Here’s a short checklist of what to do if you’ve had an injury anyway. It is not intended to provide legal advice because each case is different and each case may raise its own legal issues. Regardless, you should consult an attorney immediately to help you protect your interests.
- Report the accident to the Police, if the impact was significant. Your attorney will obtain the police report, if any.
- Get immediate medical treatment if you are injured. Failure to obtain immediate medical treatment lessens your claim that you were injured as a result of the accident.
- Take photographs of the damage to any cars / property involved, before any repairs or improvements are made. Non-digital images, for example, from a disposable camera, are better than digital images because digital images are susceptible to later claims of tampering.
- Take pictures of your injuries right away. Images can more easily and accurately describe injuries.
- DO NOT make a statement to any insurance representative without consulting an attorney. Those statements can be used against you in your attempt to obtain full compensation for your injuries.
- Keep a list of all the doctors, hospitals, and treatment centers you visit.
- Keep track of all work lost as a result of your injuries and treatments. Lost wages are recoverable and can represent a large amount of your recovery.
- Keep track of all other out-of-pocket expenses (car rental, medical treatment copays, etc.).
- Keep track of how your life was specifically affected as a result of your injuries, including personal commitments and missed events.
I hope you find this list helpful in obtaining full compensation for your injuries.