A Practical Guide to Recovering After an Injury Accident
Being injured in an accident can disrupt your entire life. It can force you to take time off from work with missed pay, hurt your ability to pay your bills, and cause emotional distress. Despite this, you’ll need to make a handful of complex decisions regarding medical care, insurance claims, and more. Handling these decisions can impact both your recovery and financial security.
This article presents a structured, practical approach to managing your most important decisions post-accident.
See a doctor even if you don’t think your injury is serious
Sometimes pain caused by serious injuries is masked by shock and stress. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s critical to get checked out by a doctor immediately. Trained medical professionals will know what to look for and can run tests that will show hidden symptoms, like internal bleeding and bone fractures.
In addition to caring for yourself, seeking immediate medical attention will help you recover compensation, whether you pursue a lawsuit or accept a settlement from an insurance company. Without medical documentation as a foundation, you won’t be able to recover any funds.
Get legal help fast
The process of dealing with insurance adjusters and negotiating a fair settlement is tough without an attorney. Many people find that consulting a personal injury attorney reduces anxiety and stress, even if they ultimately negotiate a settlement through insurance rather than taking their case to court. Dealing with the technicalities while you’re injured can be extremely stressful, and speaking with an experienced lawyer is the best way to get peace of mind.
Document the incident thoroughly
Detailed documentation will make or break your ability to recover a fair settlement for your injury. Thorough evidence strengthens claims and reduces ambiguity that leads to reduced or dismissed settlements.
At minimum, take photos and video of the scene, including close-ups of vehicles, property damage, your injuries, and the surrounding conditions. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, document the road conditions and any hazards that may have contributed to the accident. If you were injured in a store, take photos documenting obstacles or unsafe conditions, such as broken steps or handrails.
If you didn’t collect witness information at the scene, ask in your local Facebook group if anyone witnessed the accident and is willing to provide a statement. Third-party accounts can confirm events in the case of conflicting stories.
Keep a recovery journal
While it’s important to document your injuries, it’s even more important to document your recovery process. Keep a journal that tracks your daily symptoms, pain levels, medications taken, and any days of work you’ve missed. This is critical because if you experience headaches weeks after a mild concussion, your logbook will strengthen the link between your headaches and the accident. This can help you recover more compensation.
Follow through with specialist referrals
If your doctor refers you to a specialist, don’t skip the appointment. Not only will skipping specialist referrals make it look like you aren’t really injured, but you might really need specialist care. Certain therapies and treatments can be extremely helpful, and skipping them can prolong your recovery.
Be strategic when communicating with insurance adjusters
Insurance adjusters only have one goal: to pay you as little as possible. They might sound sympathetic on the phone, but they’re fierce negotiators who will force you to fight hard for every extra dollar. They’re also on the lookout for reasons to deny or devalue claims. When communicating with insurance adjusters, avoid making any statements they can use to deny your claim or lower your payout. Stick to the facts and don’t make any comments speculating about fault or that you think you’re “fine.” It will be used against your claim.
Keep in mind that the insurance company’s initial settlement offer will be exceptionally low, and that’s on purpose. Don’t accept a settlement without talking to a lawyer first. It’s the best way to avoid making statements that can undermine your claim.
Stay off social media completely
It’s not enough to avoid posting about your injury on social media. Don’t post anything at all. Not even comments on other people’s posts. All of your online activity can be used against you to deny your claim or lower your payout. Even posting a selfie with a smile can be framed as proof that you’re healed.
Take back control
Recovering after an injury takes time and patience. It’s rarely a straight line and almost never happens as fast as you hope. However, with proper documentation and the help of a skilled lawyer, you can reduce your stress, start the healing process, and recover the compensation you deserve.
