What to do after you have been injured?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
A: First, you must have suffered an injury to your person or property. Second, you should consider whether your injury was someone else’s fault. It is not always necessary to have a physical injury to bring a personal injury lawsuit….
Many people are unsure of what to do after they have been seriously injured in an accident or due to the negligence of another. However, prompt action and knowing the steps you need to take can be critical to your ability to recover compensation should you decide to file a lawsuit. It is easy to lose crucial evidence during the days or weeks following your accident if you are not careful.
At the STASKUS LAW FIRM, we encourage you to complete these tasks if you have been injured:
Obtain contact information from witnesses. Our firm uses this information to contact witnesses and collect statements regarding what they saw the day of your accident. Their accounts may shed light on the moments immediately before your accident occurred or the events that followed.
Seek medical attention. Even if you do not have any obvious injuries, visiting a doctor or hospital is always a good idea. The signs of some serious — and potentially deadly — injuries are subtle and are often not recognizable until your condition has worsened. Early treatment can be key to a full recovery.
Take color photos of your injuries and damaged property. When it comes to presenting evidence of physical damage, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Being able to show the severity of lacerations or the duration of a deep tissue bruise is tangible evidence that cannot be ignored. Likewise, a photo of bloody clothes or a damaged car shows the true effect the other party’s actions had on your property.
Write down your account of the accident. Memories fade over time. As weeks or months pass, you may begin to forget small but important details related to the circumstances surrounding your injury. Preserving your account of how an accident occurred and who was present gives us a clearer idea of who to talk to and what we should research about road or property conditions.
If applicable, obtain a copy of a police report. A police report is an effective tool that can be used to establish liability if the report is accurate. If a report contains mistakes, it is vital we know of these errors to take appropriate steps in disproving them.
Follow the doctor’s orders. Do not skip any appointments or stop attending physical therapy until your treatment is complete. Doing so can damage your case.
Keep copies of your medical records and any related bills. Medical records showing the dates you went to the doctor and their assessment of your condition allows your attorney to show your injuries are a direct result of an accident and are not from a pre-existing condition. Additionally, documenting the monetary expenses you have incurred as a result of your injury makes it easier to estimate the damages you should receive.
Save receipts for any repairs made to your property and records of lost wages. These documents can also be used to establish the extent of your economic losses.
Contact the STASKUS LAW FIRM for a free case evaluation
The San Jose Offices of THE STASKUS LAW FIRM is ready to stand up for your rights when you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Whether seeking representation from a California trucking accident law firm, motorcycle accident attorneys in San Jose, CA, or experienced legal counsel with some other type of accident or injury, contact our office online or at (408) 479-5822 to schedule a free consultation with ATTORNEY KIM DAVID STASKUS today. We serve clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, San Jose, Gilroy, and Santa Cruz.