What You Need to Do After a Personal Injury Accident
Injury can be frightening and traumatic when it happens unexpectedly. Knowing what to do after an injury helps safeguard your health and legal rights.
An injury may alter your life. The severity of the damage can make recovery difficult. The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C.’s Massachusetts personal injury lawyers can help you after a vehicle accident, workplace accident, or other traumatic event. We understand how personal injuries can hurt you and your family physically, emotionally, and financially.
Go through the processes one by one to cover all your bases while handling a personal injury case and maximize your recovery. Following an injury in Massachusetts, this article will guide you:
- Call the Police
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Report the Injury to the Appropriate Authorities
- Document the Scene
- Start Gathering Information
- Preserve Evidence
- Understand Massachusetts Personal Injury Laws
- Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
- File a Personal Injury Claim
- Focus on Your Recovery
Call the Police
After a Massachusetts accident that leaves you injured, calling the police can preserve your safety and legal rights. Police can secure a dangerous scenario, like a car accident blocking traffic or a dangerous atmosphere.
Police officers are trained to evaluate scenes impartially. The police report may reveal who was at fault. Their report is an official record of the occurrence that might help with insurance claims and legal processes. It covers crucial accident details, contributory variables, and witness and party statements.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Seek medical assistance immediately if you’ve been sick or injured at work or in a car accident. Your Health should always come first.
Call for emergency medical services if necessary. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away, so obtain a comprehensive medical evaluation even if your injuries seem mild.
Report the Injury to the Appropriate Authorities
Reporting the accident and injuries immediately after being wounded is crucial. The type of injury may need reporting to authorities. Notifying them of the incident immediately protects your rights and eligibility for benefits. For example:
- Car Accidents: Report the accident to the local police and your insurance company.
- Workplace Injuries: Report the incident to your employer immediately and complete any necessary workplace injury reports.
- Slip and Fall Injuries: Inform the property owner, manager, or tenant of the incident and ensure they make a record of it.
Give precise facts about the accident while reporting the injury. Explain the incidence, injury, and other causes. This information is crucial for documentation and investigation.
Document the Scene
Document the accident or injury scene if possible. Photograph the accident site, cause, and injuries. Photographs can be useful evidence in a claim or litigation.
Any other physical evidence and incident data should be saved. Include what happened before, during, and after your injury. Date, time, place, weather, who was there, what was said, and what you felt should be included.
Start Gathering Information
Do everything possible to document the accident that wounded you. Gather all the facts you can to assist yourself afterward. For workplace injuries, keep copies of all correspondence between you and your employer, your medical care provider, and the insurance company. Keep track of medical bills and lost work due to injuries.
Gather witness names and contact information. Witness testimony can improve your case and provide crucial incident details. Their statements can support your story. Our Massachusetts personal injury lawyer can help you acquire case information.
Preserve Evidence
Keep medical records, damaged property, and torn clothing from your injury. These are essential for claims and lawsuits. Keep all injury, medical, and expense records.
Understand Massachusetts Personal Injury Laws
Learn about the state’s personal injury laws. Learn the personal injury statute of limitations, which is the deadline for taking legal action.
Most Massachusetts personal injury cases have a three-year statute of limitations. You have three years from the date of your injury to sue for damages. If you fail to file a claim within this limit, the court may dismiss it.
The discovery rule is important in personal injury cases, especially when the effects of an injury aren’t immediately obvious. The discovery rule tackles the issue of when an accident victim should be aware of their injuries and the irresponsible activities that caused them.
The discovery rule starts the statute of limitations when the injury is found or reasonably should have been discovered. Special conditions may prolong the statute of limitations in personal injury cases. For instance:
- Minors: If the aggrieved party is under 18, the statute of limitations may be tolled until they become 18. When they turn 18, the three-year countdown begins.
- Government Claims: Different regulations apply if the accountable party is a government agency or employee, and claim deadlines may be shorter.
- People with Mental Condition: If a person with a mental condition experiences an injury but doesn’t fully comprehend its nature or the negligent actions that caused it until later, the statute of limitations clock would start from the time they reasonably should have made the connection.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
We recommend consulting our Massachusetts personal injury attorney following an injury. We will assess your rights and legal choices. We can help you navigate the judicial system.
File a Personal Injury Claim
If someone else’s negligence or intent caused damage, filing a personal injury claim might restore balance. When filing, follow your state’s deadlines and procedures. If you have a viable personal injury claim, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyer will help you submit a claim with the insurance company or sue the liable party.
Focus on Your Recovery
Throughout the process, prioritize your recovery and follow the medical advice given to you by healthcare professionals. Your health and well-being are essential, and taking care of yourself will also help strengthen your case.
How a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Helps You Know What to Do After an Injury
An injury can change your life, leaving you unsure of your legal rights and immediate steps. However, understanding what to do after an injury is crucial for health and compensation. You can protect yourself, obtain vital evidence, and make educated legal judgments by following these steps.
In these stressful circumstances, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C. will provide legal assistance and support. Personal injury lawyers at our office have vast expertise defending Massachusetts clients. We will help you gather evidence, arrange witnesses, file paperwork, and advocate for reasonable compensation.
If you or your loved ones have suffered an injury, take action today and remember that you are not alone in this journey. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and let us handle the complexities of your legal journey so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
