Protect Your Rights – Important Steps to Take Following a Personal Injury
While no one goes out looking for trouble or tries to get into an accident, a personal injury can happen to anyone. From unsafe construction sites and unsafe working conditions to inattentive texting drivers and poorly maintained automobiles, the dangers are everywhere. Personal injuries are all too common in the modern world, and that means that everyone needs to understand their rights and be ready to take action should the worst happen.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to understand those rights or know what moves to make in the wake of a personal injury. When you are injured through no fault of your own – whether that injury comes as the result of a car accident, professional negligence or a workplace injury – seeking legal representation may be the last thing on your mind. When you are injured, your focus is on getting better and getting the help you need.
Even so, there are some steps you – or your loved ones – should take if you are the victim of a personal injury. Taking the right steps from the start is the best way to protect your rights and ensure a fair settlement down the road.
Document the Scene Thoroughly
Perhaps the most important – -and most overlooked – step personal injury victims can take is to thoroughly document the scene of the accident. Whether it is a car crash, a workplace injury or a slip and fall at a local business, the sooner you document the scene the easier it will be to prove your case later.
The good news is that documenting the scene is easier than every before. With just about everyone carrying a smartphone, photographing the area and the aftermath of the accident is as simple as pulling the device out of your pocket and pushing a button. Be sure to save the resulting photographs to your computer or cloud storage service as soon as you can. Those images could prove to be valuable evidence during the court case or arbitration hearing.
State Your Case
Photographic evidence of the accident scene is important, but it is just as important for personal injury victims to document what happened in their own words. If your injuries do not require a trip to the emergency room or immediate medical attention, take a few minutes to record what happened and who you feel was responsible.
If you have a note taking app on your phone, you can simply dictate or type the information into the device. If not, grab a pen and paper and take copious notes on every aspect of the incident. Be sure to record the names of any witnesses and their contact information. That eyewitness testimony could prove quite valuable if you do end up in court or at the settlement table.
Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm
Even if you feel your injuries are not that serious or that you do not have a case, it is important to contact a personal injury law firm as soon as possible. You should rely on the experience and expertise of a personal injury lawyer – not your own gut feelings.
Taking the right steps after a personal injury can mean the difference between a lucrative settlement and nothing at all. The sooner you document the scene, describe what happened and seek legal help the more you will preserve your rights and start the ball rolling toward a fair settlement for your injuries.
