Do’s & Don’ts
Do’s And Don’ts If You Are Injured
Do report the injury immediately, including (as appropriate) to law enforcement, your employer, property owners and insurance companies.
If you are injured at work, your employer should be notified immediately. If you are injured in an auto, truck or traffic collision, the appropriate law-enforcement agencies must be notified immediately. If you are injured in a store or at a business, or on someone’s property, it is important that the owner or manager be notified immediately. Any insurance company insuring anyone involved should also be notified immediately.
Do get medical attention immediately.
It is very important that you immediately receive appropriate medical care and attention. Do not put off seeing a doctor. Do not try to “tough it out.” This may mean calling in ambulance. It may mean having someone take you to the emergency room. It may mean calling your regular treating physician and scheduling an immediate appointment. Whatever method you use, it is important that you do it immediately.
Do describe the full extent of your injuries to health care providers.
When you visit with healthcare providers, tell them what happened, and how you were hurt. Completely describe your injuries and the problems you are having. Fully describing your symptoms and injuries will enable healthcare providers to have the information they need to treat you. It will also allow them to make an accurate record of what happened and the injuries you sustained.
Do get the names, phone numbers and insurance information of others involved, as well as the names and addresses of any witnesses.
Get the names, phone numbers and insurance information of others involved, and the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. If you are seriously injured, you will likely not be able to get this information. A friend, family member or attorney may be able to get it for you.
Do get photographs of the scene, vehicles and/or equipment involved.
Get photographs of the injury scene and of vehicles or equipment involved as soon as possible. If you are seriously injured, you will likely not be able to get this information. A friend, family member or attorney may be able to get photographs for you. Pictures taken immediately following an injury can be extremely important.
Do fully describe to healthcare providers any additional problems or symptoms you notice in the time period following the injury.
The complete extent of your injuries may not be initially apparent. Fully describe to health care providers any additional problems or symptoms you have following the injury.
Do Not either minimize or exaggerate your injuries.
In speaking with care providers and others, be as objective and accurate as possible in describing your injuries. Do not say “I am fine” when you are not.
Do Not give an insurance agent or representative of someone else involved a statement without first visiting with an attorney.
At some point, you may be contacted by a representative of an insurance company or of someone else who was involved in the incident. You should consult with an attorney experienced in personal injury matters before you visit with the insurance agent or representative. The attorney will be able to help prepare you provide a complete and accurate statement of what happened, and of your injuries and expected treatment.
Depending on the circumstances, you may have a claim for damages. If you believe your injury was caused by fault or negligence of someone else, consult an attorney experienced in personal injury cases.