Pasadena, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/13/2015 -- Injuries can happen at anytime and in anyplace. But while many people will at some point encounter the circumstances that lead to a serious injury, far fewer are ready to make the difficult decisions required in the time following the accident.

Thankfully, the Pasadena personal injury lawyers at Binder & Associates, who have been helping California citizens for more than four decades, have come out with tips focused on assisting those persons who have recently been injured. Attorney Richard Carl Binder has seen the results of negligence firsthand during his work with clients in numerous practice areas, and he had this to say:

"One common denominator I've noticed with people who come to us for help is the perceived lack of resources for a person who has just been harmed in an accident," said Mr. Binder. "That's a shame, because for the person who's armed with the proper knowledge, there's a path that can allow that individual to acquire the appropriate compensation. We created our own website in the hope of providing such information to anyone in California who's been seriously injured, but there are a few key takeaways for those who just want a quick look at how to secure their future."

With that in mind, Binder & Associates provides the following tips to anyone who is involved in an accident.

-Start Gathering Evidence Yesterday- Far too often, by the time a person has come to the decision that they need to file a lawsuit, vital evidence has already gone missing. Even someone unsure about the advisability of a lawsuit should compile evidence as soon as possible. If injuries aren't serious, evidence collection can begin immediately, but if a person is unable to gather such details at once, he or she ought to have a trusted loved one do the same.

-Get Medical Help- Persons who are involved in an accident of any kind must visit a trusted doctor to learn more about their condition. This should take place even if an injury seems minor or isn't even noticeable upon initial inspection. If an individual waits days or weeks to get such medical help, the opposing party in the legal dispute may attempt to claim that the injuries were sustained in some other accident, potentially relieving the negligent party of their obligation to provide payment for injuries.

-Stick To A Rehab Schedule- When a doctor puts together a rehabilitation plan allowing a person to recover or get past the worst of the accident, the individual should adhere completely to that plan. Any potential adjustments must be discussed with a doctor. That way, the injured person won't exacerbate an injury, thus complicating negotiations with the opposing party.

-Sign Nothing- An offer from an insurance company or some other entity that sounds great at first glance (especially in the early days following an accident, when bills begin to pile up) may fail to take into account the complete financial burden that's been placed upon an injured party. The opposing side relies on that initial, albeit flawed, evaluation of a crash, so by signing a document waiving further legal action, an injured party does themselves a great disservice.

-Confide In Loved Ones, But Don't Necessarily Listen To Them- When dealing with an injury, nothing may feel better than blowing off some steam with a trusted confidante. That said, most such persons do not have years or decades of legal experience to draw from, and their "guidance" in response to statements made in confidence may make a situation worse. Take every piece of unwanted legal advice with a grain of salt.

-Speak With An Attorney- Even if a person is 99% confident that they're being treated fairly and that they'll wind up taking a settlement offer, they do themselves a disservice by not speaking with a lawyer just to get a handle on the situation. Otherwise, a full and honest assessment of the accident and its subsequent fallout become impossible.

About Binder & Associates
Discover why Binder & Associates has been a trusted name in Southern California for over 40 years. With experience in a variety of personal injury practice areas, including medical malpractice, automobile accidents, workers compensation claims, animal attacks, insurance bad faith, wrongful death, and more, Binder & Associates strives to provide trusted legal representation to all those who have been harmed by negligence. For more information about how the firm can help Arcadia citizens in their times of need, follow the preceding link.

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Binder & Associates
626-793-9124