An accident in Statesboro can change your life in profound ways. If you were seriously hurt, your injuries and treatment costs can stay you for years afterwards. Plus, you probably have to miss work because of the accident, which just increases the stress of bills and where to turn for help.
Contacting a personal injury attorney in Statesboro might seem like just one more thing to worry about after your accident, but it’s actually one of the best decisions you can make.
At John Foy & Associates, our clients trust us because they know we have their best interests in mind. Our personal injury attorneys in Statesboro, GA work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us upfront. You don’t have to worry about lawyer fees as you’ve navigating your personal injury accident case, and we only get paid if we win you money.
Statesboro attorneys can get to work immediately in helping you with your insurance claim—and every step in the process. For a FREE consultation to go over the details, give us a call any time at 404-341-6447 or fill out the form on this page.
What Should I Do After a Personal Injury Accident in Statesboro?
This question is hard to think about right after your injury occurs. You’re probably in a lot of pain and worried about the costs of the accident. Who do you talk to? Should you see a doctor? What about the bills that are adding up quickly?
The truth is, the steps you take after any personal injury accident (including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bite accidents, and more) can help protect your rights and increase your chances at full compensation.
The first thing you should understand is that insurance companies are (unfortunately) not your friends after an accident. They should have your best interests in mind, but most are looking at their bottom line. They want to pay out the smallest amount they can. So, instead of trusting the at-fault party’s insurance company to help you out, you’ll need to advocate for yourself.
Here are some of the steps you can take after an accident to legally protect yourself.
Call Police
If there are injuries, you should always call police to report the accident. Many times, officers will respond to the scene and ask you about what happened. If they ask whether you’re injured and you don’t feel pain, just reply that you “aren’t sure” instead of saying no. Sometimes accident injuries can take time to show up, so you don’t want the police report to say anything about no injuries if you develop them later.
Besides it being the legal thing to do, calling police to report an accident creates a record that it happened. You will need this for your personal injury claim.
What Pictures Should I Take After an Accident?
- The accident scene
- Your injuries
- Any property damage (such as vehicle damage)
- Any identifying nearby landmarks
- Other details you think are relevant to the accident
Picture evidence can be incredibly powerful in a personal injury claim. Even if the scene is moved or changed later, you will have proof of how the scene looked right after your accident.
Exchange Information with the Other Party
If you were in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, ask for the other driver’s name, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance carrier. Police will gather this information, as well, but it helps to have it yourself.
If you were injured because of a slip and fall accident, tell an employee of the store or talk to the property or business owner directly, if you can. If you were hurt because of a dog bite accident, talk to the dog’s owner and get their information.
Talk to Witnesses
Most of the time, there are other people around who see an accident happen. Don’t be afraid to ask them what they saw. And ask for their name and contact information. Your Statesboro personal injury lawyer will likely reach out to them later.
See a Doctor
If you have life-threatening injuries after your accident, get medical attention right away. But if you’re able to stay at the scene long enough to gather the above information, be sure to still see a doctor as soon as you can afterwards.
Injuries can change quickly with time, and you want to make sure there is evidence of them right after the accident and over time. A doctor can also create a treatment plan for your injuries going forward. You are entitled to seek compensation for the full costs of treatment, and that includes any long-term attention you’ll need to receive.
Save All Bills and Receipts
Although you are legally entitled to seek damages for your accident costs, the burden is on you to pursue those damages through a claim. It also means you’ll have to provide proof that the accident happened and that your damages are real.
Keep close track of all payments you face after your accident like medical bills and prescription medications. Also, you’ll need to keep track of how much work time you miss and any bonuses or other perks you lose because of your accident recovery. This can be a lot of information to juggle and compile, which is why most injury victims will benefit from having a personal injury lawyer to help them with the process.
Be Wary of the Insurance Company
Again, remember that the at-fault person’s insurance company may try to contact you or pressure you into taking money quickly. It’s best to treat any interaction with them as suspicious and talk to an attorney before you accept anything at all.
Call a Good Personal Injury Lawyer in Statesboro
When you call a personal injury attorney and tell them about what happened, most will give you a free consultation. (That’s what we do at John Foy & Associates!) During this consultation, you can go over the details of your accident and discuss your best options.
If you need help, good lawyers in Statesboro, GA can help you build a strong case and negotiate with the insurance company for the fairest settlement possible.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Statesboro, GA for Free
Don’t face the aftermath of an accident injury alone. John Foy & Associates can help. Our attorneys in Statesboro, GA helping accident victims get the money they need and deserve. To get your free consultation as soon as possible, call us today at 404-341-6447 or fill out the form on this page to get started.
