Getting injured in a public place can be overwhelming and scary. Whether you slip on a wet floor at the grocery store or trip over uneven sidewalk pavement, your immediate actions matter more than you might think.
Many people make crucial mistakes right after an accident that can seriously hurt their chances of getting fair compensation later. In 2023, falls resulted in over 8 million trips to the emergency room, making them the leading cause of ER visits, accounting for 21.3% of all visits.
These numbers show just how common these accidents are, and they highlight why knowing what NOT to do after getting hurt is so important for protecting your health and your rights.
Holding Property Owners Accountable for Unsafe Conditions
When public spaces aren’t properly maintained, everyday outings can quickly turn into serious injuries. Legal support ensures victims can pursue the compensation they deserve for unsafe premises.
Myrtle Beach attracts millions of visitors each year with its beautiful coastline and bustling boardwalks. The city’s popular attractions, busy restaurants, and crowded shopping areas create numerous opportunities for accidents to happen. From slippery hotel lobbies to uneven boardwalk planks, public spaces throughout the area can pose unexpected hazards.
When accidents occur in these settings, having the right legal guidance becomes essential. A myrtle beach personal injury lawyer understands the local laws and regulations that apply to premises liability cases. They know which property owners and businesses have responsibilities to maintain safe conditions for visitors and residents alike.
Don’t Ignore Your Injuries or Delay Medical Care
One of the biggest mistakes people make after getting hurt in public is brushing off their injuries or putting off medical treatment. This can have serious consequences for both your health and any potential legal claim.
Why Adrenaline Masks Real Injuries
Right after an accident, your body releases adrenaline that can mask pain and make injuries seem less severe than they actually are. You might feel fine initially, but this doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. Many serious injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, don’t show obvious symptoms right away.
The Importance of Creating a Medical Record
Getting medical attention immediately creates an official record that links your injuries directly to the accident. Without this documentation, insurance companies and defense attorneys will argue that your injuries came from somewhere else entirely. Even if you feel okay, it’s worth getting checked out by a healthcare professional.
How Delayed Treatment Affects Your Case
Waiting days or weeks to see a doctor gives the other side ammunition to claim your injuries aren’t that serious. They’ll argue that if you were really hurt, you would’ve sought treatment immediately. This delay can significantly reduce the value of your claim or even destroy it completely.
Don’t Admit Fault or Make Statements Without Thinking
What you say immediately after an accident can come back to haunt you later. Many people have a natural tendency to apologize or take blame, even when the accident wasn’t their fault.
Why Saying “I’m Sorry” Can Hurt Your Case
Apologizing might seem polite, but it can be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Insurance companies and lawyers will use these statements against you, claiming you accepted responsibility for the accident. Keep your comments brief and factual instead.
Avoid Detailed Statements to Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after an accident, hoping to get a recorded statement while you’re still shaken up. They’ll ask leading questions designed to get you to say something that damages your case. You have no legal obligation to give them a statement without a lawyer present.
Keep Social Media Posts Neutral
Don’t post about your accident on social media, even if you think your privacy settings will protect you. These posts can be discovered and used as evidence. A photo of you smiling at dinner could be used to argue that you’re not really injured, even if you’re putting on a brave face.
Don’t Handle Insurance Claims on Your Own
Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be tricky. They’re not on your side, despite what their friendly representatives might say. Their goal is to pay as little as possible or deny your claim entirely.
Understanding Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies have teams of experienced adjusters and lawyers whose job is to minimize payouts. They know all the tricks to get you to accept less than you deserve. They might rush you into a quick settlement before you fully understand your injuries or use your own words against you.
Why Quick Settlement Offers Are Usually Low
If an insurance company offers you money quickly, it’s usually because they know your case is worth much more. They’re hoping you’ll take the easy money and sign away your rights to pursue additional compensation later. Once you accept and sign a release, you typically can’t go back for more money.
The Value of Professional Legal Help
A personal injury lawyer in myrtle beach knows how to deal with insurance companies and can negotiate on your behalf. They understand the true value of your case and won’t let you settle for less than you deserve. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless you win.
Don’t Ignore the Accident Scene or Fail to Document Everything
The moments right after an accident are crucial for gathering evidence. Many people are too shaken up to think clearly, but documenting everything can make or break your case later.
Taking Photos and Videos
If you’re able to do so safely, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any hazards that caused your fall. Get pictures of wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, or whatever caused your accident. These conditions might be fixed quickly, so immediate documentation is vital.
Gathering Witness Information
Look for people who saw what happened and get their contact information. Witnesses can provide crucial testimony about the conditions that led to your accident. Don’t just ask what they saw – get their names, phone numbers, and addresses so your lawyer can contact them later.
Reporting the Incident Properly
Most businesses have specific procedures for reporting accidents. Make sure you report your accident to the property owner or manager and get a copy of the incident report. If they don’t have one, ask them to create a written record of what happened and when.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Take Legal Action
Time is not on your side after an accident. There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and waiting too long can cost you everything.
Understanding Statutes of Limitations
Every state has laws that limit how long you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. However, there are exceptions and special circumstances that can shorten this period.
Why Evidence Disappears Over Time
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove your case. Security camera footage gets deleted, witnesses forget details or move away, and physical evidence disappears. Myrtle beach personal injury lawyer professionals know how to preserve evidence before it’s lost forever.
How Delays Affect Your Memory and Credibility
Your memory of the accident will fade over time, and small details that seemed unimportant initially might become crucial later. Courts and juries tend to be more sympathetic to people who took prompt action after their accidents rather than those who waited months or years to seek help.
Working with an experienced myrtle beach injury lawyer ensures that all deadlines are met and your case is handled properly from the start. They can investigate your accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case while the trail is still fresh.
FAQs
What not to do after an injury?
Taking a hot shower, going into saunas/steam rooms, or applying a heat pack should be avoided in the early stages of injury. Heat can intensify the inflammatory response, and excessive inflammation can lead to more tissue damage.
What not to do when someone is injured?
Avoid movement or activity that causes the injured person any pain. If you must move the victim because the area is unsafe, try to keep the injured part still.
What important rules should be kept in mind when a person gets injured?
Keep your cool and stay calm. Be empathetic and assess the person’s state. Seek help immediately. Control bleeding, address shock, look for head or spinal injury, treat burns, and keep a first-aid kit handy.
Wrapping Up
Getting injured in a public place doesn’t have to ruin your life or leave you struggling with medical bills and lost wages. The key is knowing what not to do in those crucial first hours and days after an accident. Don’t let common mistakes cost you the compensation you deserve.
Remember that personal injury lawyer myrtle beach can understand the unique challenges that come with accidents in tourist areas and busy public spaces. They know how to navigate local laws and deal with the insurance companies that try to take advantage of injured people. An injury lawyer myrtle beach can be your advocate when you need it most.