Do’s and Don’ts to Protect Your Injury Claim

After a crash, fall, dog bite, or other injury, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Insurance calls may start immediately, symptoms can change day to day, and you may be trying to keep up with work and family while you heal. The good news is that you do not need to know every rule to protect your claim. A few smart habits early on can prevent avoidable problems later.

At the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell, we put this list together based on what we see during consultations and intake. Use it as a practical guide, and if you have questions about your situation, we offer a free consultation.

Do

• Get medical care promptly and follow the treatment plan.
• Report the incident when appropriate (police, property management, or animal control) and save the report number.
• Take photos and video of the scene (wide shots and close-ups), hazards, vehicles, and visible injuries.
• Photograph injuries over time, since bruising and swelling often change in the first days.
• Collect contact information for witnesses and anyone involved.
• Write down what happened while it is fresh (date, time, location, and sequence of events).
• Keep every document and receipt related to the injury: medical paperwork, prescriptions, co-pays, mileage and parking, repair estimates, rental costs, and insurance letters.
• Track missed work and restrictions in a simple log (days missed, reduced hours, modified duties, and doctor work notes).
• Keep a short weekly symptom note about sleep, driving, lifting, standing, household tasks, and activities you had to stop.
• Save physical evidence (helmets, shoes, torn clothing, defective products, broken parts) in the condition it was in after the incident.
• Tell us right away if a public entity may be involved, such as a city, county, state agency, public school, or government vehicle, since notice requirements can be much shorter.

Don’t

• Do not delay treatment or ignore new or worsening symptoms.
• Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company without legal guidance.
• Do not guess about fault, speed, distances, or what you “could have done differently.”
• Do not sign releases, accept settlement terms, or cash checks without having them reviewed.
• Do not throw away, repair, return, or alter evidence tied to the incident.
• Do not miss appointments or stop treatment without a clear, documented reason.
• Do not minimize symptoms to medical providers or leave out how the injury affects daily life.
• Do not post about the accident or your injuries on social media.
• Do not delete posts, messages, photos, or videos without legal advice.
• Do not hand over broad medical authorizations without understanding what records are being requested and why.
• Do not assume the insurance company will gather helpful evidence or calculate wage loss and expenses accurately.
• Do not wait too long to get legal advice, especially if the adjuster is pressuring you to settle quickly.

Talk With Us About Your Case

If you were injured in California and want clear guidance on what to do next, contact the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell for a free consultation. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, and you pay no attorney fees unless there is a recovery.