Do's and Don'ts After an Accident or Injury
THE DO's
- DO seek proper medical attention before doing anything else.
- DO summon the police, in appropriate cases.
- DO cooperate with all law enforcement and emergency personnel who respond to the scene.
- DO get the license plate numbers of all other vehicles involved in car accidents and the drivers' names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information.
- DO get the name and address of the animal's owner and any license information if you were injured by an animal bite or attack.
- DO write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all potential witnesses to any accident or injury.
- DO contact your health, homeowner's, and/or automobile insurance companies, as appropriate.
- DO take photographs of all of the following, as applicable, as soon as possible after the accident:
- The scene of the accident, from all angles.
- The surrounding area.
- The product or animal that caused your injuries.
- Your injuries.
- Any property damage.
- DO contact an experienced accident and injury attorney.
THE DON'Ts
- DON'T move your vehicle after an automobile accident, unless necessary for safety or required by law.
- DON'T subject yourself to further injury by standing or waiting in an area near traffic or other safety hazards.
- DON'T leave the scene of an accident until the police tell you it is okay to do so.
- DON'T throw away any potential evidence in the case, such as defective products, important documents, or torn or blood-stained clothing.
- DON'T engage in discussions of fault with anyone, and make sure you don't apologize for anything -- doing so can be considered evidence that you may have been legally at fault.
- DON'T agree to settlement terms without discussing the matter with your attorney.
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