How To Successfully Deal With An Injury, A Useful Guide

Uh oh, it has finally happened. You’ve gone and gotten yourself injured. Whether it was a car accident, an embarrassing fall while on a run at your local park, a slip at the local skatepark, or any other type of injury, now you have to take care of it.

So now what? What’s the next step? 

Well, it’s time to dust yourself off so you can move forward. We’re here to talk all about what to do legally and medically while you’re trying to heal from your injury. Read on for our quick and helpful guide.

Was It Someone Else’s Fault? 

First and foremost, let’s talk about what to do if your injury was someone else’s fault.

Most of the time, our injuries are self-imposed accidents. Perhaps you fall at home, you fall while roller skating, you hurt yourself during a workout or any number of other silly accidents. It happens! There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but you’re responsible for your own well-being at that point.

But what if it wasn’t you? What if someone else was at fault? Would it be fair for you to pay for your medical bills (if there are any) if someone else was to blame? We don’t think so.

We think you deserve to get compensation for your injury. If that’s the case, you need to find a good personal injury lawyer to help you. They’ll help you navigate the complicated (and often frustrating) world of personal injury law to get you the compensation you deserve.

But how do you go about doing that? It’s not always easy, but here are some tips. 

Tips for Finding a Good Lawyer

When you’re on the hunt for a good lawyer, you’ll notice that there are plenty of options, and they’re all competing for your attention. How do you know when a lawyer is a good one?

Make sure they have experience in cases like yours in your specific area. All states run things slightly differently. If you’re in Virginia Beach, you’d want to find Virginia Beach Personal Injury Attorneys because they understand the specific laws of the area. If you were in Miami, you’d want a personal injury attorney who has plenty of experience with Florida personal injury cases.

On that note, you also want an attorney with experience in the specific type of case. If you have a dog bite injury, a personal injury attorney who focuses on car accidents or medical malpractice may not be the best option. 

You also want to find an attorney that fits your budget. Many attorneys will work on contingency, meaning that they don’t get paid unless you win. Others want upfront payment. Make sure you pick what works for you. 

Make sure your personal injury attorney is willing to advocate for you in court. Not all attorneys are comfortable in the courtroom and many prefer to settle. Settling is sometimes the right choice, but it shouldn’t be the default.

Don’t be afraid to have consultations with multiple attorneys before making a decision. They expect that.

Assess the Damage

Once you get injured, try to determine the extent of the injury. Is it worth seeking out medical care, or can you “walk it off,” so to speak? It’s a good idea to sit down somewhere safe to rest for a few minutes while you decide. 

If the injury is minor and you know you can take care of it at home, do so. Often, rest is enough for a minor injury. We’ll discuss at-home care in more detail later on.

If it’s more serious, it may be time to visit a doctor.

Consider Seeking Out Medical Care

So let’s say your injury is more serious than you think you can handle at home. No problem! You can head to your local urgent care center if it’s an emergency (or emergency room if it’s a serious emergency) or make an appointment with your general doctor. 

Only go to the emergency room if you need emergent care. Remember that emergency rooms often have long waits, so if your injury is minor enough to wait for an appointment or visit an urgent care center instead, that’s the better option for you and the doctors. 

Care for Your Injury at Home

Whether you’ve already seen a doctor or you’re doing everything on your own, you’re still going to need to do some home care for your injury. Most home care is pretty simple. We have a few tips if your doctor didn’t give you extra instructions.

Your doctor’s guidance should always come first, however.

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Get Plenty of Rest

You need rest to effectively heal from an injury. If you overuse the affected area, you could injure it further. Make sure you’re icing or elevating the area if it makes sense to do so (typically this is the case for injuries on any of your extremities). 

You should also be getting plenty of sleep! When you sleep, your body has time to heal. 

Perform Gentle Exercises and Stretches

Just because you’re resting, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be moving at all. Gentle stretches will restore blood flow to the affected area and help with your mobility. Always check with your doctor beforehand, however, if it’s a serious injury.

What about working out? You should also keep up with light exercise if it’s possible to do so. It’s tempting to be completely sedentary when you’re healing, but it’s better for your body to move around. 

Use Over-the-Counter Remedies

There are plenty of over-the-counter products at your local pharmacy that you can use to help. Braces, anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, and heating pads are all great options. They don’t necessarily replace medical care, but they can supplement it. 

Be Careful While Dealing With Your Injury

Dealing with an injury is frustrating, but you can get through it! Whether you’re handling it on your own, you’re consulting help from a lawyer, or you’re getting medical care, you now know what to do when you get injured. 

Stay safe out there!