Any person who suffers a personal injury deserves to have their voice heard and their losses covered by the at-fault party. While that may be the objective, it can be challenging to know what to do after such an incident to hold those who hurt you accountable. Consider the following steps to take after suffering a personal injury and then talk to a San Antonio personal injury lawyer.
Call the Police
In any situation where the other person committed wrongdoing, such as in a car accident, or in any instance in which you have suffered a serious injury or loss, your primary objective is to seek help. Calling 911 brings the medical professionals to you while also ensuring that the police arrive to document the accident and the scene itself.
Get Medical Care
In all situations, getting medical care is critical in protecting your health and well-being. At the same time, it ensures you are documenting your injuries. When you get medical care right after an accident, it is clear that the two events are linked. If you wait a day or more to get care, the at-fault party may claim that you could have been hurt somewhere else.
Once you get medical care, be sure to follow up with your doctors as they recommend. That may include contacting your primary care provider or going in for treatment.
Gather Any Information and Evidence Possible
While your personal injury attorney has the obligation to build a case with strong evidence for you, if it is possible for you to capture any evidence, do so. That could include:
- Photos of the injuries you have
- Photos of any damage to vehicles or other structures in the area
- Video of the surrounding area
- The name and contact information for any witnesses
- Photos of the other party
- The other party’s contact information and insurance information
Do not put yourself in harm’s way while trying to capture this information. It is more important that you work to preserve your well-being.
Other Steps to Take
In addition to the above, make sure to follow these tips:
- If you did not file a police report at the time of the accident, do so immediately.
- Document all of your injuries and losses in the first few days of the accident.
- Do not make any statements to the other party about your injuries, losses, or any details that may make you seem responsible.
- You may have to alert the other party’s insurance of the incident, but avoid filing a claim until you know what all of your losses are.
- Avoid the use of social media. It could be used against you later.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
There are numerous steps involved in filing a claim for personal injury, but what you do right after the accident can help you. That includes the steps above. Nothing is more important than focusing on your health and well-being so you can recover as fully as possible. That is why hiring an attorney can be critical.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, you gain the insight you need to take the right steps at the best time. Insurance companies may seem nice, but they are always working to minimize any compensation paid to you, the victim. Your attorney is the sole advocate you have working to reduce risks to your future.