Getting hurt stinks, especially when it’s not your fault. Fortunately for victims of personal injury accidents, we have a legal system that entitles them to fair compensation.
As personal injury attorneys, we fight for our clients, making sure that their case is argued well, so that they receive the compensation that they deserve. However, personal injury victims often make mistakes that can inadvertently hurt their own case.
Here are some things to remember if you get into an accident:
Call the Police
Calling the police for an accident, especially a car accident, is very important. Testimony from a police officer often carries much more weight in the courtroom.
Taking down an accident report makes certain that the important details of the accident are preserved in an official document. That way, it isn’t your word against someone else’s in court.
Preserve the Evidence
Pretty much everybody has a camera on their phones these days. Take pictures of the damage, either to your property or yourself that has occurred as a result of the accident.
The more pictures, the better. Again, the point is to make sure that you have physical evidence of the personal injury accident as well as your own testimony.
Get Medical Help
If your personal injury case ends up in court, you want to have your medical condition after the accident on record as evidence. Even if you feel fine, you should consider having a doctor give his professional opinion.
This is valuable because insurance companies will attempt to minimize your claim if you did not seek medical treatment. How bad could the damage have been, they claim, if you didn’t seek medical help?
Notify Your Insurance Company
Every insurer requires their customers to notify them that they’ve been in an accident. The time after a personal injury accident is hectic, but this is one step you don’t want to miss.
Get Legal Help
If the damage and injuries are severe, it is in your best interest to get legal counsel as soon as possible. The sooner you get legal counsel, the faster you can get your case organized. With all the details and evidence involved in a personal injury accident, it is important to have someone who knows the drill on your side.