It happened. You were injured in an accident. Maybe someone rear-ended you, you fell on a slippery floor, or your neighbor’s dog attacked you. Whatever happened, it happened, and now you are left to deal with the consequences. So, what do you do? How do you recover your medical expenses (and other losses) and protect your legal rights?
1. Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible.
The first and most important thing to do after any accident is always to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is true even if you think you feel fine. Many serious injuries – including injuries to the brain and spine – do not have immediate symptoms. However, if you delay in seeking treatment, your injuries could get worse before they get better.
In addition to being important to your health, seeking medical treatment is also critical to your personal injury claim. Without a thorough diagnosis and plan for treatment and recovery, you will not know how much money you need in order to cover your losses.
2. Take Photos at the Scene of the Accident.
If at all possible, you should take photos at the scene of the accident. Using your phone, photograph the scene, your injuries, and anything else that you think might possibly be relevant to your claim. Not only could these photos prove to be key evidence in your claim for compensation, but they may also help refresh your memory when you need to recall exactly what happened later on.
3. Avoid the Insurance Companies and Social Media.
When it comes to your personal injury claim, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. In the “what not to do” category is talking to pretty much anyone about the accident.
While the insurance companies will ask you lots of questions and you may find it temping to post about the accident on social media, you should restrain yourself from commenting on what happened. The insurance companies will try to use your statements against you, and defense attorneys may try to use your social media posts to minimize your claim for damages.
4. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice.
The reason to avoid the insurance companies and social media is that you do not want to end up making a mistake that could hurt your personal injury claim. The same goes for following your doctor’s advice. If your doctor tells you to rest and you show up at work the next day, the insurance companies and defense lawyers may try to use this to argue that you don’t need to be fully compensated.
5. Get Help from an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney.
With all of this in mind, the best way to protect yourself is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. By working with an attorney, you can make sure you do everything you should (and avoid doing anything you shouldn’t) in order to protect your legal rights. To learn more about how an attorney can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries, feel free to call our office today.
Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A. | Crestview Personal Injury Attorneys
At Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A., we provide experienced legal representation for accident victims in the Crestview area. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision, dog attack, slip and fall, or accident involving a defective product, contact us today for a free consultation.