What To Do If You Are Involved In An Automobile Accident
Call the police immediately whether someone was injured or not. Ask that an accident report be made by the police officer. This report will help the insurance agency determine who is at fault; therefore, read the report and make sure it is thorough. Also, immediately following an accident, it is important to gather as much information as possible, such as names, addresses, drivers license numbers, and insurance companies, from others involved in the accident as well as witnesses. Your own personal investigation at the scene will assist your case and the responding police officer. If possible, take photographs of the vehicles and accident scene before anyone has moved the vehicles. This may be done with a small disposable camera or even a cell phone camera.
Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem at the time of the accident. This may require a visit to a local emergency room, or a visit to your family doctor the day of, or the day after, the accident.
Do not provide any statements to any insurance companies before you meet with an attorney. You should know your basic rights before you begin to talk to the insurance company, even if it is your own insurance company. Any statement that you give to an insurance company, even your own, may be used against you later in court. What may not seem important to you at the time of the statement, may prove critical later on in your case.
Thomas D. Davenport, Jr., can help you determine your rights if you have been involved in an automobile accident. Many times your accident may involve technical issues such as traffic violations, safety requirements for commercial vehicles (especially 18 wheelers) and insurance coverage. I am familiar with these issues and can discuss them with you.
It is important that you remember the adjusters work for the insurance company-not for you. Much like the insurance companies have these adjusters to protect its interest, you should have an experienced attorney to protect your interest.
What To Do If You Are a Suspect in a Criminal Investigation
You have the right not to speak to the police. You also have the right to demand that an attorney be present with you during any questioning by the police. Furthermore, a police officer must have a warrant to search your home or probable cause to search your car. Generally, if a cop seeks “consent to the search” your property, it is because the cop does not have a search warrant or probable cause to search. Exercise your rights, do not speak to the police, do not allow the police to search through your property and demand to speak to an attorney immediately.
Police officers often attempt to intimidate or “bully” suspects. This is generally the only means that police can use to scare you into a confession. Do not allow yourself to be victimized or tricked by police bully tactics.
What To Do if You Are Hurt On The Job
Call your supervisor and file an accident report. Most times, you will need to give statement. This statement should be to the point and very clear. Examples would be “an item fell on me” or “I slipped on the floor.” A sentence is all that is needed.
Next, you should seek medical treatment by the doctor of your choice-not a friend or employee of the company. Yes, a doctor can be on the “payroll” of your employer. Often times the employer will direct you to its “doctor.” Of course, if your injury requires emergency treatment, do not wait it out or “walk it off” at the request of the employer-seek emergency treatment.
You should collect as much information as possible, such as names and addresses of co-workers or witnesses, who may have seen the accident. Write down dates, times and a narrative of what happened.
Inform your doctor that this is a work related injury and that the bill needs to go to your employer; otherwise you may get the bill. Also, make sure to ask when you are to return to work and get a written doctor’s excuse. Make plenty of copies of this excuse and give it to your supervisor.
If your doctor says that you can return to work, ask him/her what “restrictions” you have attached to your physical abilities. These restrictions generally include how much weight you should pick up, how long you should stand, whether you can bend or stand for expended periods. Make sure that these restrictions are written down and give a copy of them to your supervisor. If you return to work and have restrictions, make sure you abide by the restrictions and do not disregard your doctor’s advice.
Any injured worker is entitled to compensation during the time that he is hurt. Louisiana’s workers’ compensation laws require an employer to pay 66/6% of the injured worker’s average weekly wage.