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After my accident and initial medical treatment, what’s next?

What does this cost?

What is involved in preserving evidence and keeping a record?

If the police have taken photos, do I need to take more?

What if I find debris at the crash site?

How should I photograph my injuries?

Who pays for my medical expenses?

Who pays for damage to my vehicle?

Q. After my accident and initial medical treatment, what’s next?

A. Immediately contact an experienced personal injury trial attorney for specific guidance and advice.

Q. What does this cost?

A. Nothing. Most attorneys do not charge for an initial consultation. They will advise you to preserve evidence and keep a record. Kolodinsky, Seitz, Tresher and Brown works on a “no fee or costs if no recovery basis”. If you need immediate legal help, please call us at (904)427-9811 or (904)253-9790.

Q. What is involved in preserving evidence and keeping a record?

A. If you’ve been in an accident, someone has already started a record of the events. There was a police report, hospital records and Physician notes. Being evaluated by a Physician following an accident will insure a preliminary diagnosis and perhaps minimize the discomfort that may follow 24 to 48 hours later. Be very aware of every ache and pain - from tingling fingers, dizziness, headaches, etc. all of which may be symptoms of a serious injury. Communicating these concerns, no matter how small you feel they may be, helps maintain a record of events. Keep receipts of everything. Keep a diary that outlines what days you missed work or time spent on medical treatments. Keeping a record of the harm you suffered will be of great assistance in recovering damages in your case.

Preserving evidence is critical to your case. Immediately photograph and have someone take physical custody of whatever was involved in causing your injury. It should be locked up in a storage area you control.

Q. If the police have taken photos, do I need to take more?

A. Yes. However, always have someone with you to watch for traffic! Always take multiple rolls of film of the accident location, crashed vehicles, angles of the scene and of the injuries. Also, do not wait to take these pictures. If you are trying to capture skid marks, lay a yard stick down so that a reconstruction of the accident can be easily formed. Try and shoot photos illustrating what each driver saw as they approached the point of impact. Plan on shooting the photos at the same general time of day as the accident. You can never take too many photos. If the car has been towed, go to the lot and photograph it from afar and up close. Take pictures of the interior - if the drivers head struck the windshield, be sure to photograph the cracked glass.

Q. What if I find debris at the crash site?

A. Take photos of it from all angles and then collect it and put it in safe storage with a note on the time and place you found it.

Q. How should I photograph my injuries?

A. Victim’s injuries should be documented from day one by photographs. Taking photos over time shows the progression of treatment, medical equipment necessary, the healing of scars and bruises. In the case of severe injuries (burns, etc.) a videotape can capture the pain and discomfort associated with the injuries.

Q. Who pays for my medical expenses?

Q. Who pays for damage to my vehicle?