If you are hurt in a car accident or a slip and fall or any other type of injury, there are certain things you should do and know - the first of which is to take care of yourself. Seek medical treatment for your pain and injuries immediately. If you felt fine at first but experience pain or discomfort a few days later, get medical treatment. At the end of the day, regardless of who is at fault, your health is the most important thing.
Next, complete an accident form or police report. If you are unable to do so, have an independent, trustworthy party do it. For example, if you slipped and fell in a store, the store is a potential defendant. The store may be reluctant to provide you with an accident report. Get an independent one from the police or demand a signed copy from the store.
Write down what happened. For your doctor's sake, for your lawyer's sake, for the police' sake and for memory's sake, record it in a journal. Memories tend to fade or be skewed over time and you don't want to forget any important (or valuable) details.
But, don't share it with anyone other than the police, your doctor or your lawyer. Tread carefully with potential defendants and their representatives. A potential defendant's insurance company or other representative may try to get you to give a signed statement. Do not do this without a lawyer. You run the risk of having your words twisted and severely hurting any potential case you may have.
In addition to writing down the events as you remember them in your own private journal, take photos and videos of your injuries or other damage. This should also be done immediately and will assist in proving liability. A good Illinois personal injury lawyer will advise you on the importance of such documentation.
Keep accurate records of all medical expenses incurred and lost wages or time away from work. Even if your insurance pays a medical bill, it will still be included in your damages. So, keep track of all of this information.
Be mindful that when neighbors, co-workers, family and friends hear of what happened to you, they will offer unsolicited legal and other advice or share stories of someone in the same situation who recovered a certain amount of money. Do not take any of this to heart. No two cases are exactly the same. There are many differentiating factors, such as degree of injury and other facts.
Instead, do the above and focus on getting well. Until your medical treatment is complete, you cannot settle a case.
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