Dos and Don'ts For a Personal Injury Case

A personal injury can be anything from an animal bite to an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident or a boating accident to an injury associated with dangerous conditions. If you have suffered a personal injury that is due to the error of another person or to the error of a company, it is within your rights to file a claim. It helps to know what to do, as well as what not to do, in this event.

What to Do

Get in touch with an attorney who deals with personal injury cases as soon as you possibly can. Do not delay in doing this. Look for a lawyer who offers free consultations and one who has experience with claims that are similar to yours.

Do seek out the medical help you need as soon as you possibly can. This is a very important step. You should never wait to have yourself checked out by a doctor. Even if your injuries seem minor to you they may be more serious than you are aware of. Do not wait days or weeks to receive medical attention but go for it immediately following the accident you were in. If you do not go for medical attention then this can later be used against you by the insurance provider for the other party or by his or her attorney.

Do ask for the names and the contact information for the witnesses that were there at the scene and saw what took place. All of the relevant information is not always included in the reports written up by the police which is why you need to keep accurate records yourself. In the same way it is important that you exchange information regarding your automobile insurance with the other individuals who were also involved in the incident.

Do report your accident to the police and to your insurance provider immediately. The failure to report what happened and the fact that you suffered a personal injury can result in your claim being turned down.

What Not to Do

Do not talk about the accident or your personal injury claim with the other side. This means refrain from talking to the opposition, which is the insurance company for the other party, an insurance agent or adjuster for the other party, and their lawyer. In fact do not even talk to your own insurer until you are well aware of what your rights are. This can be a time when some manipulation and underhandedness can take place and you do not want anything you say to be taken out of context and then used against you in court.

Do not provide anyone with a recorded statement about the accident and whatever you do don't put pen to paper for any documents that are presented to you. Consult with your attorney first. The only time it is permissible to do so is under the advice of your legal professional.

Don't settle the case until the full extent of how badly you have been hurt becomes known. Your medical expenses will not necessarily just be for what you are suffering now but can reach into the future in terms of pain and suffering. For that reason you should let your attorney assess your case and then from there decide if a settlement is the most appropriate course of action to take.