Personal injury situations, whether due to a vehicular accident, slip-and-fall, or other incidents, can be overwhelming and life-altering. Having a clear path to follow after experiencing such an event can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. This guide will walk you through the critical steps to take following a personal injury incident, as well as what to avoid to safeguard your potential claim or lawsuit.
Locating a Safe Space
The first order of business in any personal injury situation is to secure your safety. Depending on the nature of the incident, you might need to remove yourself from immediate danger. For instance, if you’re involved in a car collision, it’s crucial to move to the side of the road or the sidewalk to avoid secondary accidents.
Conducting a Self-Assessment
Once you’re safe, take a moment to assess your physical condition. Look for visible signs of injury, such as blood, severe pain, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, inability to move limbs or extremities, and numbness. In case you detect any of these symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately to request emergency medical assistance.
Calling Emergency Services
Regardless of the apparent severity of the incident, it’s generally advisable to call emergency services. Even if the property damage seems minimal, or your injuries feel insignificant, the actual extent of the damage or injury might be greater than what’s immediately evident. For example, an accident at just 10 miles per hour could result in damages costing several thousand dollars to fix.
Gathering Information from First Responders
When first responders arrive at the scene, begin documenting the incident. Collect the names and badge numbers of responding police officers, the physical address of their precinct, and the incident number assigned to your police report. This information will prove invaluable when obtaining a copy of the police report later.
Engaging Legal Representation
After taking care of your immediate health and safety and documenting the incident, it’s time to seek legal representation. A skilled personal injury attorney, like Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker PLLC, can guide you through the complex process of filing a claim or lawsuit, help you negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Insisting on a Police Report
A police report plays a critical role in any personal injury case. It contains crucial information about the incident, such as the time, date, location, weather conditions, a preliminary assessment of fault, and witness information. Insist that the officers on the scene file an accident report, even if they suggest it’s not necessary.
Securing a Copy of the Police Report
Obtaining a copy of the police report for your incident will depend on the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. Some police departments provide an online form to request the report or even enable you to download the report from the internet. Others may require you to be physically present at the police station.
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
In parallel to securing your immediate safety and documenting the incident, it’s essential to seek medical attention. Your health should be your top priority. Even if you feel fine after the accident, it’s still crucial to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately and could worsen if left untreated.
Documenting Your Accident and Injuries
Documentation is key in a personal injury case. As soon as you’re able, start documenting your accident, injuries, and their impact on your life. This includes taking photographs or videos of the scene and your injuries, recording witness information, and keeping a detailed account of your medical treatments.
Refraining from Admitting Fault
One of the most critical things to remember in a personal injury situation is never to admit fault to anyone. Even a simple apology could be construed as an admission of guilt. Stick to the facts when recounting the incident.
Avoiding Early Settlements
While it might be tempting to accept an early settlement offer from an insurance company, it’s often in your best interest to wait. Accepting a settlement too soon may leave you without recourse if your injuries turn out to be more severe than initially thought.
Understanding Your Rights and Available Compensation
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and related damages. This may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and the types of compensation you may be eligible for.
Navigating the Legal Process
The legal process for personal injury cases can be complex and time-consuming. Your attorney will guide you through each step, from gathering evidence and filing your claim to negotiating a settlement or representing you in court.
Being involved in a personal injury incident can be an overwhelming and life-altering experience. Following these steps and engaging the services of a skilled personal injury lawyer can help safeguard your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
