8 Important Things You Should Do After A Personal Injury

Getting hurt in an accident can be a challenging and unpleasant experience. You can encounter physical pain and trauma, and be faced with medical fees and lost wages. If the incident occurred as a result of someone else's negligence, a professional lawyer can help you settle an injury claim. In this article, we've compiled a list of 8 important things you should do after a personal injury.

1. Get an Immediate Medical Checkup

Even if you think your injuries are minor, they may be more severe than they appear. Going to a doctor or hospital right away can help determine the extent of your injuries. You can then avoid any complications that may arise from leaving them untreated. Your healthcare professional will create a medical file documenting your condition, and any treatments you receive. This can be vital evidence if you decide to pursue legal action against the responsible party.

Delaying medical attention can make it harder for doctors to identify what caused your injuries. Also, the insurance companies may argue that something else was responsible for them. This could potentially jeopardize any compensation or settlement you might receive as a result of the accident.

2. Hire An Attorney

A skilled attorney can protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. They can take the burden off you, so you can focus on your physical recovery. Perhaps you're one of the 660,769 residents of Las Vegas. If this is so, personal injury lawyers with an office in Las Vegas may provide video FAQs online, plus blogs and client testimonials. Their websites often display their awards and affiliations, as well as their practice areas and locations.

By having a thorough understanding of personal injury laws and regulations, lawyers know how to navigate the legal system. They can investigate the accident, collect evidence, and file your legal claim. They can negotiate with the insurance companies in your stead and represent you in court if required.

Working with a local lawyer can be an advantage as they will know the area and its laws. Florida, for example, has different laws and statutes of limitations compared to California. Plus, some specific occupations and situations may be considered as a "workers comp exempt Florida" case meaning you might not be eligible for standard workers' compensation benefits. If you find yourself in this category, consulting with an experienced attorney can help you explore alternative options for recovering losses and ensure your rights are fully protected.

3. Stay Off social media

Posting about the accident could potentially harm your case, by providing evidence that could be used against you in court. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often use social media posts as evidence. They do it to undermine the severity of people's injuries, or to challenge people's account of what happened.

Additionally, sharing details of your daily activities could damage your case. Let's assume you post pictures of yourself engaging in physical activity or on vacation. There could be problems if you do these things whilst being signed off work due to your injury. This would contradict the legitimacy of your claims and endanger the settlement amount.

4. Gather the Evidence

This step is crucial to building a strong case. You should take photos of the accident scene, injuries sustained, and any property damage. You should also collect contact information from witnesses who can testify about what happened. If the police attended the accident scene, take their contact details too. They'll produce a report that could prove crucial for supporting your legal claim.

As we said earlier, medical records can demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the treatment you received. Additionally, keep track of any ongoing expenses related to your injury. They may include medical bills, lost wages, house modifications (following disability), hospital travel costs, and more.

5. Notify Your Employer

If you've been involved in a work-related accident, this should be at the top of your list. This step will be crucial if you plan on pursuing a Worker's Compensation claim. Your employer needs to know about the accident as soon as possible so they can start their own investigation, and file the necessary paperwork.

When notifying your employer, provide them with all relevant information about the accident. This includes:
- the date and time of the incident
- where it happened
- how it happened
- any injuries sustained
- whether there were any witnesses present
Providing clear and concise information will help speed up the process of filing a claim. Should it be rejected, consult an attorney with experience in the Worker's Compensation scheme.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

They'll need to check that you're covered for medical expenses and any damages incurred. It's important to provide your insurer with as much information as possible (as with notifying any employer).

They'll need to know about any injuries sustained during the incident and will request photos or videos of the scene. These can help support your claim and speed up the process of getting compensation. Your insurance provider may assign an adjuster or investigator to look into your case, to assess the damages incurred.

7. Let Your Lawyer Deal with the Negotiations

Insurance companies are notorious for offering lowball settlements that don't fully compensate victims for their injuries and damages. A skilled personal injury attorney has experience negotiating with these companies and can push for a settlement that's fair and just. Many victims may be reluctant to negotiate or feel intimidated by the prospect of going up against big insurance companies. Fortunately, your lawyer can take on this burden for you. They'll comment on whether a settlement offer is fair, or if it would be better to take the case to court.

8. Take Care of Yourself

You need to give your body time to heal, so be patient and don't overdo it. If you push yourself too hard, you could make your injuries worse or delay the healing process. Get plenty of rest and take breaks when needed, and don't try to do everything at once. Ask for help if you need it because your friends will be willing to support you.

Additionally, make sure you're following any medical advice given by your healthcare provider. Attend all appointments and follow their instructions regarding medications or physical therapy exercises. If you don't, you could endanger your legal claim for compensation.

If you do these 8 things after being injured, you'll be in the best position possible. You'll be on the road to a full physical recovery, and likely to be financially compensated for the accident. In turn, you'll be able to pay your expenses and return to a normal life once again.

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