I’VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT…NOW WHAT?
You Didn’t See It Coming. No One Does.
But here you are, injured from an accident.Sure, you were doing everything right. You were doing your normal routine. The last thing you expected was to find yourself in the middle of an accident that resulted in bodily injury.You’ve got several things to worry about…
- Pain, discomfort, and medical injuries
- Dealing with potential loss of income from work
- Deciding on whether to get legal help with all of this
- Figuring out how to pay medical bills
- Worrying about your family
Common Personal Injury Landmines
A great attorney will help you avoid potential accident lawsuit pitfalls. Here are a few examples that you might want to discuss with your lawyer.
1. GO TO THE DOCTOR.
Get medical attention immediately.
You might feel fine now. You might even feel like your injuries after the accident aren’t that serious.
However, many symptoms such as pain, numbness, and discomfort can take days to appear.
Seeing medical attention is good for your health and it will also strengthen your personal injury claim.
It’s important to have everything pertinent to the case documented by your doctor.
Have questions? Click here.
2. DON’T ADMIT FAULT
You may feel inclined to apologize on the scene of the accident. You might even want to admit fault to your insurance agent.
However, admitting fault can seriously jeopardize the validity of your claim.
This is one of the leading missteps.
Instead of taking blame for the accident:
• Get a detailed police report.
• Give a description of the accident with photos.
• Avoid talking to people about the case unless you need to.
3. BEGIN THINKING ABOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
You might need help navigating a personal injury claim. A personal injury attorney is experienced in dealing with accidents.
We can help you understand your legal rights. We also want to help you get the highest amount possible for your claim.
Furthermore, a personal injury attorney is a valuable asset if there is a dispute over your claim. If you end up in mediation or court, you will have peace of mind knowing that an experienced lawyer is on your side.
4. DON’T GET EMOTIONAL ON FACEBOOK
Keep it professional! Yes, you might be frustrated or flustered, but be careful of what you post on Facebook.
And any other social media platform. We’re serious!
Anything that you post on the internet can be used against you. It’s your best bet (and in your best interest) to avoid airing your case in public.
An accident is a tough time for all parties involved … but don’t over share.
Have questions about your case? Click here to ask.
5. KEEP MEDICAL BILLS AND RECEIPTS.
One of the biggest mistakes people make after an accident is throwing away medical bills and receipts.
Instead, you should keep everything. This includes prescriptions, special foods, co-payments and special equipment (such as crutches, canes or walkers).
If you can keep a detailed log of correspondence with your medical provider, that can come in handy as well.
6. CONTINUE YOUR FOLLOW-UP CARE.
Remember, many symptoms after an accident can be delayed.
Symptoms such as neck and back pain, dizziness, and general discomfort might take a few days to appear.
If these symptoms appear after the accident, it’s important to schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor.
A detailed and official record of your health will strengthen your personal injury claim.
7. DON’T SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT SPEAKING TO YOUR LAWYER.
Better safe than sorry.
Do NOT sign anything until you consult with your accident attorney. Even simple and “innocent” releases can have fine print that waives injury claims.
There are some cases where a signature permits the at-fault insurance company to see your medical records. This violates your privacy!
To avoid this, check with your personal injury attorney before signing anything.