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In the chaotic aftermath of an auto accident, you may need to go to the emergency room to seek treatment for your injuries. Don’t worry about contacting a California personal injury lawyer right away; get safe and stable before proceeding with legal actions.
However, you should also keep these key five things in mind when you go to the emergency room after an accident. They may help any future lawsuit succeed or prevent you from inadvertently damaging your case.
Keep Your Accident Descriptions Concise
It might be tempting to ramble on about what occurred in your car accident to your nurses or doctor, but try to keep your descriptions concise.
The more details you add to your accident description, the greater the odds that a nurse or doctor could twist your words and cause confusion when legal experts discuss the details of your case with medical staff. The more concise your descriptions are, the less likely it is that a medical professional will misremember something and damage your case.
Always Be Careful of What You Say
In addition, be very careful about what you say and keep your story straight. Don’t say different things to different people or overestimate your discomfort/pain. What you say can and will be written down multiple times; the more consistent your message is, the better it will look in court.
Similarly, be careful of what you sign. For example, you have to sign a form to consent to treatment or sign forms for your insurance coverage. What you sign could affect your lawsuit in the future and be used as evidence of your feelings or symptoms at the time of your treatment.
Don’t Leave Out Any Symptom Information
As medical personnel asks you about your symptoms, don’t leave anything out. Be detailed and specific about what you feel, including any aches or pains. Even if your discomfort seems mild at first, it could be the precursor to a more serious condition.
Furthermore, you must provide detailed information so that your doctors can give you accurate, helpful treatments and avoid misdiagnosis.
Medical Costs May Be High
Even if you have insurance, keep in mind that your hospital charges could very well be higher than you anticipate. Hospitals often prioritize giving you the best or most immediate treatments and care rather than the most affordable care. This may result in you getting exorbitant bills. Don’t worry right away; you and your personal injury lawyer may be able to renegotiate these bills down or have their costs covered by the at-fault party from your accident.
Ask for Written Instructions for Further Care
Lastly, always ask your medical attendants to give you written instructions for any further care you may need after being discharged. Not only will this help you follow their instructions correctly, but the written instructions can also be used as evidence for your injuries and treatment requirements in a car accident lawsuit.
For more information about what to do immediately after an accident, contact us today and let us help you with your personal injury case.