Personal Injury | July 15, 2022

Things to Do After an Accidental Injury

Injuries happen regularly in and around Sumner, Washington, and many injuries happen due to the negligence of others. When this occurs, you deserve compensation for your medical bills and other losses, though you need to take steps to protect your health and legal rights. Following a traffic accident in Sumner (or any other type of accident), make sure to consider the following and contact a personal injury lawyer for more information.

Steps to take after an Accident

1. Call 911

The first thing that you should consider following an accident is to call for assistance. If you can, call 911 or your local emergency number. Someone else might call if you cannot locate or use your phone.   Once you notify the emergency operator, they will be able to guide you through the process. They will ask for your location and confirm if there is any visible bleeding or obvious injuries. They will also ask about any injured person in the accident or whether they are still at the scene.

2. Consider Medical Attention

Emergency personnel might recommend ambulance transportation due to the severity of your injuries. If so, you should strongly consider their advice and allow transport to the hospital for emergency trauma care.   Even if you do not need an ambulance, you should consider being checked out by a doctor if you believe you have injuries.   Once you have a diagnosis of your injuries and a treatment plan, be sure to follow the recommendations of your medical providers. If you stop treatment early or fail to make your appointments or physical therapy, it can give the insurance company reason to challenge your claim and more importantly can impact your ability to feel better and make a full recovery.  

3. Be Leary of Speaking with Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

Insurance company representatives might contact you in the days following the accident, and it is best to avoid giving them too much information, especially when you are considering retaining counsel. Be mindful that details of statements provided to insurance companies can be used against you and your claim. When we are hired, we do not allow statements of our clients by an at-fault parties’ insurance company. Instead, all communications will go through our office to ensure our clients can focus on their treatment and recovery, as opposed to worrying about what or what not to say to the insurance company of the party who caused your injuries.   Be wary of accepting a settlement offer early in the process and without speaking with a lawyer. Settlement is a one-time shot. You don’t get a re-do or do over, even if you didn’t understand the extent or severity of your injuries or didn’t understand exactly what you were agreeing to. It is important to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries and treatment so that any settlement offer can be viewed with the full injury claim in focus.

Contact a Sumner Personal Injury Attorney for Legal Help

After an accident, it is essential to know your rights. You may not realize that you have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the negligent party. We are happy to discuss your claim and respond to questions you may have about the process and the consultation is free.   Our  Sumner personal injury lawyer from Anderson Law | Injury Attorneys can begin protecting your rights and handling the legal process right away, and advise on what to do or not do following an injury. Contact us today for a free consultation today.

The information contained on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Nothing in this website establishes an attorney-client relationship between us. Different facts can dramatically affect a legal opinion. You should consult an attorney for legal advice that pertains to your personal situation.