Accidents tend to occur when you and your family are least expecting it. They can be stressful, traumatic, and confusing. Many people are not sure what to do after an accident occurs to get their family members help. If your loved one was involved in an accident, the sooner you take action, the better. Here are three steps that you can take after an accident to make sure that your loved one gets help and is protected.
Step One: Seek Medical Attention
Accidents can range from minor to serious, but no matter the circumstances, you need to make sure that your loved one is checked by a medical professional. Especially if you suspect that your loved one sustained brain or spinal cord trauma, a visit to the doctor is necessary. These types of injuries can be very serious and in some cases, the sooner you get to a doctor, the better their prognosis will be.
Getting your loved one to a hospital will make sure that they are properly diagnosed and treated for any injuries. Some types of brain injuries and other injuries such as internal bleeding may not be obvious after an accident. You might think that your loved one is fine, but they might actually be seriously injured. This is why it is best to get them checked out just in case.
In addition, having a report of your loved one’s injuries from a doctor will help substantiate them. This can be used as evidence in court if you ever decide to file a claim against the at-fault party.
Step Two: Gather Basic Information
If your loved one was involved in an accident, and you think that someone else is responsible for it, you should gather information in the event that your family wants to file a personal injury claim. For example, in the event of a car accident, try to get information such as:
- The other driver’s personal info, such as name, address, and phone number.
- The other driver’s car make, model, and license plate number.
- Contact the police, who will come to the scene and file a police report.
- Talk to any witnesses who saw the car accident happen.
Doing this type of work upfront can come in handy if your family wants to file a claim. It is better to have this information and end up not using it than to decide that you want to file a personal injury case, but you don’t have any evidence.
Step Three: Contact an Attorney
Dealing with an accident that results in injury can be overwhelming for your family. You will likely have a lot of questions and you might have a difficult time protecting your loved one on your own. If you need help, an attorney can help. Even if you are not sure if you want to file a personal injury claim, contacting a lawyer can help you determine your next steps.
A lawyer can review the particulars of your loved one’s situation and help your family understand how strong their case would be against the at-fault party. If your family does want to file a claim, a lawyer can also take care of many of the legal aspects of the situation. They can file paperwork, request records, and gather evidence on your family’s behalf. This will give you peace of mind that the case is being taken care of, but it will also allow you to focus your attention on helping your loved one heal.
If you are interested in exploring a personal injury case on behalf of your loved one, I am happy to help. You can contact my office and we can discuss the particulars of your situation.
