When you’re injured due to someone else’s mistake, sometimes with all of the pain and stress you may do things that work against your own best interest.
For example, let’s say you’re injured in a car wreck. You might…
- Think you’re feeling better and skip going to the doctor.
- Tell an insurance company representative that you’re feeling fine.
- Try to handle your personal injury claim without the help of an attorney.
If you don’t make the right decisions and take the right actions, you can really hurt your chances of getting the right compensation for your injuries. You might get less than you deserve, or no money at all to cover your medical expenses, loss of wages, and other damages like pain and suffering.
So what should you do after your personal injury? Here are five essential things.
- Get immediate medical treatment
Remember, your health is the highest priority. Call an ambulance or see a doctor as quickly as you can. It can be very difficult to judge the seriousness of your injury without the help of a trained medical professional. Make sure you tell your doctor about ALL injuries and pain – even things that you think aren’t a big deal. Your doctor may prescribe treatment, including physical therapy, injections, MRIs, or even surgery. It’s important to get well, but also to show the insurance company that you’re doing everything you can to recover from your injuries as quickly as possible.
- Follow medical instructions and don’t miss appointments
Missing your appointments or ignoring the advice of medical providers can hurt your chances of making a full recovery, and also hurt your chances of getting fairly compensated for your personal injury claim. Your doctor, chiropractor, or therapist is focused on your well-being. Help out by taking charge of your treatment. Follow all instructions, show up for all appointments, and let your medical provider know if you’re not feeling better so your treatment can be adjusted, if needed.
- Save all of your paperwork to document your injuries and recovery
Without documentation of the incident, your injuries, and the cost of getting better, it’s very difficult to determine the value of your personal injury claim. You should save every piece of paper (or email) you receive, including:
- Reports about the accident, including police reports and photographs.
- Details about your injuries, including doctor visits and medical records.
- Receipts for medical expenses, prescriptions, taxis to the doctor or work, and even child care.
- Details about missed time at work or impact on your job duties.
You can never save too much information!
- Talk to an attorney as quickly as possible
Even if you are thinking about handling your own personal injury claim, talk to an attorney before you make your final decision. The meeting and case review are usually free, you’ll get your questions answered, and you’ll get a better understanding of the work (yours and the attorney’s) that will go into your personal injury case. If you wait too long, then you may miss important evidence, legal deadlines, or chances to work out a favorable settlement. A good attorney may also help you find better, and less expensive, medical treatment options since we work with medical providers all the time.
- Don’t talk to insurance company representatives
The main goal of an insurance company is to make a profit, not necessarily to compensate people for their injuries. Until you’ve talked to an attorney, don’t speak with insurance company representatives. You may unknowingly make a comment or statement that will later be used against you to pay out less than you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. Personal injury attorneys know how to talk to insurance companies, so let them handle those conversations.
Contact Litner + Deganian for help with your personal injury case
Have you or a loved one been injured, and you’re not sure what to do next? Contact a Litner + Deganian personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.
