Any car accident, no matter how minor, can change a person’s life forever. If you have recently gone through this experience and are unsure if you have handled it correctly, read on to learn about the most important things to check off your post-accident checklist. Then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal case evaluation.
Document Everything You Can
Unless you are seriously injured, in which case you should stay still until help arrives, you should gather as much documentation at the scene as you can. Write down where it happened, the names and contact information of anyone involved, and the time and date. You may assume you will remember these things, but shock can essentially erase memories or make them fuzzy. Do not take chances – document everything.
Get Medical Care and Follow the Doctor’s Instructions
It could be that an injury you suffer in a car accident does not immediately seem serious. It could be days, hours, or even weeks until you notice the injury. Likewise, it can be hard to prove your injuries – or their severity – if you do not have evidence from a medical professional. Once the doctor has diagnosed you and offered their instructions, follow them, and make sure you appear at all appointments.
If you miss just a single follow-up or physical therapy session, the insurance company may attempt to use this as evidence that your injuries are not as serious as you say they are.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
The fact is that not all personal injury cases involve working with or making a claim with an insurance company, but they often do. If you are involved in an accident, do not wait too long to contact the company to file an insurance claim because you run the risk of the insurance company claiming that this is a sign that you were not seriously injured.
Keep Evidence and Write a Journal
You do not want to let go of any evidence. This includes information about your medical bills, information about the accident, and evidence of how it has impacted your life. Due to the difficult nature of proving levels of pain and suffering, we also recommend keeping a journal where you write down your pain levels daily.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
Finally, make sure you talk to an experienced personal injury attorney. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we can provide the best way forward, depending on the specifics of your case. We start with a free consultation so there is no reason to wait. Call us now at 800-333-0000.
