Each year, Car accidents are the most common cause of personal injuries, but injuries come up in other areas, too, like slip-and-fall cases, medical malpractice, and defective or unsafe products ("products liability" in legalese), just to name a few. Regardless of the injury or its cause, here some important things to keep in mind.
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Make a police report
- Gather the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all witnesses (and the other driver if it's a car accident)
- Watch what you say and to whom at the scene
- Stick to the facts when talking to police
- Don't say things like "I'm OK," "It wasn't your fault," or "I'm sorry"
- Keep records of all doctors you visit and when, all treatments and diagnoses, and your costs and expenses
- Be careful when talking to insurance companies
- Don't sign any documents from anyone unless you understand them completely
- Avoid settling your case on your own with whomever caused the accident or their insurance company
- Remember, you only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit
- Be patient! Personal injury cases usually take time to resolve
- Contact a lawyer in your area with experience in your particular type of case
No one wants to get hurt, but accidents happen. Knowing what to do and what not do after you're injured can go a long way toward helping you get the compensation you need and deserve.