When you are injured in public, the first thing you’ll probably feel is embarrassment. You might try to brush yourself off and leave the scene of the accident to escape scrutiny. However, corporations and insurance companies are the only ones who benefit from this. When you are involved in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, it is in your best interest to stay at the scene, assess yourself for injuries, and contact a personal injury attorney.
It is incredibly important to document your experience in detail with an incident report, police report, pictures, and video. This will serve as evidence in your personal injury case. It’s also vital not to say anything on-the-record that could be used as evidence against your case.
Here are a few things you should (and shouldn’t) do in the immediate aftermath of a personal injury:
Once you have hired a personal injury attorney, they’ll begin their investigation by identifying the liable party. They will collect evidence surrounding the incident and pinpoint exactly who was responsible for the accident. In many cases, more than one party may be found liable. Once the source of the negligence is identified, your personal injury attorney can begin to build a case to secure the maximum amount of compensation.
Many victims of negligent injuries first think to call their insurance companies in search of compensation. What many don’t know is that they do not need to involve insurance before they hire a personal injury attorney. If your insurance company denies your claim or offers you less than you deserve, your attorney can help appeal the decision. Attorneys usually have more information about an incident than the victim does, meaning that they are well-equipped to argue to your insurance company on your behalf.