What to Do Immediately After a Construction Site Accident

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a construction site accident, protecting your legal rights should be one of your top priorities. Not only can serious injuries quickly become very expensive, but they can also cause chronic pain and negatively impact your (or your loved one’s) life in other ways as well. 

7 Steps to Take Immediately After a Construction Site Accident in Arkansas

With this in mind, here are seven steps you should take immediately (if possible) after a construction site accident in Arkansas: 

1. Go to the Hospital 

First and foremost, you should go to the hospital if you have not done so already. With many types of serious injuries, prompt diagnosis and treatment can be critical for avoiding unnecessary long-term consequences. 

Seeking a diagnosis and beginning treatment promptly will also be important for protecting your family’s legal rights. Your (or your loved one’s) medical records will serve as documentation of the timing of the accident; and, when it comes to calculating the losses your family is entitled to recover, your (or your loved one’s) medical records and medical bills will be key evidence. 

2. Write Down as Many Details as Possible  

You should also write down as many details as possible. When did the accident happen? Where did it happen? Did any coworkers witness the accident? What do you believe was the cause? 

These details—and any other details you can record—will be critical for assessing your legal rights. You will want to bring your notes with you to your free initial consultation (more on this below); and, if you think of any questions you want to ask, you should write these down to discuss with your lawyer as well. 

3. Start an Accident File

To help you stay organized, you will want to start an accident file. This is a place where you will keep any and all records you receive that are related to your (or your loved one’s) construction site accident. Some examples of records you will want to place in your accident file include:

• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Employment records
• Insurance documents 
• Your notes about the accident 

These are all records that your lawyer will need to review in order to assess your legal rights. While your lawyer will be able to track down any records if necessary, collecting your records in one place will help to streamline the process of proving and pursuing your claim. 

4. Report the Accident 

You will want to report your (or your loved one’s) accident as well. Most companies have reporting procedures for construction site accidents; and, if you receive a form to fill out, you should fill it out as completely and accurately as possible. If you are not comfortable filling out an accident report or are not sure how to do so, our lawyers can help. 

5. Be Careful to Avoid Costly Mistakes 

When you have a construction site accident claim in Arkansas, one of the most important things you can do is be careful to avoid costly mistakes. For example, if you think you may have a claim, you should not:

• Ignore medical advice 
• Return to work too soon 
• Post about the accident on social media 
• Focus solely on filing for workers’ compensation 
• Try to handle your situation alone

Again, these are just examples. When you talk to a lawyer about your claim, your lawyer will be able to walk you through everything you need to know in order to protect yourself and your family. 

6. Get in the Habit of Keeping Documentation 

As you move forward, you may receive various additional forms of documentation that are relevant to your construction site accident claim. If you can get into the habit of placing all documentation into your accident file, this will help ensure that your lawyer has all of the information he or she needs. 

7. Schedule a Consultation with a Construction Site Accident Lawyer

To protect your legal rights after a construction site accident in Arkansas, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side. You can get started with a free, no-obligation consultation, and you will want to schedule an appointment to discuss your claim as soon as possible. 

Speak with an Arkansas Construction Site Accident Lawyer for Free

In the blink of an eye, a construction site accident can change your life forever. If you were hurt in a workplace accident on a construction site, it is in your best interest to speak with a lawyer at Oliver Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys have extensive experience in these matters and we can help ensure that your rights and best interests are protected at every step of your legal journey. 

Act quickly. Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at 479-202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients throughout Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.