Sometimes it can be a challenge looking after ourselves and others. You may need to ensure that your pet is healthy and happy or that your children are eating and sleeping well. If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to put yourself first and take steps to protect your rights. If you don’t, you may be taken advantage of by insurance companies and more.
In this article, we’ll discuss 6 steps you can take to ensure that you’re treated fairly after being injured.
Seek Legal Assistance
A key step you should take after suffering a personal injury is to consult a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to advise you of your rights and help you navigate the complex legal process. If you’ve been hurt as a consequence of someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. Filing a claim can be a complicated process, but an experienced attorney can ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filed correctly and in a timely manner.
In order to win your claim, you’ll need to provide compelling evidence that the other party was at fault for your injuries. An experienced attorney can help you gather the proof you require to build a strong case. If you need to contact a personal injury lawyer, their website will explain how to schedule a free consultation, plus they may display details of previous successful claims. They’ll also clarify when you need a lawyer, what to look for in one, and what are the requirements for personal injury lawsuits.
2. Seek Medical Help Quickly
You need to make sure that your injuries are fully diagnosed so that you receive the proper treatment immediately. Also, by seeking medical help right away, you’ll have an official record of your injuries which can be used as evidence in your personal injury claim. If you delay seeing a doctor, the insurance company may try to say that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim or that they were caused by something other than the accident.
It’s important that you take any prescribed medication or do any recommended exercises diligently. Not only will this improve your chances of making a full recovery, but it’ll also demonstrate that you’re taking steps to mitigate your damages. If you don’t follow your doctor’s orders, the insurance company may argue that you aren’t really injured or that you’re not doing everything possible to get better.
3. Be Wise At The Scene Of The Accident
The Police
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s advisable to ask the police to come. They’ll produce a report featuring a description of what happened, and the officer’s opinion on who was at fault. This can be used as key evidence to support your legal claim for compensation. The insurance company may try to downplay the seriousness of the incident if no report is produced. Take the policeman or police woman’s name so you can request a copy of their report once it’s been produced.
Contact Details
You’ll need the other party’s name, phone number, address, and email address. Also, collect their insurance company name and the relevant policy number. If there are any witnesses, get their names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses. They can be later asked to produce a witness statement. The advantages of having one include:
- providing an independent account of what happened
- helping to jog your memory if the incident happened some time ago
- adding credibility to your version of events
4. Consider Worker’s Compensation
If you were injured at work, the first step is to notify your employer. This should be done as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Your employer will then begin the worker’s compensation claim process. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that allocates benefits to staff who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Depending on the circumstances it can provide medical benefits, wage replacement, or death benefits.
It’s important to know that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover pain and suffering. If you want to file a lawsuit against your employer, you’ll need to do so outside of the workers’ compensation system.
5. Let Your Lawyer Communicate With The Insurance Companies
The insurance companies will contact you after your accident and try to get you to give them a recorded statement. You shouldn’t do this (or sign anything) without first consulting with an attorney. The insurance companies are not looking out for your interests, but rather are trying to pay you as little money as possible. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you don’t have to worry about saying something that could jeopardize your case.
Your lawyer will also negotiate the settlement figure on your behalf. You’ll likely not be able to get as much money if you negotiate without their help. The insurance companies know that most people don’t have experience negotiating settlements and will take advantage of that fact. By having a lawyer negotiating on your behalf, you’ll level the playing field and be more likely to obtain a fair settlement.
6. Be Wise On Social Media
Be very careful about what you post on social media after a personal injury. Insurance companies will be looking for anything they can use against you. Even if you think your posts are private, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid posting anything related to your accident or injury. Stick to posts about your new evil eye ring, that’s much safer.
For instance:
- Don’t post photos of your injuries
- Don’t post about how the accident happened
- Don’t boast about how much money you’re going to get from the insurance company
- Don’t post photos of you at the gym or on vacation if you’re medically signed off from work
You’ll need to work with your attorney as you collect all the evidence, including medical documentation, bills, police reports, and witness statements. By having a legal advocate from day one you’ll be well-advised throughout the process and in the best possible place to gain justice. Then you’ll be financially remunerated and able to focus on your physical recovery.
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