What to Do and Not Do After Being Injured in an Auto Accident

Auto accidents are the most frequent personal injury claims that are brought in and around Norman. If you were seriously injured in an auto accident that was caused by the carelessness and negligence of another person or entity, you probably have a viable claim for compensation for your damages.

What to Do
Call 911 right away, and ask that police and paramedics come to the scene. The investigating officer will document the crash and draft a written accident report. Paramedics will document your injuries and transport you to an emergency room. Follow up with the doctor you are referred to, and never miss any future appointments or therapy sessions. Those “no shows” will be used against you in the future. As soon as possible, contact a lawyer to arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation.

What Not to Do
You can expect to be contacted by an adjuster from the insurer of the person who caused your accident and injuries. He or she will ask for a recorded statement and medical authorization from you. Oklahoma law doesn’t require you to give those without an attorney being present on your behalf. Politely refuse to give one and call an auto accident attorney in Norman, OK. It’s the intention of the insurer to try and trap you into saying things that can be used against you in the future. Don’t sign a medical authorization either. The adjuster might try to blame your present injury on an old injury that you hadn’t been treated for in more than 10 years. Don’t talk about your injuries or accident on social media either. What you say online is admissible in court. It can be used against you.

Always remember that no matter how nice that the adjuster on the other end of the phone line sounds, he or she is working in the best interests of the opposing insurer. Don’t give them an opportunity to build a defense against you. Rather than doing that, let an auto accident attorney in Norman, OK, build a strong case for you. Call 911, get to an emergency room, attend your appointments, don’t give a statement or medical authorization and then, call for a consultation and case evaluation.