When you’re going through incredible physical and emotional pain, it can be extremely difficult to make the right decisions. The stress you’re going through can be unbearable, and for many victims, a personal injury accident is life-altering. Insurance companies are counting on you being too overwhelmed by the process to “think straight” and pursue the correct steps to receive compensation.
Don’t let them get the best of you. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, or are a victim of another type of accident that qualifies as a personal injury, there are five critical steps you need to take that can strengthen your case and improve your chances of receiving compensation.
Step 1: Collect evidence before leaving the scene of the accident.
If you’re badly injured in an accident, you might be rushed away from the scene to receive medical treatment. If you are conscious and able, have your attorney and a trusted friend or family member go to the scene to document it from all angles.
Law enforcement will generally document the scene, but it’s important to bring as much evidence as possible to your case, so additional witness statements and documentation can go a long way in supporting your claim.
Try to take photos from all angles, and capture details such as skid marks, potholes, ditches, and damage to vehicles or surrounding structures. Take photographs of license plates and make sure all information is exchanged between parties (name, phone number, insurance information, etc).
Once you are in a stable and safe situation, make sure your personal injury lawyer receives all documentation and evidence, so that they can begin to build your case.
Step 2. Get medical treatment immediately.
Injuries are not always visible, and may not be immediately painful. For some victims, the shock and emotional trauma of an accident can mask the pain of an injury, or symptoms may appear at a later time. It’s critically important that you seek medical attention immediately after the injury, even if you think you feel fine.
Having clear documentation that you were seen by a doctor will be a critical piece of evidence in proving your injury.
Step 3. Hire a personal injury lawyer right away
A traumatic accident can leave you stunned and confused and unable to think of the logical next step. If you are able, call a personal injury lawyer right away. Marken Law Group does not charge a fee for a consultation, and we’ll arrive quickly to help you. Having a trusted and experienced personal injury lawyer by your side from the beginning can greatly impact the outcome of your claim.
An attorney can help:
- Document the scene of the accident
- Coordinate with loved ones and keep all parties informed of next steps
- Call experts to evaluate the scene and your property, to properly assess it before the scene is cleaned up or tampered with.
- Intervene in discussions with insurance agents
Contacting an attorney from the very beginning greatly increases your chances of a successful outcome, and they will be your most steadfast ally throughout the entire process.
Step 4. Speak the truth and avoid exaggeration
Accidents happen very quickly, and if you’ve been badly injured, you may not recall all of the facts in the case. Tell your attorney everything you know and remember, but do not embellish or try to fill in blanks with things that you think may have occurred. Guessing at what you think happened, or stretching the truth to make your injury or experience sound worse than it is, can damage your case.
Your attorney is with you to help piece together all of the facts, and they will do the legwork to fill in the missing pieces.
Step 5. Keep the details of your case offline
Social media can be a major threat to your case! Do not post photos or details of the accident online, as tempting as it may be to share your experience with others. Insurance companies have teams of attorneys and investigators that will be closely examining your online presence to find evidence against you.
Only discuss the details of your case with your attorney. If you need help or advice for navigating conversations with third parties or friends, speak with your lawyer.
Call an an experienced Washington State personal injury attorney
We believe you can never be over prepared! Accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. The more you know about personal injury law and your rights, the better off you’ll be if you ever find yourself a victim of an accident.
If you’re the victim of a personal injury accident, or you have questions about personal injury law, contact us at 509-879-4626. We always offer free consultations, and are happy to help our Spokane friends and neighbors navigate the complexities of Washington law.