluation

Every situation is different.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we look at what evidence remains available and how it can help explain what happened.

Potentially.

Deleting or losing important information can create unnecessary complications.

This may include:

• Photos
• Messages
• Videos
• Records
• Online posts

The best approach is usually to preserve information rather than decide later that it is not important. We help clients understand what evidence matters and how to protect it.

Sometimes.

Depending on the circumstances, electronic information may provide insight into:

• Timing
• Location
• Communications
• Activity before an accident

Every case is different, and the usefulness of electronic evidence depends on the facts involved. We evaluate all available evidence to understand the full story.

Sometimes evidence is lost because people do not realize it may become important.

Examples include:

• Surveillance footage being overwritten
• Vehicles being repaired
• Dangerous conditions being corrected
• Physical evidence being discarded

That is why early investigation matters.

Many newer vehicles contain electronic systems that record certain information about how a vehicle was operating before and during a crash.

This information, sometimes called event data recorder information, may provide details such as:

• Vehicle speed
• Braking activity
• Seatbelt use
• Other crash-related information

Whether this information is available and useful depends on the specific vehicle and circumstances.

At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we understand the importance of preserving evidence early. Valuable information can sometimes be lost if vehicles are repaired, sold, or altered before the appropriate investigation occurs.