Personal Injury

If you have suffered an injury due to the carelessness or neglect of another person, you have experienced a personal injury. You might not have to accept responsibility for the costs associated with the injury―loss of work time, medical bills, repair or replacement of damaged property and more. Depending on the magnitude of the loss, you may wish the find a good personal injury attorney.

What to Do After an Automobile Accident

Most people are in mild shock after an accident, and there's too much going on to know the extent of your losses. It's important to follow a few rules:

1. Do not leave the scene of the accident
2. Move off the road or to the side if possible{/num}
3. Check to see if anyone is injured
4. Give immediate aid to anyone with injuries
5. Call the police

Regardless of who is at fault, it is imperative that you never, under any circumstances, leave the scene of an accident before the police or an ambulance arrives.

Once You're Back Home

Make notes of what everything that happened, including as much detail as you can recall. If you were carrying passengers, ask them to write down their recollections including everything leading up to the accident and comments made by onlookers, the other party, and police.

Be as specific as you can about the date, time, and location of the accident; traffic, weather and road conditions; lighting conditions; anything striking about the other party (smell of alcohol, appeared disoriented) and if the other party left the scene, as much as you can recall about the other vehicle.

Your attorney may also want to know:

• Who was involved/present

• Time you lost from work for injuries and other accident-related matters

• Expenses incurred due to the accident, such as for transportation, towing, car repairs, medical bills and other expenses

• How the injuries will affect your personal life

• Dates of doctor/therapist visits

Hiring an Attorney

It is important to seek experienced representation in personal injury cases.

During your first meeting, your attorney will likely request a signature on a medical release so that he or she may collect your medical records. Bring your insurance information, photographs, statements, and notes regarding the accident. If you choose to work with the attorney, show them to him or her at your appointment.

Preserving Evidence

Be careful to preserve any evidence. If your vehicle was damaged, make sure that your attorney agrees that you have enough photographs of the damage before repairs are attempted. If the vehicle is declared a total loss, also ask your attorney before signing away salvage rights or before agreeing to disposal of the vehicle remains.

Get copies of all police reports, witness statements, and hospital and doctor visits. Keep your repair bills and receipts for money you spend due to the accident.

A Word on Photographs

Evidence is in the details. If you are asked to photograph your vehicle for your attorney, use a 35 mm camera with regular color photographic film. (Digital images can be challenged in court.)

Take at least two rolls of pictures of the vehicle. Shoot the damage from as many angles as you can. You are looking less for the whole picture of the damaged vehicle than you are of the details of the damage. Shoot close up and from a distance. Then, make notes on the back of each picture.

Also take photographs of the accident scene and note anything unusual or different about the area on the day of the accident. Take those pictures as close to the same time of day as possible, noting any differences in the light.

Photograph your injuries and your passengers'; and if you are photographing up close on a large area, hold up a ruler for gauge, so viewers can determine the actual size of the injured area.

Filing a Claim

Kansas has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases. If, after a reasonable length of time your attorney has not been able to settle the matter with the insurance company, your next step will be to file a personal injury lawsuit with the court.