Hire Linda H. Havel – A Trustworthy Lawyer Who Cares

Have you or someone you love been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence? If so, you or your loved one may be entitled to damages including payment of past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, vocational impairment, scarring and/or disfigurement, physical and/or cognitive impairment, and emotional distress.  Even before you hire an attorney, you can take the following steps to protect your potential personal injury claim:

Proactive Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Personal Injury Claim

Nursing Home Negligence

• Take photographs of any injuries and any conditions in the nursing home that you believe caused the injury
• Report the incident to the nursing home, request that management create an incident report, and ask for a copy
• Obtain a complete copy of your loved one’s medical records from the nursing home and from any prior facility he or she visited immediately prior to admission to the nursing home

Trucking/Auto/motorcycle accidents

• Photograph the scene of the collision at the time of the collision
• If possible, photograph all vehicles involved before they are moved
• Provide a statement to the investigating officer explaining what occurred from your point of view
• Ask for a copy of the other driver’s insurance card
• Obtain a copy of the police report from www.Buycrash.com
• If requested, do not provide a tape-recorded statement to any insurance company other than your own insurance company
• Seek immediate medical attention – do not wait and delay treatment
• Explain how you were injured to the attending physician at the emergency room
• Follow your doctor’s orders and keep a copy of all medical visits, prescriptions and records pertaining to your injury
• Know the coverage limits of your auto insurance policy including your UI/UIM coverage as well as any excess coverage you may have pursuant to an umbrella policy
• Notify your auto insurance carrier right away that you have been involved in an accident
• Don’t agree to allow your motor vehicle to be salvaged by your insurance carrier until you have had a chance to examine your vehicle and take photographs.  If liability is in question, you may need the property damage information to help your case.

Slip and Falls

• Photograph the area where you fell
• Photograph the rug, mat, spill, step, hole, obstacle or other item or circumstance that caused your fall
• Report the fall to a person with authority and provide your own written account – do not sign their written account
• Ask for a copy of the incident report before you leave the scene
• Ask for the name of their insurance carrier and request that a claim for your medical expenses be opened pursuant to their med-pay coverage
• If the fall occurs at someone else’s home and is caused by a negligent condition, ask for a copy of their homeowner’s insurance policy and/or the name of their insurance carrier
• Do not provide a tape-recorded statement to anyone until you have contacted an attorney
• Seek immediate medical attention – do not wait and delay treatment
• Explain how you were injured to the attending physician at the emergency room
• Follow your doctor’s orders and keep a copy of all medical visits, prescriptions and records pertaining to your fall

Let Me Evaluate Your Claim

If you have an injury and believe you may have a claim, I encourage you to contact me at 317-525-7754 for a free consultation.