5 Things You Should Do After Being Injured
Personal injuries can happen anywhere. You might fall down in your company parking lot. You could get hit by a car while on an evening walk. Someone could strike you in a domestic dispute. Each situation is unique and each situation will require different action, though there are five things you should always do after being injured.
1. Seek Medical Attention
If you have serious injuries, you should head straight to the emergency room. If you are unable to get yourself there, call 911 and ask for a paramedic to assist you with an ambulance. If your injuries aren’t very serious, it’s still important you seek immediate medical attention, as they could be more serious than you realize.
2. Report the Accident
If you were in a situation such as a car accident, you’re required to call the authorities to report it. The responding officer can make an official report of the accident. If your injury doesn’t require the presence of a police officer, you’ll still need to report the injury to the at-fault party’s insurance company, and possibly your own insurer as well. If the injury was at work, you should report it to your employer.
3. Hang on to Evidence
Take pictures of your injuries and the scene of the accident. Collect contact information for witnesses. Hang on to all medical bills. Ask your medical providers for health reports. Request a record from your employer that shows you’ve lost wages. All of these things can be used as evidence when you’re dealing with the insurance company, as well as if you end up in court.
4. Stay Out of the Spotlight
You don’t want to make any public statements about your injury until the case has been concluded. Even posting about the injury on social media could open you up to public scrutiny, and could give the opposing side ammunition to use against you. Keep yourself out of the spotlight while your case is in the works.
5. Get in Touch with a Personal Injury Lawyer
A lawyer, can help you work through the insurance claims process, as well as the legal process of filing a lawsuit against the responsible party. Your lawyer can also walk you through the different steps that should be taken after your accident.
Get Started Today
There’s no time to waste, as there is a statute of limitations that restricts the time you have to file a claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer today to get started.