It can be stressful and frightening to be injured, but it’s important to try and keep calm. The first steps you take after a personal injury can affect your reimbursement from the insurance company if you decide to file a claim. Here are a few things to keep in mind after you’ve been injured.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Whenever you are injured, you should see a doctor immediately. Even if you feel fine or don’t think you the injury requires medical attention, there are some symptoms that may not present themselves until days after the accident. These symptoms include pain, discomfort, dizziness, and numbness.
Getting medical attention right away can help strengthen your personal injury claim. If you wait days or weeks to seek professional medical help, it might be harder to prove that your injuries were a direct result of the accident. Additionally, elevated levels of stress and adrenaline can hide pain and other symptoms of an injury.
Seeking medical attention later rather than sooner can reduce your chances of making a full recovery. Waiting to see a doctor may also make it look like weren’t seriously injured to the insurance company. Many injuries don’t present themselves immediately, but by this time it may be too late to seek medical help. Additionally, some states have a time limit in which you must see a doctor to be eligible to file a personal injury claim. For a consultation to find out more about those time limits, reach out to SteffensInjuryLaw.com.
Keep Notes and Take Photos
Taking detailed notes of your injuries and medical treatment can help you get reimbursed by the insurance company. Keep notes of doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and any other medical professionals you see after your injury.
It’s also important to keep records. You can use a journal or diary to keep track of your injuries and medical treatment. Be specific, include details such as the degree of pain you suffer from and any inconveniences that result from the injury.
File every form of correspondence you have with doctors during your treatment. This may include emails and notes you take during and after phone calls and doctors appointments. You should also save all your medical bills and receipts. This can include prescriptions, special equipment, special foods, and copayments. Additionally, you might want to keep track of your travel expenses from medical appointments.
Recording specific information about your injury and accident can help strengthen your personal injury claim. Include any valuable information about the accident, and photos of the accident location. You should also take pictures of your cars damage. Don’t be afraid to take several photos of close-ups and long shots.
It will also be helpful to have proof of any financial losses including lost wages and opportunities. Furthermore, keep record of the names and contact information of witnesses.
Take Photos of Your Injuries
Ask a friend or family member to take pictures of your injuries. These photos will be valuable if you are having trouble getting a settlement from the insurance company or decide to hire a personal injury attorney. Photo evidence is also hard to dispute. Photos represent what happened, especially when they are time and date stamped.
Personal injuries can be frustrating, but there are things you can do to make your situation easier. You should always seek medical attention right away if you are injured or believe to be injured. This can help you get reimbursed by your insurance company. Also, keep track of your medical treatment and other important records. Photos of the accident and your injuries can also be helpful in obtaining settlement from the insurance company.