Being in any kind of accident can be terrifying. Whether you or someone you loved was in a car accident, got hurt on the job, or were hurt on someone else’s property, there are a few things you can do that will help when it comes to your ability to make a quicker and smoother recovery. For three things to do if you’ve been hurt in an accident, read on.
1. Contact your health plan provider.
Like it or not, medical bills will be a big deal after you’ve suffered a serious injury. Regardless of whether the accident was due to someone else’s negligence or you are the at fault party, it’s a good idea to give your health insurer a heads-up after being hurt in any kind of accident. Not only will your health insurance be there to assist with medical expenses, but health plan representatives will be able to answer any questions you might have about what medical expenses will be covered and not. Knowing this will make a big difference in your stress levels as you begin working toward your recovery after a serious injury.
Maybe you were in a car accident and don’t remember the crash. What matters the most right now is that you get the medical treatment you’ll need as an accident victim. Once you’ve talked to your health insurer and know how your medical bills will be paid for and where there might be gaps, you can always move to the next step of filling a car accident claim against a responsible party.
2. Hire a personal injury attorney.
Some car accident victims make the mistake of holding off on calling a personal injury attorney with years of experience in motor vehicle accidents. Whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash or have suffered another personal injury like being the victim of medical malpractice, it’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
For example, if you live in Denver, Colorado, it’s a good idea to hire a Denver accident lawyer shortly after your accident. Whether you or another driver is at fault, you’ll want to consider medical care down the road. An experienced lawyer can advocate for your future bills due to medical expenses, help establish fault in your accident, and even work with your motor vehicle insurance or the other driver’s insurance to ensure you get fair compensation.
Even if you aren’t sure you want to file a personal injury case, it’s a good idea to talk to a personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options for the future. Most personal injury lawyers will offer you a free consultation to help you understand your legal rights and obligations after an accident. Waiting too long could risk not getting the full compensation your deserve due to things like the statute of limitations or assignment of blame to the wrong party.
3. Surround yourself with a good support system.
Recovering from a serious injury isn’t easy. For this reason, you’ll want to surround yourself with friends and family who will be there for you as you make steps toward recovery. This team should include doctors, caseworkers, and a clinical care team who will work to help you regain function after something like surgery or a traumatic brain injury.
When forming a team of people to help you in your recovery, consider people who will advocate for you should they need to make medical decisions for you or more. Recoveries can come with ups and downs, and you’ll want people around you whom you can trust.
While it can be intimidating to focus on anything but your recovery shortly after an accident, the sooner you contact your health plan, hire an experienced attorney, and build a support network, the better off you’ll be.
