If you are involved in a personal injury case, the following are some quick pointers to help you protect your right to a legal remedy for the injury suffered.
- Seek medical attention before doing anything else.
- Call the police or ask someone to call.
- Cooperate with all law enforcement and emergency personnel who respond to the scene.
- Obtain the license plate numbers of all other vehicles involved in car accidents and the drivers' names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information.
- Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all potential witnesses to an accident.
- Contact your health, homeowner's, and/or automobile insurance companies, as appropriate.
- Take photographs of all of the following, as applicable, as soon as possible after the accident: a. The scene of the accident, from all angles; b. The surrounding area; c. The product or animal that caused your injuries; d. Your injuries; e. Any property damage.
- Contact your attorney that day or immediately the next day.
- Do not move your vehicle after an automobile accident unless necessary for safety or required by law.
- Do not subject yourself to further injury by standing or waiting in an area of traffic or other safety hazards.
- Do not leave the scene of an accident until the police tell you it is okay to do so.
- Preserve any potential evidence in the case, such as defective products, or torn or blood-stained clothing, pieces from the car, substance or debris from the ground where you fell.
- Do not admit fault in any way or say you are sorry as it may be used later as evidence of your fault.
- Do not discuss fault with anyone.
- Never agree to settlement terms without contacting your attorney.
- Never sign any papers or releases sent by an insurance company without speaking to an attorney.
- Never discuss any aspects of the accident with insurance company representatives or give a statement, either oral or written. First, speak to an attorney before speaking to an insurance company, even if the accident is minor.
