It is inevitable that people will get hurt due to the negligent acts of others and some people who are hurt may be unsure of the next steps that they should take. To help navigate this area, here are five steps that every person who believes they are injured should take:
1. Seek Medical Attention
2. Document Your Injury and Scene of the Accident
3. Speak to an Attorney
4. Do Not Talk About Your Case on Social Media
5. Stay in Touch With Your Attorney
1. Seek Medical Attention
It is always recommended that you go to your doctor to treat your injuries as soon as possible. Your medical records will get used as evidence in a potential lawsuit. It is imperative to explain every soreness or pain that you have from the accident to your health care providers.
Once you are initially treated, it is also important to follow your provider’s treatment plan. Following your treatment plan will be crucial in your case that you are making an effort to mitigate and achieve a recovery. Failing to follow a treatment plan may provide a stronger case to the defendant, potentially reducing any potential award or settlement amount.
2. Document Your Injury and Scene of Accident
Documenting your injuries at the scene of the accident will help you in the long term. Taking pictures of the accident scene helps to preserve evidence in the case. Other ways to provide documentation include:
• Photos of the scene
• Photos of your injuries
• Witness information (names, phone numbers, addresses)
• The defendant’s information (name, phone number, address)
• Contact information of insurance and witnesses
• Receipts of any money spent related to injuries
By accumulating this evidence, your attorney will be able to pursue a claim against the defendant much easier and hopefully resolve your claim quickly.
3. Speak to a Attorney Immediately
It is never too soon to speak with an attorney after an accident and you should do this as soon as reasonably possible. Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury lawsuits, though this can vary, and oftentimes many people wait too long to pursue a claim. Once the two-year statute has passed, you will not be able to pursue a claim for being wrongly injured.
Here at Hurst Limontes, we will give you’re a free consultation by having you come in after your accident to discuss your case with you and go over the entire process. Your attorney will give you a full breakdown of the paperwork you will need to fill out and submit and how to proceed with your case.
4. Do Not Talk About Your Injuries or Case on Social Media
Your personal injury lawsuit should be personal to YOU. In some cases, courts have ruled that there is no privacy when it comes to social media. If you are going through a personal injury lawsuit, you should not talk about it on any of your social media accounts, meaning anything and everything you say about your case or the incident on social media can be used as evidence against you in court. Furthermore, you should not be posting photos of you doing activities that conflict with your injuries.
5. Stay in Touch with Your Attorney
It is crucial to stay in touch with your attorney and update them on any medical treatment or photos that you take. For example, if your injuries are getting worse, let your attorney know. Your attorney not only cares about your case, but they also care about how YOU are doing personally and coping with your injuries.
If you or a loved one have been affected by an accident or death, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hurst Limontes, LLC. We have decades of combined experience fighting for our clients in any number of personal injury claims. Call 317-636-0808 or email us for a free and confidential consultation.