There is no situation in which receiving an injury is a positive one, however, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Unfortunately, even when people are in the wrong, it’s not always easy to get the money owed to you simple by asking for it. For this reason, you may benefit from a hiring an attorney familiar with these types of cases. Whether it’s a slip and fall injury lawyer you need or one who specializes in car accidents, work related incidents, other types of injuries, it’s important to consider hiring someone right away so that no steps are missed.
Take notes when the accident happens
When the accident or injury occurs, you must take notes. If it was a slip and fall due to loose boards, slippery substances, or wet floors, find out the name, address and telephone number of the other person involved. If you have a smartphone on hand, use the camera to take pictures of any relevant evidence or photos of the scene of the incident. You should also take note of:
- What caused the accident
- A description of your injuries
- The date and time of day
- The location the incident happen
- Any other relevant information
Seek medical attention
If you’re seriously injured, you must go to the hospital right away. But even if you’re not suffering from a serious, visible injury that you can tell yet, it’s still important that you have yourself checked over by a doctor. This is because injuries to the spinal column, brain, or internal injuries may not immediately make themselves known. In the rush of adrenaline following an accident or fall, you may not be able to accurately gauge how injured you really are. For this reason, it’s essential that you seek medical help. This will also help your lawyer and the courts figure out how much in damages you should receive.
Hire an attorney
While it is perfectly within your right to file a personal injury lawsuit yourself, you are much more likely to succeed if you consult with or hire a lawyer specializing in that field.
An attorney will know the procedures to follow in and outside of court and will be able to help you maximize your payout from either a settlement or an insurance payout. An attorney will also be able to help you estimate your damages and help you figure out how much you hope to recover. This will include not only the monetary damages suffered but also the tangible items, such as: medical expenses that may need to be paid in the future, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Oftentimes, personal injury lawsuits don’t even make it to court. They are often settled long before it gets to this point, either by the insurance companies or by lawyers. However, should your case reach the courtroom, having an experienced lawyer will be one of the single most important things you can do to help expedite your case.
