Whether you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligence or from a true accident, it’s critical that you know what to do in the immediate aftermath. Even if you aren’t sure whether or not you’re truly injured, these steps can protect your rights if you decide to file a personal injury claim down the road. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Grillo Law provide these five steps to take after suffering an injury to ensure the best possible outcome.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health is always the top priority after getting injured. Everything else can wait. If you are seriously injured (significant blood loss, potential broken bones, head injuries, loss of consciousness), call an ambulance or get to an emergency room as quickly as you can. For other injuries, see your doctor at the first opportunity, even if you aren’t sure if your injury requires treatment. Some injuries may not have symptoms for several days or even weeks.
Follow Medical Advice
Not only can ignoring medical advice delay or prevent full recovery from an injury, but it can also impact your ability to get fully compensated for a personal injury claim. Your healthcare provider is responsible for providing proper treatment, but you’re responsible for ensuring that treatment takes place. Keep all your appointments and stick to your treatment plan to give your body the best chance of recovery. If your treatment isn’t working, let your medical provider know so they can adjust the plan as necessary.
Document Everything
Start by taking pictures of the scene where the injury occurred. If you aren’t able to take the pictures yourself, have someone else do it for you. Be sure to take photos as soon as possible after the event so that you have evidence of any hazards that may have contributed to the injury. Also take pictures of your injuries and save all reports, receipts, instructions, and any other documents associated with the accident and your resulting injuries.
Don’t Speak to the Other Party or Their Insurance Company
Other than getting the other party’s contact and insurance information, it’s best not to talk to them or their insurance company unless a professional has advised you to do so. The insurance company wants to pay out as little as possible for your injuries and will be looking for incriminating statements from you that will help their case. You probably aren’t experienced in dealing with insurance companies, so you won’t be looking out for their attempts to get you to say something you shouldn’t.
Do Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer
Even if you intend to handle your own personal injury claim, there is no harm in talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer to get their advice. In most cases, you can consult with a lawyer for free to get a better understanding about your case. After talking to them, you may decide to let them handle the trickier parts of your claim, such as negotiating with the insurance company, filing paperwork to meet deadlines, and preserving evidence.
Conclusion
Not all injuries are someone else’s fault, but many are. By taking these five steps after getting injured, you’re not only protecting your rights to compensation, but you’re also making sure you have the best possible chances for a full recovery.
