Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”
If you have been involved in a North Carolina car crash or other injury-causing accident, there are some important rules you should follow to ensure you are best able to move forward with a future civil claim for damages. Read through the following list of do’s and don’ts to get a better idea of what you should and shouldn’t do after an accident.
First things first, you do need to call the police. It is critical to get a record of the accident that can be used in a future personal injury case. Getting documentation about what happened, who was at fault, who witnessed the crash and the names and contact information of the parties involved is critical. Additionally, you do need to be sure and make your own list of information that you think could be important down the road. Write down any details of the accident, contact information, witness names, etc.
If you are hurt, it is crucial that you do receive medical attention immediately. Seeking out medical care as soon as possible is good for several reasons. First, it gets the injuries recorded early and entered into a medical record, which can later be used at trial or during settlement talks. Second, going early means that the responsible party will have less of a basis for claiming that any injuries were caused elsewhere or were faked just to drive up the cost of your settlement.
Finally, if you have been involved in a serious accident, it is essential that you do reach out to an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney. Turning your case over to someone who knows what they’re doing and who has successfully handled other injury cases in the past is a great way to boost your chances of winning.
Just as important as what you should do, are rules for what you should not do. Don’t let anyone talk you out of reporting the accident to police. Drivers should also make sure to avoid discussing the case. That means don’t talk about the case with the other driver or witnesses, this can lead to confusion or possible trouble if you apologize for the accident and the statement is used against you later.
Additionally, don’t talk to the party’s insurer on record without first speaking to an attorney. Making these recorded statements can be trouble when you are not sure what you should say and could later be used against you during a trial or settlement negotiation.
If you, or someone you know, have any questions regarding personal injury claims, please feel free to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys and lawyers in Charlotte, North Carolina at Arnold & Smith, PLLC for a free consultation. Call at 704-370-2828 or click here for additional resources.
About the Author:
Matthew Arnold is a Managing Member of Arnold & Smith, PLLC, where he focuses on the areas of family law, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony and equitable distribution.
Mr. Arnold was raised in Charlotte, where he graduated from Providence Senior High School. He attended Belmont Abbey College, where he graduated cum laude, before attending law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full academic scholarship.
In his free time, Mr. Arnold enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and three children.
Source:
“Personal Injury Do’s and Don’ts,” published at KLFY.com.
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