The first thing to do is to contact a qualified personal injury attorney. At CaseyGerry, the following are the key action items we provide to our clients:
Keep records – If you or someone close to you has been injured, it is important to keep records of what happened, the symptoms, and treatment received. If possible, keep a notebook with related dates and events noted, and the names and contact info for people who have information. Keep any important documents (like receipts, letters, police reports) and document any injuries with photos or videos.
Confidentiality – All case-related communications with our office are strictly confidential. If you are consulting our firm for possible representation, this applies even if we do not end up representing you. Because of this confidentiality, it is important that you feel comfortable discussing with us all aspects of your case, including anything that you think might hurt your case. The earlier our office learns of a potential problem with a case, the better we are able to plan to deal with that issue.
Follow your doctor’s instructions – If your doctors or other medical care providers make recommendations and you have appointments, it is important that you follow those recommendations and keep those appointments. The first reason is for your own health and wellbeing. But also, if you do not, the defense may use that against you and it could hurt your case.
Be careful about discussing your case – The other side in your case can get information that you’ve shared with other people through investigations. Defendants can take that information out of context, and use it against you in your case. That is why it’s generally better not to discuss the details of your case other than with employees of our office, your spouse (only if married), your doctors, and others with whom we instruct you to discuss it.
Social media – Be mindful that the other side in a lawsuit will often visit the social media sites of the injured person, and those close to them, to find things to help defend their case. Seemingly minor posts can be taken out of context and used against the injured person years later. Be mindful of this when using social media.
Statements to insurers – If you have filed a claim with the responsible person or company’s insurance carrier, they may ask you for a statement. Sometimes they will want to record it. In general, we recommend against making these statements if you are considering filing a lawsuit. If you choose to do so, before making any statement, you should consider that your interests are not aligned with theirs, and they can use what you say against you in a future lawsuit.
Medical treatment – It is important that you keep our office advised of your medical treatment if we are evaluating your case, or if we are representing you in a case.
Save and send us copies of your bills – It is important that you send copies of all bills (whether or not paid by insurance) to our office. Request a receipt for any expenses that you incur as a result of the incident.