The time following an accident can be a whirlwind. It can be difficult to remember what you should—and shouldn’t—do as you attempt to sort everything out.
Clients often ask me what should be done following an accident. That is why I’ve putting together the following recommendations.
If you are injured, seek medical care. This is the most important recommendation I can give you. It is particularly important if you are severely injured; however, even if you think the injury isn’t that bad, you should talk with a doctor to make sure that the injury will not worsen.
Take pictures of the accident scene. These pictures can serve as important evidence if you need to file a claim. If you were involved in a car accident, for example, you will want to take pictures of the damage to your car and the car of the other driver. If you are injured, you will want to take pictures of your injuries before they heal.
Talk to a lawyer. Some people are hesitant to get a lawyer involved, thinking that it is unnecessary and that they can get a good settlement on their own. Unfortunately, however, insurance companies do everything they can to save money. This typically means paying the minimum possible on your claim, if not denying your claim altogether. Having an attorney on your side can help you receive compensation that is fair and truly covers what your injury has cost you.
You should know that if someone else’s negligence caused your accident and injuries, you are entitled to receive compensation for the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, physical impairment, pain and mental anguish, and other damages. If you want to talk to a lawyer about filing a personal injury lawsuit, you must do so before two years after the date of your accident. If the two years has passed, you will be barred from filing a claim to receive compensation.
If you have questions about filing a personal injury claim, I would be glad to answer them. Feel free to contact my office.
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