Have you suffered a car accident injury? Been hurt because of an auto accident and it wasn’t your fault? These types of injuries can leave you feeling helpless and put your life on pause as you recover. You may have medical bills you cannot pay, be unable to work, suffer mental distress, and other complications from your injury.
An attorney who is experienced in handling personal injury cases may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve, though there are also steps you can take to improve your case and help protect your rights. Follow these five steps and get your life back on track today.
Seek Any Necessary Medical Attention
When you are hurt in a car accident, the most important thing is to safeguard your health. The best way to do this – and to help your personal injury attorney get you the compensation you deserve – is to get a prompt diagnosis and follow all instructions from your doctor. Even if you do not feel it is initially important to seek medical attention, injuries may take a couple of days to manifest, and it is important to speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
Notify the Property Owner of the Slip, Fall, or Accidental Injury
You should report the accidental injury to whoever owns the property. You do not need to provide details or give a lengthy statement. It is not advisable to sign anything either. These things might be used against you later in court or used to pressure you into a settlement that gives you less compensation than you deserve.
Do Not Accept Blame
Whether you are injured on the road, somewhere public, or in a location owned by a business or individual, someone may ask you to sign something that says they are not at fault. Do not do this. Also, do not admit to your own fault, verbally or in writing, including saying you were “sorry” for the incident. You should not speak to anyone who calls you looking for more information about the incident but instead, direct them to speak with your attorney. You are under no obligation to speak with the other side or to provide extra information except through your attorney.
Collect Evidence
Your attorney will be able to help you best if they have access to the best possible evidence. This may include:
- Pictures of where the accidental injury occurred
- Records of time taken away from work
- Medical bills and records
- Anything given to you by the other party or the other party’s attorney
- Any other relevant information
Do not assume that your attorney will be able to get all the evidence on their own. Save anything that you think may be relevant and turn it over quickly. This helps your attorney get you the compensation you are owed.
Hire a Pomona Personal Injury Attorney to File Suit
California law gives injured victims a short amount of time to bring a lawsuit—only two years from the date of the injury, for most people. If you delay past this point, then you lose your right to sue and receive compensation.
To protect your rights, hire an attorney right away. At JLF Law Firm, our Pomona car accident lawyers have helped many victims get the compensation they need to cover medical bills and replace their lost wages. Contact us right away by calling (909) 316-2446 San Bernardino Office, (951) 337-4386 Riverside Office or filling out our contact form.
