What you do following a car crash, slip-and-fall accident, or any other injury event matters. Taking the right actions can protect your physical and financial health. Unfortunately, many people are sidelined by the numbing effects of adrenaline and other fight-or-flight chemicals. Others don’t know what the right post-accident decisions are. Read on to learn how to safeguard your interests after being injured due to someone else’s negligence, and find out why early decisions matter.
Document the Accident
Personal injury law protects accident victims from financial devastation. If you were harmed by a negligent driver or property owner, you can submit a personal injury claim for compensation. However, you must be able to prove the responsible party’s negligence and show how your accident caused damage and loss. This starts by carefully documenting the injury event.
If you have a dashcam or rearview camera in your vehicle, manually lock clips of the event to save them. You can also remove your camera’s SD card and save the clips to your laptop or computer. If you don’t have an in-vehicle camera or want multiple vantage points, use your cellphone to snap photos of your surroundings. You can take pictures of tire marks, vehicle positions, license plates, and more. The more information you collect, the stronger your case will be.
Before leaving the scene of an accident, collect the names and contact information of eyewitnesses. No matter how minor an accident might seem, always file a police report. This creates an official record of the event, and it will bolster your claim. When talking about your accident, never admit full or even partial responsibility. This should be determined by insurance companies, and only after all event details are reviewed.
Seek Medical Help
Visit the emergency room to have your injuries professionally assessed and documented. This is important to do even if you lack broken bones or deep lacerations. Jarring, impact events can cause serious internal injuries, and post-accident shock could mask their symptoms. Emergency room doctors will create detailed records that make it easier to connect your injuries with the event that has caused them. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, insurance companies might attribute your injuries to other factors.
Following your emergency room visit, schedule a follow-up appointment with your general practitioner. This is a great way to check for latent injuries and injuries that ER doctors have overlooked. You can also consult with alternative medical practitioners, including myofascial specialists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and more. You’re legally entitled to receive all the care you need for your recovery, and you should never rush treatment.
Take care of your mental health, too. Serious injury events can result in a fear of driving, and in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you struggle with sleeplessness, panic attacks, depression, or general anxiety following an accident, seek a referral for mental health services. Early interventions often provide the best outcomes.
Contact a Lawyer
When filing an injury claim, you’re bound to receive phone calls from insurance claims adjusters. Although friendly, these professionals have their employers’ interests at heart. They’re known for getting accident victims to make statements that undermine their claims.
Even something as simple as saying you’re “fine” when asked how you’re doing could cause problems later on. When fielding these calls, keep your responses to a minimum, especially when under the influence of pain medications. You don’t have to take a claims adjuster’s calls right away, and you can return these calls at your convenience. Saying too little is always better than saying too much.
Claims adjusters can also pressure accident victims to settle their cases quickly. Once you’ve settled your claim, you cannot return and ask for more money. This can prove financially hurtful if you have latent injuries develop following your settlement.
Find a reputable car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate conversations with claims adjusters or handle them for you. They can also assist you in gathering evidence, negotiating your claim, and optimizing your settlement outcome.
