Any type of accident can be a traumatic experience, especially if there are injuries involved. There are a number of steps a prudent person should take when affected by a car accident, slip and fall, or any other type of incident. In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step process of what you should do after your incident and the steps you should take to better protect yourself in the settlement process.
Examine the Area Where The Incident Occurred
Whether you were in a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other accident, you should spend some time checking out the area where it happened. Write down every detail you can remember about the incident, including the date, time, weather, and any notable circumstances. In a slip and fall, see if you can find what caused you to fall (ice, water, a loose carpet, etc). This information may be very valuable when filing your claim. Snapping a picture with a phone can also be helpful, as well as including another person who can substantiate your observations.
Gather the Contact Information of Any Witnesses
Talk to anyone who witnessed the incident and take down their names, phone numbers, addresses, and other contact information. You should gather this information from anyone who saw the actual accident and anyone who was with you after the incident. You might need these folks to act as witnesses on your behalf if someone chooses to dispute your claim.
Get Medical Help
After suffering an accident, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You may feel fine, but your injuries may be more severe than you think. Be sure to seek medical help if you experience any of the symptoms below:
- Discomfort
- Numbness
- Pain
- Dizziness
Additionally, getting medical help can help strengthen your personal injury claim. If you end up waiting a few days after the accident happened, it may be harder to prove your injuries were the direct result of the accident.
Take Photos and Notes About Your Injuries and Treatment
At the location of the accident, you should take extensive notes and photos to make sure you get full reimbursement for your injuries. Be sure to write down the names of the following people you visit:
- Doctors
- Physical therapists
- Chiropractors
- Additional professionals you are referred to for treatment
Collect receipts of the medications you are currently on or are prescribed, as well as medical assistive devices such as crutches.
Keep the following as records to help you remember what happened:
- Diary or journal of the extent of your injuries and medical care
- Write down the amount of pain you experience, as well as any inconveniences to you from your injuries.
- Keep all emails and notes from healthcare professionals
- Save your medical receipts and bills such as prescriptions, co-payments, specialized food, etc.
Take Photos of Your Injuries
Ask a family member or friend to take photos of your injuries for you. These photos can serve as crucial evidence in your case, especially if your claim is taking a long time to settle or you have decided to hire an attorney.
Consider Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
You may decide you need help handling your injury claim and a personal injury attorney is just the person to do so. These lawyers have specialized experience in working on these claims and can help you to understand your rights and get the highest settlement possible. They can speak to the insurance company and their team of lawyers on your behalf and take care of any necessary paperwork. Your personal injury attorney will work as your advocate during the whole process.
Hiring a lawyer may be the best option for you if you:
- Have experienced serious injuries
- Are being bombarded with high medical bills
- Are losing wages because of your injuries
An injury resulting from someone else’s neglect or disregard for others’ safety can be traumatic and you may not want to bring it up over and over again, but you deserve compensation for injuries that aren’t your fault and the at-fault party must be held to account so it doesn’t happen to someone else. Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Savannah at Tate Law Group today if you need advice on how to proceed with your injury case.