Hurt by someone else’s carelessness or negligence? Follow this guide to learn what to do after experiencing a personal injury.

To be frank, the exact steps you take really depend on the situation you’re in.

Some basics:

  1. If You’re Seriously Hurt, Take Care of That First

If you feel severe pain, don’t worry about everything else going on around you. That pain could be life-threatening for all you know. Also, if you don’t take care of your injuries immediately, juries may wonder how hurt you really were.

If you are badly hurt, get in touch with a friend or family member and ask them to gather evidence for you.

  1. Ask Other Victims if They’re Okay

Again, you only have to do this if you can. There’s no legal liability in doing it. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it makes you look like a responsible citizen if you go to court later on.

  1. Collect Evidence

Use your smartphone to photograph the scene of the accident. You can’t overdo this step.

You want to give the jury, and your Dallas personal injury attorney, an intimate knowledge of the accident scene.

  1. Get Witness Information

If you, or a family or friend can, get contact information for any witnesses at the scene of the accident. Once you have it, contact them to make sure you have the right information.

  1. Keep a Log of Everything that Happens After the Accident

You want to keep a daily journal with an intimate level of detail. It makes you much, much more credible.

Write down the pain and physical discomfort, as well as the psychological discomfort you experience – every day. Note how many work hours you miss.

Log each hospital visit. Write down the time and date of every visit you make, as well as who you saw. Keep a tab of all your medical bills.

Dishonest personal injury victims don’t keep track – they speak off the top of their heads. Your log makes you look responsible and trustworthy.

  1. If Your Accident Involves Multiple People, Take Notes on Any Conversation You Have with Them

Yes , these do have to be written down. If not, it’s your word against theirs in court. Written notes make you appear more credible.

  1. Don’t Say, “I’m Sorry”

If you say this phrase by accident because you are concerned about the other party, don’t worry about it. By itself, it doesn’t make you guilty.

However, it makes you appear that way and can harm your case. Avoid saying it.

  1. Never Talk to the Other Person’s Insurance Company

Some sneaky insurance companies call you shortly after your accident, trying to get you to settle or make statements that hurt your case.

Don’t do it!

Their only goal is to minimize their liability (or avoid it totally) so they don’t have to pay you any compensation.

And remember, if someone else hurts you because of their carelessness or negligence, you can always contact an injury lawyer for legal guidance.

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