The answer, to some degree, depends on the circumstances of your particular accident. However, there are some general guidelines that should help you determine what to do after you have been injured. Not every situation will be covered here, but this should help make the process a little less stressful and confusing.
What you do following an automobile accident is illustrative of many other situations in which you’ve been injured as the result of another’s negligence.
Let’s focus on automobile collisions in which you believe the other driver is at fault. If you are still at the accident scene, and your physical condition allows it, make sure you exchange insurance information with the other driver. By doing so you are already protecting yourself in case you need to recover for any injuries or property damage. Unless the damage to you and your vehicle is obviously inconsequential, you should next make sure some law enforcement agency responds to the scene and makes a report.
More often than not the responding officer or deputy will interview the involved parties and any possible witnesses. Do your best to be very clear about what happened. If the incident report finds the other driver at fault you will stand a better chance of recovering for your injuries. Most reports are available within two weeks of the accident. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of the report as soon as possible. If you contact an attorney to seek representation, that report will help the attorney evaluate your case.
If you have been injured seek immediate medical care. By getting treatment right away, you increase your chances of diagnosing any current injuries and you reduce the risk of exacerbating an injury that may seem minor at the time of the accident. And if you contact an attorney prior to diagnosis and treatment it is far less likely that firm would want to take you as a client at that point.
One of the things you can do throughout the process is to keep a personal chronolgy. The closer to the incident you begin, the greater likelhood you will be able to later recall these stressful events. By doing this you will also make it easier for an attorney to properly evaluate your case.
The bottom line is that by keeping track of events as they unfold, and by maintaining a file that includes all incident reporrts, medical records, and communications, if any, with the insurance companies, you give yourself a better chance of succeding with your cliam.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.