People don’t set out to get injured, and you are no exception. Sustaining an injury is never a pleasant experience, but the situation can be even more frustrating to deal with if another person is responsible for your injuries.
If you were injured as a result of another’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to face the expenses of your injury on your own. Instead, a skilled Arkansas personal injury attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve from the negligent party.
Here are six steps you can take to make the most of out of your personal injury claim:
#1 – Protect the Evidence
The evidence that you can produce will likely be the biggest determinant of the outcome of your case. The more evidence you retain in an organized fashion, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
#2 – Seek Medical Care
If you think there is a chance you are injured, get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Keep in mind that not all injuries present themselves right away, which means you may not know you are hurt at the time of the accident. Just because you don’t feel pain immediately does not mean you are completely uninjured.
Some injuries, such as whiplash, can take hours, days, or even weeks to materialize. Don’t put your body and your claim at risk—seek medical care as soon as possible.
#3 – Be Mindful of What You Say
While it may be a knee-jerk reaction in an effort to diffuse tension, it’s in your best interest not to apologize after an accident. Saying sorry (regardless of who caused your injuries) is often seen as an admission of guilt in the eyes of the insurance company.
In addition to not saying “sorry,” it’s a good idea to say as little as possible following an injury-sustaining incident. The last thing you want to do is say something that can inadvertently harm your claim.
It’s best to stay quiet and only answer the questions that are asked of you. Don’t offer up any information that isn’t specifically requested.
#4 – Obtain a Police Report
If the situation warrants one, it’s a good idea to have the police come and make a report about the incident. This documentation can be very useful for your claim because it can back up the statements you make about the accident.
#5 – Only Make a Statement When You’re Ready
If the situation warrants that you file a claim with the insurance company for damages, you will likely be asked to provide a statement about how you became injured. Doing so is necessary to process your claim, but you should make sure you are fully prepared before providing a statement.
Insurance companies often bully claimants into providing a statement over the phone, but you are in no way required to do so. In fact, you have the following three options for providing your accident statement:
- Over the phone
- In writing
- Your attorney may do it for you
#6 – Stay Off Social Media
DO NOT post anything about the incident or your injuries online. This includes all actions on all social media platforms. Refrain from making posts or comments about any details of the accident.
Anything posted on social media can and will be used against you in a court of law. Even if your profiles are set to private, there are still ways for the opposing party to gain access to your social media accounts. The other side may use anything you post on social media as evidence you were not seriously harmed in the accident.
If you’ve been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, you may be able to recover compensation. Our team is highly skilled in the area of personal injury law and has helped many other people in similar situations. Let us see if we can help you, too.
Contact the experienced attorneys at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm by calling 800-671-4100 or filling out an online contact form today.
