Suffering a personal injury is difficult not only because of physical pain, but because of the often-complicated legal process that may follow. The moments immediately following a personal injury are often full of adrenaline, pain and confusion. The days, weeks and months following the injury may be spent navigating a complex legal system in order to receive compensation for your injury.
If you have sustained a personal injury, you may be wondering what you should do next. What follows is a summary of the most important steps to take after a personal injury.
Seek medical attention
Your immediate concern should be your health. Following a personal injury, see a doctor immediately. Sometimes the symptoms of an injury are not immediately apparent. Even if this is the case, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Gather evidence
Gather as much evidence of the accident as you can. Suffering an injury can be jarring, but try to remain clear-headed and document the scene by writing down everything that happened and taking pictures of the area.
Get information
Get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. These witnesses could be crucial to your case. If applicable, get the contact information of the property owner, as well.
File your suit
There is no time limit to filing a lawsuit against a private individual, but there may be a time limit on whether you can collect compensation for your injury. If you are filing a suit against a government entity, there is usually a statute of limitations on how soon you may file a claim. Therefore, you should file your suit as quickly as possible. Consult a personal injury lawyer who can assist you in collecting compensation for a personal injury.