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What to do after a personal injury accident?

    Accidents can and do happen when you least expect them. You may get injured in a car accident or because you slipped or tripped and fell in a retail establishment or restaurant. You may have been injured after using a defective product or for many other reasons. No matter what happened to you, when you find yourself unexpectedly injured and in pain, you may feel confused, scared, and unsure about what to do next. However, what you do or fail to do at the time of a personal injury accident can have repercussions on whether you can later recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

    Although it is not a given that you will end up filing a lawsuit against whoever is responsible for your injuries, it pays to take appropriate action should you decide in the future that this is what you wish to do.

    Seek Medical Attention

    Before contemplating any legal procedures, you should concentrate on your health. If your injuries allow it, call 911 and request an ambulance to take you to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, have someone around you make the call. It is of the utmost importance to have your injuries evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

    Besides the obvious injuries, your doctor may discover that you have internal bleeding or that one of your organs has suffered damage. The sooner these conditions are discovered, the faster you can start treating them and the more optimistic the outlook will be. Speak openly with your doctor so that all your pain is recorded in the medical record. Follow all treatment instructions and take all prescribed medications.

    Document The Scene and Gather Evidence

    If you can, remain at the scene and take pictures of the accident location, your injuries, and anything that might have played a role in the accident. If there are witnesses around, interview them to get their statements and also ask for their information if you need to contact them again. According to the professionals at The King Law Firm, as soon as you can, write down everything that happened so that you will not forget any details that may turn out to be important when you file your claim.

    If you were in a car accident, exchange information with the other driver. Make sure to take note of their insurance policy, the make, model, and license plate number of the car, and their driver’s license number.

    Avoid Talking About the Accident

    Your doctors and your personal injury lawyer are the only ones with whom you should talk about your case. When the police arrive at the scene to file a report, they do not need your opinion on what happened because they have the expertise to arrive at their own conclusions. Do not talk about the accident with the other driver or speculate about whose fault it was. Remember that whatever you say can be used against you.

    Working with an Atlanta personal injury attorney is the best course you can take when it comes to preserving your legal rights. They will know how to work within the statute of limitations and will help prepare a solid case on your behalf. Attempting to do this alone will likely not yield the results you want.