You've been injured, now what? Each year, more than 200,000 people die from injuries in the U.S. while countless others suffer severe injuries. A vast number of injuries are victimless and due to personal mistakes. However, many other injuries happen as a result of negligence on behalf of another person or party. Anytime injuries are suffered, it can be a stressful and confusing situation. It is best to be prepared (just in case) so you can take the necessary steps to ensure your physical safety and financial safety. If you believe that you were injured because someone else was negligent, it is recommended that you consult with a seasoned personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Each state strictly adheres to a statute of limitations for victims to pursue personal injury claims, so it is important that you move as quickly as possible. If you are unsure where to start, call a personal injury lawyer for a consultation today. Learn more about what happens immediately after the injury below. 

Common Types of Accidents

Personal injury accidents come in all forms. You can be injured while driving, while on someone else's property, while at work, etc. Each type of accident will have a slightly different process for handling the personal injury case. However, dealing with the injury is relatively the same. Learn more about the most common types of personal injury accidents below. 

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents

  • Premises Liability 

  • Medical Malpractice

  • Wrongful Death 

  • Workplace Accidents

  • Products Liability 

Steps to Take After You Have Been Injured

Whether you have been injured via car accident, medical malpractice, premises liability, etc. it is your duty to ensure that you are taken care of both medically and financially in the event that an accident occurs. If you are injured in any type of accident, it is recommended that you take the following steps.

  1. Get to a Safe Area: After an accident happens, move yourself to a safe place, take account of your injuries, and check on others to ensure that they are safe (if possible).

  2. Notify the Authorities: If you are at work, the authority would be a manager. Those injured while driving should immediately call the police. Essentially, it is in your best interest to notify the correct authority figures to properly record the accident. 

  3. Get Medical Help: Depending on the severity of your injuries, this may be the first step. Whenever you have been involved in a serious accident (i.e. slip and fall, car accident, medical malpractice, etc.) it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. This can be true even if you don't initially feel the effects of an injury. 

  4. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney: If you suspect that your injury has occurred due to the fault of another person, a personal injury attorney will have the experience and ability to thoroughly investigate the accident, negotiate with the insurance company, and give you the best opportunity to recoup financially for the injuries that you have suffered. 

When to Call a Personal Injury Attorney

It is best to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. In some cases, medical treatment will take precedence over contacting an attorney. However, as soon as you have the ability to do so, it is recommended that you consult with a proven personal injury lawyer. You can certainly file a personal injury case on your own and/or go to court without the help of an attorney. This is not recommended though. Insurance companies hire experienced and aggressive attorneys that are more interested in saving the company money than they are with fairly compensating you for injuries suffered. Contact a personal injury attorney to ensure that you are appropriately represented and offer yourself the best chances of being fully compensated.