Accidents and mishaps are part of life. No one will escape injuries and misfortune. Sometimes, however, another party is to blame for what happened. In this situation, you may be justified at pursuing legal action. A personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate if your injuries are serious, if the injuries have disrupted your quality of life and if the other person deliberately tried to hurt you. Whatever the factors may be, there are some important steps you should take after the incident.
Report It
There is a statute of limitations on when you can file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long to file a claim, you won’t be able to recover any damages. It’s best to report the incident as soon as possible. If you’re hurt in a car wreck, make sure you call the police right away. The responding officer will talk to you and the other people involved. The officer will also examine the scene and file a report. If you’re injured on the job, make sure you inform your supervisor or human resources representative immediately. You should report other injuries to the appropriate party such as a business owner or homeowner.
Get Medical Attention
Another big mistake people make after an accident is shrugging off the need to get medical care. Too many victims think their injuries are too minor to warrant a trip to the doctor’s office. If you later claim that you were injured, but there is no record of your injuries from a qualified medical professional, your case will likely go nowhere. Have a doctor examine you as soon as possible after your accident.
File an Insurance Claim
Your insurance policy should cover you in most types of accidents and mishaps. If you are hurt in a car collision, call your auto insurance and the insurance of the other driver right after the accident. If you are involved in a workplace accident, your employer should help you file a Workers’ Compensation Claim.
Get Evidence
After the accident, take pictures of the scene. Take photos of your injuries and other damage. Talk to witnesses who can share their input on the incident.
Meet with a Lawyer
An experienced attorney will advise you on whether you have a strong case and should file a lawsuit. Your attorney will also be your advocate in working with insurance companies.
If you follow these steps after your accident, you can have peace of mind. Your case is also more likely to go smoothly.
If you have questions about a car accident case, contact a car accident lawyer, like from Barry P. Goldberg, for a consultation.