These are ten suggested things you should not do after you have been in a car accident in Pennsylvania and have suffered an injury.
1. Don't give the insurance company permission to move your car if it's totaled until you reach an agreement on what they are paying you for the total loss.
2. Don't give any recorded statement without a lawyer. If you don't get a lawyer, don't give the statement.
3. Don't wait to go to the doctor if you are experiencing medical symptoms. The longer you wait, the more the insurance company will try to hold it against you.
4. Don't use your health insurance at the hospital or doctor's office if you have auto insurance. The medical bills must go through your auto medical coverage first. Under PA Law, it's called "no-fault" for the medical. Meaning, even if it's the other person's fault, your medicals are paid by your insurance up to the coverage limits.
5. Don't give/sign an authorization for records to the other person's insurance company.
6. Don't settle your claim until you have either consulted with an experienced personal injury lawyer, or are sure that you have reached maximum medical improvement per your doctors.
7. Don't give any written statement to the other person's insurance company.
8. Don't ignore your doctor's recommendations for treatment - follow the doctor's instructions.
9. If you are not able to work, don't leave your doctor's appointment without asking them about your work status and, if possible, have them write you a disability note for work or work restrictions note.
10. Don't sign any document, especially any release, without consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Once you release the other insurance company, they are no longer responsible no matter what happens to you medically in the future.
Note: This is not intended as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you have any questions.
