Steps You Should Take After A Serious Accident

Getting into a serious accident can disrupt the course of your daily life. Besides the devastating financial and health repercussions that an injury you may have suffered can have on you, the psychological effects of being unable to go on with your life can be quite damaging. Personal injuries are hard; you may not be able to escape the thought of how unfair it is that you have to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. Getting into an accident, regardless of how it occurred, can inflict a great deal of panic. However, you must always remember that every action you take directly after the accident can affect your compensation. . Luckily, there are smart ways to deal with personal injuries that will help protect your rights. Here are steps that you should take after a serious accident.

Seek Medical Help

Right after an injury, the first thing that you should do is seek medical attention. If it was a serious accident, then you most likely have obtained major injuries. To make sure that you don’t suffer from further complications and to ease your physical pain, you should visit the nearest emergency room, healthcare clinic, or general physician. You can even call an ambulance at the scene of the accident if necessary. If you delay seeking medical help, this can result in great consequences on both your health and the legal case later on. According to most insurance companies, the sensible timeframe for getting medical attention is 72 hours. However, you should go right away because the longer you wait, the less critical your injuries will seem. When you are talking to your doctor, make sure to accurately capture how you feel and mention even the slightest pain, but avoid exaggerating. You should also get a thorough check-up as many injuries are not visible right away. Keep a record of all the x-rays, prescriptions, examinations, medical reports, tests, and bills because you will need them to build a strong case. Make sure to follow-up with your doctor and make it a point not to skip any appointments.

Don’t Talk About Your Case

You should never talk about your case to anyone who is not your doctor or your attorney as it might affect your case. This is why you must seek proper legal representation. The personal injury attorneys in Harrisonburg explain that you shouldn’t even speak to your insurer about the case without the presence of an attorney. You should also be very careful about how you speak about your injuries and accident with your friends and family. Be very mindful of the details that you reveal. An attorney will help you build a strong case and reclaim and protect your rights.

Documentation and Evidence

Besides all the medical records and bills, you should also collect other evidence regarding your case. You should have sufficient documentation proving that the injuries were a result of someone else’s negligence. For instance, if it was a slip and fall accident, make sure to take pictures of the scene on the spot. Capture the wet floors and show the lack of visible warning signs. If you had a police report done, you should keep a record of it too. Make sure to collect witness information and to take pictures of all your injuries before treatment. As soon as you can, make sure to write a detailed report documenting exactly what happened before, and after the accident occurred. This will help you recall the events as they are later on. The chances are that you’ll have to retell the story on multiple occasions. Keep in mind that any change in even the most minor details can hinder your claim. Do not get rid of any piece of evidence until the case has been totally closed.

The Statute of Limitations

You should be aware that the statute of limitations for personal injury claims differs from one state to another. Some states grant you about two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, you shouldn’t wait until time starts running out. The more you wait, the more you will be questioned about why you decided to wait that long or why you decided to file a claim just now. Besides, keep in mind that each step of the process can be time-consuming; you can easily run tight on time.

Personal injuries can be one of the hardest things to experience. It is not fair to face financial and physical strains due to someone’s carelessness. Major injuries can prevent you from caring for yourself, your loved ones, and tending to your daily tasks. This is why you must follow these steps to ensure proper compensation and the protection of your rights.