Steps To Take After An Injury

Following these certain steps will not only help you later on when you want to file a personal injury lawsuit, but will help to maintain your well-being.

Call the Proper Authorities
If you were in a car accident for example, this would mean calling the local police to file the all-important police report and maybe get an ambulance for any injured parties from the accident. That police report will end up being vital to your case.

In 2001, more than 30 percent of personal injury lawsuits were thrown out of court because there was not a proper police report or documentation.

If you think the other party is at fault for the accident, most attorney's will advise you to remain quiet and not to converse with the at-fault party until the authorities arrive. If the other party is at fault, you do not want to be come friends with them.

Gather Your Information
If you are up to it physically after an accident, obtain insurance information from the negligent party for use later either in your personal injury trial or any attempt to get compensating for your injuries.

Be sure to ask bystander what they saw or think they saw and they can become witnesses for your case. Try to talk to a large number of people so you can find at least a handful who agree with you and pass these names off to your legal counsel if they find in necessary to use statements from these witnesses. It is very important to remember not to force any bystander to take your side if they think the accident is your fault or not the fault of the other party. Forcing them will only hurt your personal injury lawsuit and push them to take the side of the other party.

If you think the other party has been negligent and is responsible for your injuries, do not say things like “I’m sorry” or “My bad,” and do not say or do anything that might hamper your efforts at compensation for your injury or damage to your vehicle, it is best to talk as little as possible.

Contact Your Insurance Provider
Depending on the type of accident, contact your insurance company as more documentation to who is at fault. This documentation is added reports that a personal injury attorney can use in a trial. Your insurance company will also request an estimate of the damage for your car. 

Also make sure to get the insurance reference number or the name of the agent you spoke with over the phone. All this information can be used later by your lawyer.

See A Doctor
This serves a double purpose. Right after an accident, you might not feel or be able to see serious injuries. It is crucial to see a doctor to check you out and to see if you are hurt worse than you might think.

A doctor can also corroborate your injury claim and give you proper documentation that your lawyer can use in court.

Document your Treatment for you Injury
In addition to seeing a doctor, make sure to keep tabs of what it cost and who you saw to treat your injuries. No treatment is too small that a personal injury attorney cannot use in a court of law.

Having this treatment documented can help your personal injury attorney recover these costs that you paid for but that the negligent party owes you.

Don’t accept compensation without your Personal Injury Attorney
You must not accept anything without your personal injury lawyer’s consent. The defendant will try to pay you off with pennies on the dollar before your injuries become serious. Your personal injury attorney could possibly get you more damages that you are entitled to for your injuries.

For example, in 2006 there was a Nebraska man who was injured in a car accident, where the negligent party had run a stop sign and hit the man’s car. The man was given $25,000 in damages for his car and a minor shoulder injury he sustained. He became complacent, did not see a doctor, or document any of the accident or talk to any of the witnesses. The shoulder injury got worse and needed surgery. Without taking the proper steps, when he finally decided to hire an attorney, his case was dismissed.