What should I do after a personal injury accident?

What should I do after a personal injury accident?

After a personal injury accident, the first question is usually what to do next. In the aftermath, it’s crucial to take certain steps to protect your rights and ensure your well-being. Experiencing a personal injury accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming event. You’ll want to take these critical steps to protect yourself and any passengers in your vehicle.  

Call 911: Contact the relevant authorities, such as the police or property owner, to report the accident. This is particularly important for incidents that occur in public places, workplaces, or motor vehicle accidents. Make sure to provide a detailed and accurate account of the incident. You will also need to provide your insurance carrier with a copy of the report.

Take photos: If you are physically able to do so, collect evidence at the scene. Take photographs or videos of the accident site, any visible injuries, and property damage. Additionally, gather contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur. This evidence can be valuable in supporting your claim later on.

Visit a doctor: The most important step after a personal injury accident is to prioritize your health and safety. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured. Prompt medical care not only ensures your well-being but also creates a record of your injuries, which can be crucial for any future legal claims. After an accident, your body experiences a surge of adrenaline, which can hide injuries. Whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent. Seeking immediate medical attention will identify delayed injuries that may arise later.

Have your doctor bill your health insurance: Give the doctor’s office your medical insurance information and ask them to bill the medical insurance. This way your health insurance carrier may cover some of the medical expenses associated with your accident-related treatment.

Attend all follow-up appointments: If you have visited a doctor, it is crucial for you to follow their care plan and attend all of your follow-up appointments. By doing so, you demonstrate that you are taking your recovery seriously and following proper medical protocols. Inconsistent medical treatment after an injury can also cause you long-term harm. Failure to comply with medical advice may weaken your claim for compensation. If there are gaps in your treatment dates, an insurance adjuster may argue that you aren’t as injured as you claim to be.

Preserve Documentation: Keep all documents related to the accident, including medical records, hospital bills, police reports, insurance correspondence, and any other relevant paperwork. This documentation will be vital when seeking compensation or filing an insurance claim.

Keep a journal: Keep a timeline of your medical treatment, including doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and therapy sessions. Record all damages resulting from the accident, including out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages for time missed from work, out-of-pocket property damage expenses, and any other relevant costs. This information will help quantify your losses when seeking compensation.

Do NOT post about the accident on social media: In today’s digital age, it’s important to be mindful of what you post on social media platforms. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often monitor claimants’ social media accounts for evidence that may undermine their case. Avoid posting about the accident or sharing activities that could be misconstrued as contradictory to your injuries.

Consult with an Attorney: It’s in your best interest to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. An experienced attorney can provide legal guidance, evaluate the strength of your case, and help protect your rights. They will also handle negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf and, if necessary, file a lawsuit. 

Report the accident to your insurance company: Contact your insurance company to report the accident and initiate the claims process. Be cautious when providing statements or accepting settlements without consulting your attorney, as insurance companies may try to minimize their liability. Your attorney can guide you through this process and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Have patience and focus on your recovery: Personal injury cases can be complex and time-consuming. It’s essential to be patient throughout the legal process. Understand that reaching a fair settlement or pursuing a lawsuit takes time. Your attorney will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, while you focus on recovering from your injuries and your family.

What is considered a personal injury and can I make a claim?

A personal injury is considered any injury that gives rise to legal liability of the responsible party. When one person gets hurt because another person or company acts negligently, the victim has a personal injury. The victim may bring a claim for financial compensation against the wrongdoer. A personal injury is an injury that affects an individual’s body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to damage caused to property. The lawsuit is a civil lawsuit brought by the victim. Understanding the concept of personal injury is essential for victims to protect their rights and seek compensation for the damages they have endured.

A personal injury is a civil case. It’s not a criminal case where someone can be convicted of a crime and go to jail. Instead, a civil lawsuit can result in a finding of responsibility that makes the responsible party pay money to the victim. These payments are normally paid by insurance companies. There are lots of types of cases that are personal injury cases like car accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, workplace injuries from hazardous working conditions, and defective product accidents.

Personal Injury Attorney at Bice Law

With Bice Law, you’re getting an experienced Personal Injury Attorney that will fight for you. Choosing Bice Law is choosing a personal injury attorney that cares about you, your family, your injury recovery, and helping you to get your life back on track. Our Frontline Injury Team has an established track record 0f successfully representing victims and families across North Carolina and South Carolina.

Our firm handles various types of motor vehicle accidents, collisions, and crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, trains, bicycles, and pedestrians who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of someone else’s negligence. Our firm also handles claims against various government entities regarding road defects and poor road design.  When you have been hurt by the negligence of another, your first priority is medical treatment – but you may be confused about your next steps. 

Personal Injury Law Firm

If you or someone you know has been seriously hurt in North Carolina or South Carolina, an experienced Personal Injury Law Firm can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable, no-nonsense advice about your legal options. Contact the personal injury law firm of Bice Law today by calling 877-BICE-877 or by filling out the online contact form to get a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We’ll review your situation free of charge and advise you of your legal options. 

At Bice Law, we take the worry from our clients and handle the difficulties of their injury claim so they can focus on healing from their injury and getting their life back on track. An experienced Personal Injury Law Firm can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable advice about your legal options. Our Frontline Injury Team at Bice Law treats each client like family, and we will fight to make sure they get the best possible outcome for their case.

Don’t hesitate, there is only a 3-year window to file a lawsuit for your personal injury claim. If you or someone you know has been injured in North Carolina or South Carolina, call the experienced personal injury attorney at Bice Law. We’re ready to fight for your rights and get you the compensation that you deserve. Our Frontline Injury Team fights for our clients from consultation to settlement, and we don’t get paid unless you do. Call Bice Law today!