What You Don't Know May Hurt You

You may have heard the saying before – “What you don’t know may hurt you” and that is true when it comes to accidents and personal injuries. Did you know:

  • You have to file a No Fault application within 30 days of an accident with the insurance company for the car you were travelling in to preserve your rights to recover medical bills and lost wages?
  • You will not be “automatically” compensated by an insurance company or other carriers  without taking the necessary steps to preserve your rights within the requisite time limits?
  • Many times the shock and trauma of an accident will mask your symptoms of injuries?
  • If you delay seeking medical attention your injuries may get worse?
  • In some cases, injuries from an accident do not show up right away but you may still be compensated for your loss from the accident if you take the necessary steps to preserve your legal rights?
  • If it looks too good to be true it probably is? Many employers, property owners and drivers will not want you to report an accident and will try to settle with you before you fully assess the extent of your damages and some insurance companies will even tell you "that you don't need a lawyer" . 

You need to know your rights fully in the event of a personal injury and you need to know that what you don’t know immediately may hurt you unless you protect your rights. What’s the best way to protect yourself in an accident? First, seek medical attention – even if you don’t think you need it. You never know what may be happening internally in your body or brain that could cause serious damage in the future. Next, contact us or another attorney to fully protect your rights. Our motto is – Know Your Rights Just in Case.   

Tags: , , , , , ,

Protect Your Rights

QUICK TIPS FOR ALL ACCIDENTS:

  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible. That's your first priority.
  • Retain all medical records and bills that come into your possession.
  • Maintain a list of all healthcare providers with whom you come into contact.
  • Secure a copy of the police report.
  • Keep a careful list of witnesses' names and addresses.
  • Provide your attorney with all photographs of the accident scene and vehicles or objects involved in the accident.
  • Save your cast, hardware, pins, braces, screws and prescription drug bottles.

Don't speak to anyone without the advice of counsel.

The attorney you choose, and your health care professional, should be the only people with whom you discuss the details of your injury. Insurance companies, potential defendants, and others may attempt to contact you in the hopes of securing a written or verbal statement from you about the accident to which you may be a party. They do this to protect themselves against financial responsibility. Don't speak to anyone without the advice of counsel! If you are in doubt, contact your attorney immediately to seek professional advice.

Follow the advice of your healthcare professional for a full recovery.
If you have been hurt in an accident on or off the job, your first priority is your full recovery.

  • Follow the advice of your healthcare professionals so that you have every chance for a speedy convalescence.
  • Keep every appointment with doctors, therapists, chiropractors, etc., so that your providers can measure your progress at appropriate intervals to determine the length and scope of your treatment towards a complete recovery.

Keep all records and bills. Keep track of your contacts throughout your recovery.

  • Get business cards so that contact can be made with all your healthcare providers in the future should you decide to seek representation.
  • It is important to save all records and bills that might be in your possession. Your attorney will almost always ask for them.
  • If you are unable to, or if your doctor advises you not to work, keep excellent records of the time you lose from work. The amount of your lost earnings may be recoverable.

Take pictures of the damage.
Whether you are in a car accident, slip and fall or experience medical malpractice, it is important for you to take pictures to document the circumstances and damage.

If you were involved in an auto accident, do not repair of YOUR vehicle until you or your attorney has arranged for photographs of the damage. A significant part of your case will depend on the collection of pertinent documentation and supporting evidence that proves your damages and injuries. Pictures of your vehicle may be evidence of point of impact, and provide important information as it relates to liability.

Tags: , , , , , , ,