What to Do After an Accident
Protecting Your Rights after You Have Been Injured
In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, when you are uncertain of the full extent of your injuries, and may be uncertain whether you can leave the scene of the accident under your own power, you can easily forget or neglect to do a few simple things that can help protect your rights. Here’s a checklist to help you make certain your interests are safeguarded.
The first and most important thing to do is get the medical attention you need. If you are uncertain whether you can move or even leave the scene of the accident without medical attention, don’t try. Wait until emergency medical personnel arrive on the scene, if necessary. This is not the time to dust yourself off and be on your way. It’s the time to make certain you don’t do anything that will make your condition worse.
When you do go for medical treatment, make certain that you tell doctors and nurses about anything that seems out of the ordinary, and any part of your body that seems abnormal. Don’t just focus on the broken leg and neglect to tell doctors about the stiffness or soreness in your back, neck, jaw muscles or joints, or about the headache you are experiencing. Often, the most serious injuries are those that are not immediately apparent. Also, make certain that anything you tell doctors or nurses is documented in writing, so that it becomes a permanent part of your medical record.
It is also important to obtain contact information from anyone involved in the accident, as well as any potential witnesses. You may be unable to do so because of your injuries, but ask someone on the scene, including a police officer, if necessary, to obtain name, address, phone number, e-mail address or other pertinent information.
Pictures from the scene of the accident can be extremely helpful to your attorney. If you are able, use the camera in your phone to take pictures of the cars, the intersection, any traffic signs or signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries you have suffered. If you cannot take pictures, ask someone else on the scene.
Contact Our Office
At the office of Harold J. Gerr, Attorney at Law, we have fought for the rights of personal injury victims in central New Jersey for more than three decades. We carefully choose the cases we handle, so that we can provide the highest levels of service and personal attention to each client. We are also happy to take over your case, if your first lawyer does not seem to have your best interests in mind.
To set us a free initial consultation, contact us online or call our office at 732-537-8570 (toll free at
1-877-249-4600).
