What to do if you’ve been injured

  • Evidence preservation. Most personal injury cases depend on proving the fault of another party. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone’s wrongdoing, it is critically important that evidence of the wrongdoing be preserved. This means someone should take and preserve photos of what the scene looked like immediately after the injury. The photos should be kept safe until they can be turned over to your lawyer. If you’re unsure about how to best preserve the evidence in your case, contact a lawyer as early as possible to get advice on evidence preservation.
  • Medical. Obviously, you’ll want to consult a doctor right away. When you do see the doctor, or any other medical professional it is important to be as accurate as possible with the medical staff. This means telling them exactly which parts of your body are causing you pain or other symptoms and what level of pain you are feeling. When describing the severity of your pain, go ahead and use the 0-10 pain scale.
  • Communicating with Insurance Representatives. You may well be contacted by insurance representatives or investigators. Be very cautious when interacting with representatives of the insurance company. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to try to persuade people to sign away their rights for much less than the case is worth. Do not sign anything without consulting a lawyer. Do not agree to anything without consulting a lawyer. Do not provide a recorded statement without consulting a lawyer. The safest course is to get the advice of a lawyer before talking to anyone from the insurance company.
  • Get legal advice. Find a lawyer you can rely upon to give clear guidance, up front. Selecting the lawyer who will represent you in a personal injury case is an important decision which can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. You will want to find an attorney who has a good reputation in the profession and who has history of strong verdicts and settlements.