What To Do If You're Injured
Immediately following an accident, your actions can significantly impact any subsequent legal proceedings. First and foremost, seeking prompt medical treatment for any injuries sustained is paramount. Even if you suspect injury but feel fine initially, the adrenaline of the event can mask symptoms that may manifest later. Not only does immediate treatment prioritize your health, but it also establishes crucial documentation for potential legal claims. Additionally, capturing photos of the accident scene, including damages and surrounding conditions, serves as invaluable evidence. Equally vital is gathering witness information promptly, as memories fade and individuals may become less inclined to participate over time. Throughout your recovery, documenting your progress with photos is essential, countering potential disputes over the severity or duration of your injuries. Consistent follow-up with medical care is equally crucial, as any gaps in treatment can be exploited by insurance companies to undermine your claim. Finally, selecting the right attorney can make all the difference in navigating the complexities of personal injury law. Consider factors such as experience, personal attention, and a track record of success when making this critical decision. With diligent attention to these steps, you can position yourself for a successful resolution with the support of knowledgeable legal representation.
Follow These Steps
1. GET TREATMENT FOR YOUR INJURY RIGHT AWAY.
This is the single most important thing you can do after an accident. If you are injured, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you think you might be injured, you should get checked out in an emergency room. Oftentimes, the adrenalin of a crash or other accident can mask the pain of the injury, so it is not until the next day that you wake up feeling stiff and sore. Immediate treatment is important because if you pursue a personal injury case, the insurance company may try to argue at trial that your injuries weren’t serious because you didn’t go to the emergency room after the accident or waited a few days to see a doctor. Remember, the injured person has the burden of proof in Virginia, meaning that you must prove your injuries in a personal injury accident. Medical Records act as that proof at trial. A history of immediate medical treatment will help you carry your burden of proof.
2. TAKE PHOTOS AT THE SCENE.
This may sound obvious, but after experiencing an accident and potentially being injured, most people don’t have the presence of mind to take photos. And contrary to what you might think, many times Virginia State Police don’t get photographs either. Luckily, with the prevalence of mobile devices, taking photos at the scene is easier than ever. If it was an auto accident, snap some photos of the damage to your car, the position of your car relative to any other cars involved, and the damage to other cars or structures. Also, be sure to get some photos of the ground around the accident—it may be that there are skid marks or brake marks on the pavement. This will go a long way to helping you or your lawyer present your case to a judge or jury. As you well know, a picture says a thousand words.
3. GET WITNESS INFORMATION AT THE SCENE.
Accident witnesses have a way of disappearing. This is understandable. Most witnesses feel a “call to action” at the scene and want to do the right thing, but after the flurry of activity is over, life goes on and their motivation to participate in a lawsuit drops. This makes finding witnesses more difficult as time passes. After the accident, look around for witnesses. Ask them if they saw the accident happen. Get their information at the scene. If you are injured in an auto accident but your passenger is okay, tell your passenger to go talk to witnesses and get information. Eyewitness testimony can be the difference between receiving compensation and ending up empty-handed.
4. TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR INJURIES AS YOU RECOVER.
It is important to document your progress. Pictures do this best because pictures don’t lie. An insurance company can argue that you are exaggerating the length of time it took you to recover from an injury, but if you have a photograph of you in a wheelchair or in physical therapy, that argument will become very hard to make.
5. FOLLOW UP WITH MEDICAL CARE.
An injured person should continue to seek medical care until all the symptoms of the injury are gone. Why? Just like above, a good insurance defense lawyer will argue that if you were still hurting one month after the accident, you would have followed up with her doctor. This is a successful defense. Do not fall victim to it. If your doctor orders physical therapy, go to physical therapy every time. No excuses. If you are still hurting one month after a car crash, follow up with your doctor. A defense lawyer will jump all over an injured client who does not follow up on treatment.
6. FIND AN ATTORNEY.
Coming from a person injury attorney, I know you will take this advice with a grain of salt, but choosing an attorney is important. There are many factors to weigh: experience, ability, convenience, personal attention, and knowledge. There are a lot of personal injury law firms out there, make sure you chose one that checks all the boxes. Use this guide to help you choose a qualified personal injury attorney and as always, feel free to contact me with any questions and our firm will do everything we can to help.
Richard Cuthbert, Cuthbert Law Offices