Qualified medical treatment and preserving evidence at the outset are probably the two most important steps you should take after you are seriously injured in an accident.
You should always request quality medical care to address any injury. Seemingly minor injuries may be more serious than you first think. Also, a minor injury can become a major injury if left unattended. If you are unsure about your medical options after a serious injury, an experienced attorney may be able to provide guidance on how to properly obtain and evaluate your medical options.
Hiring an experienced attorney can minimize your chances of medical mismanagement and maximize your ability to preserve critical evidence. In Louisiana, you have the right to make a claim for your damages and if it is not resolved, you have the legal right to file a lawsuit against the person or entity that caused the accident. In most cases, you only have one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to preserve any rights you have against the at-fault party. You should consult an attorney long before the approach of this deadline. You can make a claim for past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, past and future pain and suffering, past and future mental anguish and distress, loss of enjoyment of life and possibly other specific damages caused by the accident. A claim is made by providing proof or evidence of your claim including the fault of the other party and proof of the damages you sustained as a result of that fault. If you are unable to resolve this matter through negotiation, a lawsuit must be filed in the proper court and pursued through settlement or judgment.
The key to pursuing a successful claim or lawsuit is to obtain and preserve as much evidence to support your claim as possible. If you can reasonably do so, you should consider preserving the evidence at the accident site. Use your cell phone to photograph and/or video the location of any physical items involved in the accident or have someone do it for you if possible (vehicles, construction equipment, hazardous conditions e.g. liquid or other material on a walking surface causing it to be slippery). As soon as you are reasonably able, contact an attorney experienced in handling your type of case. An experienced attorney can advise you on the best way to gather and preserve critical evidence. Contact the Lafayette, LA personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Matt & Allen for a free, no commitment consultation.
