{"id":352940,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/first-steps-after-an-injury.html"},"modified":"2024-06-07T01:13:44","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T06:13:44","slug":"first-steps-after-an-injury","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/first-steps-after-an-injury.html","title":{"rendered":"First Steps After an Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First Steps After an Injury<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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After a serious injury, it’s wise to seek urgent medical care, file a police report if necessary, and preserve any evidence of the incident. Whether your injury was an accident or the result of an intentional act, you should also consider your legal options.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Getting injured can turn your life upside down. Depending on the severity of your injury, it can be a struggle to get back to normal. Protecting your legal rights isn’t usually the first thing you think of immediately after you sustain serious injuries. Still, you can save time and effort if you follow a few simple steps after an injury.<\/p>\n

This article provides information about what you should do after sustaining an injury. You can also consult with a personal injury lawyer<\/a> about this process. The article discusses how to obtain and use a police report and what to expect during your first meeting with an attorney. It also addresses what type of evidence to collect for a possible claim.<\/p>\n

This guide focuses on general personal injuries<\/a>,\u00a0including\u00a0premises liability<\/a>\u00a0cases,\u00a0dog bites<\/a>, and other types of <\/span>accidents. You can also find separate guides for what to do after a car accident<\/a> and after a workplace injury<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Seek Medical Care<\/span><\/h2>\n

A serious injury can be life-threatening<\/span>. If you were in a violent attack or major accident, get professional medical help promptly. You may need to call an ambulance, visit the\u00a0emergency room<\/span>, or go to urgent care<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Seeking medical care<\/span> can help you minimize the impact of an injury by creating a personalized treatment plan<\/span>. Attend any follow-up<\/span> visits with your doctor or physical therapy<\/span> clinic.<\/p>\n

While this step may seem obvious after an injury, many people are worried about the high cost of emergency care, so they sometimes avoid getting help. This hesitancy can risk an injury getting worse.<\/p>\n

Depending on the cause of injury, a successful insurance or personal injury claim<\/span><\/a> can lead to the recovery of your related medical expenses. Going to the hospital or clinic can help you build a strong case<\/span> later. Your medical records<\/span> can help prove the extent of your injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n

File a Police Report and Get a Copy<\/h2>\n

If you were in a serious accident (such as a car accident<\/a> or assault and battery<\/a>) and police responded, the police officer probably made an incident report. You generally have the right to receive a copy of a police report<\/a>. These accident reports can come in handy in a personal injury case, and insurance companies often require them to process claims. For this reason, getting a copy of the report is a good idea. Depending on the rules of the police department, you may need to appear in person to pick up a copy of the report. You may also need to pay a fee for the copy.<\/p>\n

The law enforcement report probably won’t be admissible in a civil court proceeding. However, it can still be helpful if you’re negotiating a personal injury dispute. For example, during an informal settlement discussion with the opposing side, you or your attorney can use the information in the police report to gain an advantage in negotiations.<\/p>\n

A police report made after you sustain\u00a0car accident injuries<\/a> may also include auto insurance information, as well as license plate number and driver’s license number information.<\/p>\n

Some facts that can prove useful are the circumstances surrounding the incident, which can include:<\/p>\n