If you’re injured in an accident that wasn’t any fault of your own, there are certain steps you need to take to protect yourself and make sure you get the medical care you need. Keep reading to learn what you should do if you’re injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Report the Incident

Anytime you or someone else is injured in an accident you should report it to the local authorities. In most cases, the police and emergency services will come out to the scene of the incident to access the situation and provide necessary medical care. They’ll also file a police report, which you may need at a later date. For example, if you’re injured in an accident and it was due to someone else’s negligence, you may want to file a personal injury claim. If you’re in New York and you hire a personal injury lawyer in White Plains, your lawyer may need a copy of the police report to use as evidence in your case.

Document the Incident Details If Possible

If you aren’t severely injured, you should try to document as many details surrounding the incident as possible. For example, if you slipped on an icy stoop, take a picture of the stoop with your phone or if you were in a car accident, take pictures of the vehicles involved and any road conditions, such as wet roads or traffic signs, that might be pertinent. By recording as much evidence as possible, it’s readily available if you need to file a personal injury claim later.

Get Medical Care

When you’re injured in an accident, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. However, if you don’t seek emergency medical care, you should, at the very least, follow up with your doctor. Your doctor can assess any injuries you have and recommend proper medical treatment. You can also explore natural remedies for treating injuries, but you should check with your doctor before you decide on a treatment plan.

Decide Whether to File a Personal Injury Claim

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding personal injury claims that often keep people from filing a claim when they should. However, if you sustained an injury due to someone else’s negligence and your health insurance doesn’t cover all of your medical bills or it causes you to miss work, lowering your income, you should consider filing. 

When you file a personal injury claim, your lawyer negotiates with the at-fault party’s insurance company to get your medical expenses and lost wages covered. The case only goes to court if a settlement can’t be reached outside of court, which in most cases it can. Also, you don’t have to pay your personal injury attorney upfront. Your attorney’s fees are deducted from any settlement you receive, which makes it possible for low-income individuals to file claims if needed. KFB Law is a great place to start if you are considering hiring a personal injury lawyer. 

Remember, accidents happen — all the time! But you shouldn’t suffer when someone else caused an accident that injured you. Whether you were in a car accident or you slipped on a wet floor in a store and a warning sign wasn’t properly displayed, you can file a personal injury claim to get reimbursement for any additional expenses you incur or wages you lose while you recover.