Being involved in an incident in which you suffer an injury can be a particularly frightening and confusing experience. Whether it is an attack, a car accident, or a slip and fall, experiencing shock and emotional distress is common after every incident. The matter becomes even more complex when you suffer a physical injury that leaves you unable to physically maneuver or in need of emergency medical attention. In these instances, getting the necessary assistance is often a priority. However, other steps should also be taken if you plan on making a claim in the future.
Seek medical help immediately
If you have suffered a personal injury, the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical attention. Even if the injuries aren’t apparent at first, it’s still recommended to consult a medical professional as soon as possible. Depending on where you live, you may lose your ability to make a claim if you wait too long to seek medical attention.
It’s also important to remember that certain injuries, particularly brain injuries and soft tissue injuries, won’t show apparent symptoms for days or even months. When seeking immediate medical attention, a doctor will perform a thorough evaluation, identify and diagnose such injuries, and provide suitable treatment, thus helping to support your health and rehabilitation.
Find an experienced attorney
The next step would be to find a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer who’s experienced in personal injury cases. After evaluating the details of your incident and injury, an attorney will be able to provide expert advice and tell you whether you have a valid personal injury claim or not.
In many cases, personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations and operate on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid when their clients get paid. In other words, they take their payments from successful cases and settlements and don’t ask their clients to pay out of pocket in advance.
Get a medico-legal report
Unlike a conventional medical report, a medico-legal report is a type of document written by a medical professional aimed to support you in your legal case. Serving as a vital piece of evidence or medical proof, this document includes your medical history, details of your condition, and other important medical information your attorney can use to help your case.
Medico-legal reports are required for many different events and court cases and can aid you in reaching the desired legal outcome. For that reason, it’s recommended to hire medico-legal specialists after suffering a personal injury. These professionals can provide an unbiased opinion and a comprehensive assessment, as well as additional educational resources you may need to support your case.
Be involved in the investigation
Once you’ve found a good attorney, they will investigate your incident thoroughly and plan a strategy for making a solid case. Along with the initial evidence you’ve gathered, attorneys will likely make an effort to collect additional pieces of evidence such as video footage, torn clothing, etc. They may also work with reconstruction specialists to analyze your incident and injuries further, and determine who was at fault.
But in order for this to be effective, you have to stay in contact with your lawyer, follow their instructions, and remain involved in the investigation as instructed. While this might be stressful, good collaboration is key to building a strong case and getting the maximum compensation.
Discuss your compensation
Depending on the nature of your incident and injuries, you may be compensated for a number of items. These items include doctor’s visits, medical equipment, prescriptions, at-home care, lost wages, loss of companionship, pain, and suffering, punitive damages, and more.
Your personal injury attorney will be most equipped to provide proper advice regarding the compensation in your specific case. In many instances, simply being involved in the investigation and communicating with your lawyer regularly will help you to manage expectations and make a more accurate prediction before the proceedings begin.
Suffering an injury is an incredibly difficult experience, both physically and emotionally, and complex personal injury cases can make it even more daunting. Make an effort to take the right steps and make wise decisions from the very beginning to ensure a more desirable outcome for your case.