From collecting evidence at the scene to choosing an attorney, learn from InPerSuit how to defend your rights and get the most help after an accident.
Car accidents, slips and falls, incidents at workplaces and medical mistakes cause personal injuries to millions of Americans every year. Even though this happens often, the final results are not the same for everyone, especially concerning money. Those who follow the recommended legal and medical processes after an accident usually get higher settlements and verdicts.
The time period right after an injury is crucial. How you document injuries, communicate with the investigators, the insurance company, or employer and when you decide to get legal help can significantly impact the outcome of your personal injury claim.If you don’t have proper guidance, it is easy to make wrong decisions that cost you.
This is why we put together this personal injury checklist. This guide will lead you to protect your rights, preserve the evidence and find the right legal assistance when you need it the most. InPerSuit connects you with reputable personal injury lawyers who focus on getting the best results for those who have been in accidents.
Steps to Follow Immediately After the Accident (0–24 Hours)
The decisions you take within the first 24 hours can decide the outcome of your case. Pay attention to these things as soon as an accident occurs:
- Photograph and videotape the scene, the damage, what the weather was like, any injuries and everything that could have contributed to the accident. Obtain the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Get a Medical Checkup: Even if you think your injuries are not too serious, still seek medical attention by a doctor right away. Injuries may not show up right away, but having an initial medical evaluation may reveal more serious underlying injuries and serve as important proof of injury later. A prompt medical evaluation helps protect your health and creates a clear medical record, which is critical for strengthening your personal injury claim.
- If the police or other investigation is involved, ask for the incident number and then get a copy of the full incident report soon. If no police or investigation is made, file a report on your own as quickly as you are able to. Creating documentation and quickly identifying evidence through an official paper trail is crucial for strengthening your personal injury case.
- Do not admit responsibility, speculate or guess when talking to police, investigators, other parties or an insurance company. Even a short answer like “I’m fine” can be exploited by others in the future.
The InPerSuit Advantage: You can count on us to connect you with vetted and experienced personal injury attorneys quickly, so you don’t have to manage by yourself. When choosing a personal injury attorney, it’s important to know the actual attorney who will work on your case before you hire a law firm.
Be careful not to hire a lawyer who has too many clients with pending cases, as these lawyers are often overcommitted and overworked which can lead to delays, lack of sufficient focus, and perhaps a bad result in your case. With InPerSuit’s technology and skilled legal professionals, you can easily compare and interview injury lawyers and you’ll know your lawyer before you hire the law firm.
Key Actions in the First Week
Day by day, what you do will influence how strong your case gets.
- Continue following the advice of your doctor and medical professionals. Visit your doctor consistently as recommended. Keep taking your medications. Obtain copies of all notes, test results, prescriptions and referrals.
- Keep anything that is broken or worn (e.g., your jeans, a helmet, the product) and take pictures of your injuries from the beginning and as they progress.
- Be Aware of Deadlines: The time you have to report an injury or make a claim depends on your state and the kind of case. Statutes of Limitations and Notice of Claim laws create strict deadlines for personal injury cases. Talking to a lawyer immediately, or at least within the first week, will help ensure evidence is preserved and your case is filed on time!
- Start writing a journal to record your symptoms, the effects of your medications, work days you miss, your feelings and how the injury affects your daily routine. This ongoing documentation can serve as powerful evidence in your personal injury claims by creating a record of your condition over time. Discuss your journal with your lawyer in case your lawyer prefers a different method of documenting your daily life after the injury.
- Be Mindful of Potential Surveillance: Insurance companies, employers, negligent parties, and their defense attorneys can be proactive and aggressive in defending against serious injury incidents. Pay attention to your surroundings in case you are under video recording or other surveillance.
Documentation Essentials
Official Medical Records help build a strong case. You should collect and monitor the following:
- All medical information should be requested and stored from every doctor, hospital, therapist and specialist.
