What to do immediately following an accident, and why getting a knowledgeable attorney early is so important.
When you are involved in a car crash, the minutes and hours immediately following your accident are some the most crucial. The legal advice you seek and the actions you take will set the stage for determining “if” you will be compensated for your injuries.
So, what should you do after you have been involved in an accident? 1) Check For Injuries
First, verify that neither you nor any other occupants inside your vehicle have sustained any life threatening injuries; call 911 to report the accident; and if practical, stay in your vehicle. In most situations, you are safer from further injury when you remain inside your vehicle. Doing so also prevents witnesses from critiquing your actions and assessing whether or not you “appear” to be injured. Avoid speaking to the person that caused the accident. It is likely that the very first thing out of that person’s mouth will be, “are you alright?” Your answer to that question could come back to haunt you should you end up in a lawsuit. 2) Seek Medical Attention if Needed
Important:if you believe you are injured or may be injured, it is no time to be stubborn or tough. If you have any concern whatsoever about whether or not you are injured, you should be transported to the ER for medical evaluation. When you arrive at the ER be sure to tell the medical staff each every symptom you have, and be truthful about your medical history.
3) Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer
The days and weeks that follow an accident are likely to be very frustrating. You will likely find yourself being bombarded with worries about money, medical bills and missing work; and just wondering what to do. The sooner you retain an experienced personal injury attorney, the sooner you can focus on getting better and getting your life back together. Retaining an attorney will also grant you peace of mind that your case is in the hands of an experienced attorney.
So how do you find the best lawyer? We assure you the best attorneys are not found on television commercials; wrapped around buses, or plastered on billboards. You should never hire an attorney who will never personally meet with you. You should hire an attorney who understands how to maximize the value of your case, an attorney who takes the time to know you and understand how your car accident has affected you; and most importantly, an attorney who will fight for you.
At Batson Nolan, PLC , we have helped victims of personal injury in Tennessee and Kentucky for over 156 years, and we proudly stand by our results. We take the personal approach to each case and we aggressively fight for every client and family we represent.