The inevitable has happened: While leaving an amusement part in Farmington, Utah, a car in front of you slams on his brakes and you rear end him. Your family is traumatized; however, to make matters worse, you immediately realize that your shoulder is radiating intense pain throughout your neck and arm. What should you do?
Experiencing an auto accident is often a traumatic experience for everybody involved. In addition to the damage inflicted on your vehicle, there’s a chance that you might also experience physical injury — which only complicates the situation. You might pick up the phone a few times before making that initial call to your lawyer to discuss what your options are.
Don’t Minimize Your Injuries
Although you might be tempted to minimize the injuries you sustained while leaving Farmington, almost any auto accident lawyer will advise you against doing so. Although you might not initially show any symptoms of injury — perhaps just a sore shoulder or knee — it’s imperative that you call your lawyer to discuss your options. Injuries sustained from an auto accident can be latent for a few days before they fully manifest.
Have Injuries Assessed Immediately
Additionally, if you wait to have your injuries assessed, it could delay your proceedings in court; the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to prove that injury occurred at the time of the accident. If you experience pain, numbness or dizziness following an auto accident, call your lawyer immediately. It’s imperative that you resist the urge to self-diagnose; instead, see a doctor immediately and document any and all injuries sustained.
Document Your Injuries
Although both you and your family may be in shock following an auto accident, if you’ve sustained injuries, you absolutely must document the injuries via photos. It doesn’t matter if you’re standing on the side of a Farmington freeway or if you’re driving down the East Coast — the sooner you document the injury, the better. After you’ve documented any and all harm, call your lawyer to discuss the appropriate next step.