Being involved in an accident is probably one of the most confusing and stressful things that can happen to a person. In addition to the shock of an unexpected accident, the pain of an injury, and the difficulty of recovery, there could be a legal battle ahead. If you’ve been involved in an accident that was someone else’s fault and you suffered a bodily injury, that person is legally responsible for your injuries and you could have legal recourse. Here’s what to do when you get injured.
1. Collect Evidence.
The first thing you should do after an accident is document everything you can about the accident. Write down contact information of the other people involved in the accident and any witnesses who may have seen what happened. Take pictures of the scene, the accident, and your injuries. Most importantly, keep close and accurate records of your losses — like lost wages or medical bills you had to pay.
2. Notify the other party if you plan to sue.
Another thing you need to do if you’ve been injured in an accident is notify the other party if you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit and sue them. There isn’t a window of time that you should do this within, but you really should do it as soon as possible. This way, your rights are protected and the other party is aware of your intent to sue.
3. Find a personal injury attorney.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is always a good idea if you’ve been injured in an accident, even if you have no intentions of suing the other party. Most of the time cases settle out of court, but it’s still helpful to have a professional who is has enough experience negotiating with insurance companies and who will be able to represent you in court if it escalates to that.
Do you have any other tips about what to do when you get injured? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Read more blogs like this.