Auto Incident Evidence & Consultation Prep Desk

Structure your collision chronology, compare coverage limits against estimated damages, and generate targeted consultation questions before speaking with a licensed attorney.

Incident Intake

Incident Identifier / File Tag

Incident Date

Incident Time

Specific Location / Intersecting Crossings

Police Agency & Report Number

Add Timeline Event

Event Date & Time

Policy & Loss Comparison

Estimated Vehicle Loss ($)

Medical Expenses to Date ($)

At-Fault Bodily Injury Limit ($)

Your UIM Bodily Injury Limit ($)

Your MedPay / PIP Limit ($)

Estimated Lost Income ($)

Documented Events

Span: 4 Days

Total Documented Loss

$23,450

Property + Medical + Wages

At-Fault Coverage Gap

Calculated from limits

Consultation Red Flags

3 Detected

Action items for attorney

Chronological Incident Stream

5 chronological entries recorded

Coverage Limit vs. Claimed Loss Comparison

Examines user-entered policy thresholds against incurred economic damages. Does not constitute insurance coverage guarantee.

Damage / Loss Head	Incurred Amount	Applicable Policy Tier	Limit Available	Coverage Status

California Statutory Context & Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Mechanics

In California, under California Insurance Code § 11580.2, Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is designed to bridge the difference between the at-fault driver's bodily injury liability limits and your actual covered losses up to your personal UIM limit. If the at-fault driver carried only the state minimum limit and your medical expenses surpass that amount, your own insurer may be liable for the surplus subject to policy offsets.

Ready. Intake data and calculations remain strictly in this browser tab.

When to Consult a Licensed Attorney

While minor vehicle property-only claims with indisputable fault can often be settled directly with an insurance adjuster, several high-impact triggers strongly warrant formal consultation:

Disputed Liability: When the police report cites conflicting statements, or both parties claim they had a green light or right-of-way.
Delayed-Onset Physical Symptoms: Whiplash, disc herniations, concussions, or soft tissue injuries often emerge 24 to 72 hours after impact.
Substantial Medical Expenses Surpassing Statutory Limits: At-fault drivers carrying minimal liability limits require evaluation for UIM or third-party employer liability.
Requests for Recorded Statements: Adjusters may ask leading questions designed to lock in admissions before injuries are fully medically diagnosed.

Evidence Best Practices & Preservation

Attorneys and insurance claims adjusters evaluate claims on documented contemporaneous evidence rather than uncorroborated memory:

Preserve Unedited Metadata: Keep digital photos and dashcam clips in their native files with original EXIF timestamp and GPS coordinates.
Maintain Medical Continuity: Gaps between the collision date and first medical evaluation are frequently leveraged by insurance carriers to dispute causation.
Log Every Professional Contact: Record the date, time, adjuster name, phone number, and claim number for every communication received.
Statute of Limitations Awareness: Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, the personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the incident date (or six months if a government entity is involved under the California Tort Claims Act).