After a serious crash or workplace incident, confusion is normal. But catastrophic injury claims are time-sensitive. The first few days are often where cases are won or lost.
Do these things early:
- Get medical care immediately (and follow the treatment plan). In California, consistent medical documentation is critical when insurers dispute severity or causation.
- Write down a timeline while memories are fresh: what happened, where you were traveling (commute, errands, work route), what you noticed, and how symptoms changed.
- Preserve evidence from the scene: photos of injuries, vehicle/scene conditions, street markings, skid marks, signage, and any visible safety hazards.
- Request incident and traffic information when applicable. For car and truck collisions, the official report and any dashcam or witness details can become central.
Avoid these common traps:
- Don’t give recorded statements to insurers without understanding how they may use your words.
- Don’t accept a quick offer before your medical team confirms the full extent of your injuries.
- Don’t rely on “it will get better” assumptions when the injury involves brain damage, spinal injury, or severe burns.


