What Do You Say at the Hospital After a Car Accident in Boston?
After a car accident, it is a good idea to go to the hospital for treatment even if you do not believe your injuries are serious. Once there, you must be very careful about what you say as it might influence your legal options for compensation.
You should talk to your doctors about the accident and your injuries for the purposes of creating thorough medical records and getting treatment. You should mention any pain you are experiencing, that another driver hit you, and that you want to be thoroughly examined by a doctor. You should avoid saying anything that might be misconstrued as an admission of wrongdoing, especially if you speak to the police in the hospital. You should also avoid communicating with the other driver until you have a lawyer.
What you say and how you say it is very important after a car accident, and you need to be careful about what you say at the hospital. Our Boston car accident attorneys can help you protect your legal interests. Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan for a free case evaluation at (617) 925-6407.
What You Should Say at the Hospital in Boston After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you should get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Some accident victims are so badly hurt that they are whisked away in an ambulance for emergency medical care. Others might not be obviously injured and might wait until they speak to the police before going to the hospital. In either scenario, you should discuss certain points with your doctor and attorney.
You should talk about the details of your injuries at the hospital for two important reasons. First, doctors and nurses need this information to provide the proper treatments. Second, your injuries should be discussed in thorough detail so that your medical records are accurate.
Your medical records might be used as evidence in a lawsuit for the car accident. If your medical records are not thorough or accurate, or certain injuries are unaccounted for because you never mentioned them, your lawsuit and compensation might be jeopardized. Not only that, but you cannot sue if your medical treatment does not exceed $2,000 or you do not have serious enough injuries, according to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch 231, § 6D.
If you speak to the police at the hospital rather than at the accident scene, you should talk about the driver who hit you. If you know the driver’s identity, verify this information with the police. If you are not sure who hit you, explain what you do know. Descriptive details about the driver’s car, what they were wearing, and other details could be helpful.
Things You Should Not Say at the Hospital After a Boston Car Accident
It is important to be careful about what you say at the hospital after a car accident. Injured victims sometimes make accidental admissions of wrongdoing without even realizing it, even though they might have done nothing wrong. Contact our Cambridge car accident attorneys as quickly as possible for help protecting your legal interests.
You should be very careful when describing how the accident happened. Some people have a bad habit of blaming themselves when things go wrong, even though they did everything right. You might think you are being polite by apologizing for the accident, but your apology could be misconstrued as an admission of wrongdoing.
You should also refrain from talking about what you did when the accident occurred, as this might also be misconstrued. You might inadvertently talk about something you did that might constitute contributory negligence, and your insurance and legal options for compensation might be at risk.
Finally, avoid talking to the driver who hit you or anyone who claims to represent them. While in the hospital, the other driver or possibly their attorney could visit you. If they try to initiate any discussions about a settlement or compensation, tell them you can only talk once you have spoken with an attorney. Do not discuss the case or sign anything until you and our Boston car accident attorney review the situation together.
What to Say at the Hospital About Insurance After a Car Accident in Boston
Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, and drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance that covers medical expenses and other economic damages up to a certain extent. While the idea of no-fault insurance is that drivers are covered by their insurance providers regardless of fault, you should still be careful when discussing the case with your insurance.
Many drivers contact their insurance company from the hospital, as reporting the accident quickly can help them get the coverage they need faster. However, it is best to communicate with the insurance company with guidance from an attorney. How you discuss the accident and your injuries might influence how much coverage the insurance companies agree to provide. Our Wakefield car accident attorneys can help you explain the situation to the insurance company in a way that gets you the most coverage possible while you recover in the hospital.
When You Should Speak to an Attorney After a Boston Car Accident
Getting rest and recovering from your injuries should be your number one priority. Even so, you should reach out to an attorney sooner rather than later. Your attorney can handle communications with the other driver and insurance companies while you rest in the hospital or recover at home.
Although it may be uncomfortable and difficult, you should reach out to an attorney as soon as you are physically able to. For some, this might mean picking up the phone and calling a Waltham, MA car accident lawyer when you get home from the hospital. For those who must endure an extended stay in the hospital, you can contact an attorney while still in the hospital.
An attorney can help you communicate with the other driver and insurance companies. Having legal representation on your side so quickly is crucial since the legal system is often harsh and does not slow down for anyone. Call our Wilmington car accident attorneys for help as soon as you can.
Contact Our Boston Car Accident Lawyers About Your Case Today
If you are in the hospital after a car accident, our Woburn car accident lawyers can help you communicate and advocate for your best legal interests. For a free case evaluation, speak to our team at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan. Call our offices at (617) 925-6407