- Store copies of all medical bills, receipts for medicines, bills for assistive devices, invoices for travel to medical appointments and charges for property damage repairs.
- Ask the company for proof of the wages you missed out on because of taking time off or not being able to do your previous job. You can also pull old pay stubs and previous records of employment if needed.
- Keep a daily record to detail how your injury changes your movement, sleep, relationships and enjoyment of life. Journaling is a great way to do this as it records in your own words how the injury is affecting you on a regular basis.
Documenting and preserving evidence of the incident, damage, and injury in your case is critically important. Quickly compare, evaluate and hire vetted and verified personal injury lawyers through InPerSuit immediately after an accident to best protect your rights and recover compensation for your injuries.
Guidelines for Communicating with Insurance
Insurance companies usually contact you fast, but they are not necessarily on your side. These are the best ways to defend yourself against unfair tactics from the insurance company or liable party:
- You should not agree to be interviewed or give any recorded statements until you have consulted with and hired an accident and injury lawyer.
- Observe how the adjuster behaves: They could play down your injuries, make it seem you are at fault or urge you to settle quickly. Always ask to review all the papers before you sign anything.
- Some red flags are offers that are too low, pressure to agree quickly or requests for all your medical records that do not relate to the injury.
- Go over your insurance policy with your attorney to learn about insurance limits, what is not covered and the possible benefits.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Attorney
If you have the right lawyer, you are likely to receive compensation and resolution faster and more fairly. These are some things to keep in mind:
- If you received medical care for your injury, could not go to work or are still in pain, you should get legal help. Personal injury lawyers can help you receive compensation for injuries and the time missed from work.
- Choose an attorney with experience in handling claims for the type of injury you have (such as auto accidents, injuries on property or work injuries). A knowledgeable attorney will know the law surrounding your case and be able to assist you in getting compensation for your injury.
- Personal injury lawyers most often charge fees only when you get compensation. This is known as a “contingency fee”, and is almost always a percentage of the compensation amount you receive. Be sure to compare, evaluate and ask the attorney about their percentage. Also ask your attorney whether expenses are deducted from the total money recovered or your portion of recovery.
- Your attorney should give regular reports on the status of the case, be responsive to your questions, and easy to communicate with.
InPerSuit verifies that every personal injury lawyer on our platform is experienced and skilled in personal injury cases, and our proprietary lawyer profiles detail each lawyer’s experience as well as their legal fees. Quickly and easily compare and interview each of your lawyer options on our platform to make sure you hire the best lawyer for your case.
Settlement Evaluation Tool
When you’re ready to talk about how to move forward, be sure you know your value and what your choices are.
- Personal injury settlements may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatment, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Compensation is intended to help you recover physically, financially, and emotionally after an accident.
- Long-term effects: Your health, income, and overall lifestyle can be significantly impacted by the outcome of your personal injury claim. It is important to consider potential future medical needs and financial stability when evaluating a settlement.
- Settlement vs. Trial:While an early settlement offer may seem appealing, it may undervalue the true worth of your claim. Insurance companies may push for a quick settlement to minimize cost. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess whether it is in your best interest to settle, continue negotiating, or take the case to court to pursue better compensation.
InPerSuit’s Network: The attorneys in our network are each vetted as experienced and skilled in their particular practice area. Each lawyer profile is verified for reliable comparison. Easily schedule interviews with each of your lawyer options with InPerSuit’s platform to ensure you hire the right lawyer for your case.
Conclusion: Be Aware of Your Rights from the Beginning
What you do after an injury is important. Following these steps can help you record all the details and choose a lawyer who will help you receive the payment you should get.
Take care of your health before it becomes serious. Personal injury claims move quickly, and so do insurance companies. With InPerSuit, you’re never alone in your legal struggles. Our team connects you with experienced personal injury lawyers who know how to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Start your search today and find your personal injury attorney with InPerSuit’s expert legal matching.