Tips for Accident Victims

     WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

By their very nature, injury-causing accidents afford little opportunity for the victims to do anything immediately for their own future protection.  But there is much you and your family and/or travel companions can start doing within days of an accident to protect yourselves.  Here are the three best steps you can take.

1. PRESERVE DOCUMENTATION

Jot down notes as soon as possible after the event to record your observations.  Witnesses often want to help: take down their names and contact information.  Safeguard travel documents, take pictures with your camera or cell phone, keep receipts, and don’t delete or throw anything away.

2. KEEP A JOURNAL

In the days and weeks following, keep track of all events related to the accident and its aftermath by writing them in letter-form to your lawyer.  Even if you have not yet obtained representation, this exercise will remind you to pay attention to the detail you will need to recall and explain later in a deposition.  Plus, by addressing your notes to your future lawyer, you will be recording much useful information in a confidential format.

3. DO NOT TRY TO REPRESENT YOURSELF

Even lawyers should heed this advice!  Accident victims and their families are often approached by employee representatives of a responsible party (e.g., airline or cruise line) in the wake of an accident.  Take their names and contact information, but do not engage in conversations or negotiations with them, and do not sign anything.  Under no circumstances should they be permitted to interview you.  You can and should, however, cooperate with law enforcement.  If you are not sure of the affiliation of the person who wants to question you, ask for clarification and to see identification.