Are you wondering what to do after a personal injury accident in Durham, North Carolina? The steps you take in the aftermath of an injury can greatly impact your health and financial recovery. This is why having the right support and guidance is so important as you move forward.
At Kreger Brodish LLP, our personal injury lawyers in Durham are here to help you through this challenging time. We can handle all elements of your claim so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a Durham personal injury attorney. Let us help you understand your options and take the next step toward getting the compensation you deserve.
Do I Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim?
Determining whether you have a valid personal injury claim requires considering several key factors. First, think about the cause of your injury. Was it due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing? For instance, did you get hurt in a collision caused by a distracted driver or sustain injuries in a slip-and-fall on unsafe property? If so, this could indicate a potential claim.
The personal and financial impacts of your injury are also significant. Did you incur medical bills, suffer income losses, or experience significant pain? These are additional signs that you might have a claim since you must demonstrate compensable losses to pursue a successful personal injury case.
While these factors might suggest you have a claim, the only way to be sure is to consult an attorney handling personal injury cases. They can assess the specifics of your case, explain your rights, and help you evaluate your options.
Steps to Take After an Injury
Experiencing an unexpected injury can be overwhelming, but taking the right actions can protect your health and safety in addition to your legal rights. Here’s what to do after a personal injury.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health and safety should always be your top priorities after an injury accident. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t show immediate symptoms but can become serious without proper treatment. A medical professional can evaluate your condition and provide the treatment necessary to prevent complications.
Seeing a doctor also creates an official medical record of your injuries, which can be crucial if you choose to file a personal injury claim later. This documentation will provide vital evidence that your injuries were directly related to the incident. Make sure to follow all medical advice and attend any follow-up appointments. This can aid in your recovery and strengthen your injury claim.
Report the Injury
After you address your immediate medical needs, you should report the injury to the appropriate parties. If you haven’t already, remember to call the police and file a report after a car accident. You should also report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide accurate and necessary information, but avoid making any statements the insurance adjuster could use against you later.
For workplace injuries, notify your employer right away. In most cases, you must report a work-related injury within a specific timeframe to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. When you report the injury, include as much detail as possible about how it happened and the extent of your injuries. It’s best to provide a written report and keep a copy for your records.
Gather Evidence
Collecting evidence after an injury can play a critical role in supporting your claim. If possible, gather as much information as you can at the scene. Take photos or videos of the accident site, your injuries, and other relevant details. If you were in a car accident, photograph the vehicles involved and any visible injuries, skid marks, or traffic signs. If your injury resulted from a dangerous condition a property owner should’ve warned you about, such as a wet floor or broken sidewalk, capture it clearly with photos.
If a defective product caused your injury, keep the product in its current condition and do not attempt to fix it. The product itself could provide key evidence in your case. Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the incident, ask for their contact information. Their testimony could be valuable in supporting your version of events.
Contact an Attorney
One of the most important steps you can take after an injury is to contact an attorney. A Durham personal injury lawyer with experience in cases like yours can help you understand your legal rights and handle the process of filing a claim while you recuperate. They can evaluate the details of your case to determine if you have a viable claim and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney will also handle all communications with other parties involved in your case — including insurance companies and opposing counsel — to protect your interests. They can also gather additional evidence and consult with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. The legal process can be complex, but having an experienced North Carolina attorney by your side can make it more straightforward and improve your likelihood of achieving a positive outcome.
Avoid Social Media
It’s essential to be careful about what you share on social media after an injury accident. Insurers and opposing parties often monitor social media accounts to gather evidence they can use against you. Adjusters could find and misinterpret even seemingly harmless posts and use them to undermine your claim.
For example, if you post pictures or videos of yourself participating in physical activities, even if they are unrelated to your injury, it could suggest that your condition is not as severe as you claim. To protect your case, it’s best to avoid posting anything about the accident, your injuries, or ongoing legal matters online. If you must use social media, adjust your privacy settings to restrict who has access to your posts, and avoid accepting friend requests from those you don’t know.
Keep a Journal Documenting Your Injuries
A detailed journal of your injuries and how they affect your daily life can be a powerful tool in your personal injury case. Start by recording the events leading up to the injury, including the date, time, and what you were doing at the time of the incident. Then, regularly document your symptoms, pain levels, and any limitations you experience as a result of the injury.
Be sure to note how your injuries impact your ability to work, perform daily tasks, and enjoy activities you love. This documentation can provide valuable insights into the extent of your injuries and their effects on your life. It also allows you to track your progress and recovery over time. Journal entries can offer compelling evidence of the physical and emotional toll your injuries have taken on you when negotiating a settlement or presenting your case in court.
Damages Available in Personal Injury Claims
When you file a personal injury claim, you can demand damages (money) for the personal and financial losses resulting from your injuries. A personal injury lawyer in Durham, NC, can pursue monetary compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses related to your injury
- Out-of-pocket costs you incur for things like traveling to necessary medical appointments
- Income losses from any hours or days you miss at work while recovering
- Projected losses in your future earning capacity
- Subjective losses like pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
Understand the North Carolina Statute of Limitations
North Carolina’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the injury date to sue the party who caused you harm. If you attempt to sue after this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case. This means waiting too long could cause you to lose your right to pursue compensation for your losses.
The best way to avoid this possibility is to contact a lawyer immediately. An attorney can identify the relevant deadline and file your injury claim on time. They will handle all the legal aspects of your case promptly, so you don’t have to worry about missing the filing window.
How Can Our North Carolina Injury Lawyers Help?
Having an experienced attorney working on your case can make all the difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim. The Durham personal injury lawyers at Kreger Brodish LLP can help you with your case by:
- Gathering, preserving, and evaluating evidence related to your injury
- Interviewing witnesses to support your version of events
- Analyzing medical records to document the extent of your injuries
- Consulting experts like accident reconstructionists to support your case
- Calculating the full value of your claim, including future medical costs and lost earning potential
- Communicating with the other party’s legal team on your behalf
- Negotiating with insurers and opposing attorneys to seek a fair settlement
- Filing all necessary legal paperwork on time to avoid missing deadlines
- Representing you in court if your case goes to trial
- Never charging you anything unless we recover compensation for your personal injury claim
Contact Our North Carolina Injury Attorneys for a Free Case Review
If you get hurt and need legal help, don’t wait to get the support you need. Contact Kreger Brodish LLP today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Our personal injury attorneys in Durham, NC, are ready to listen, provide clear guidance, and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
