No one wants to imagine being mugged or robbed in the street, much less what they would do after the fact. However, unpleasant as it might be, the Tolbert Beadle law firm team believes it is important to know how to approach things after being the victim of mugging or robbery.
Physical and psychological trauma are both serious, and a personal injury law firm can help you not just with a claim, but with some advice on recovery and potential legal avenues. In this blog, the Tolbert Beadle, LLC team looks at how to deal with the fallout from a personal attack.
Call 911
As soon as you are able, the first thing you should do is call 911 and report the crime. Make sure you call 911 rather than a local police station, as being mugged or assaulted absolutely counts as an emergency, and should be treated as such.
A 911 call will also mean the operator will stay on the line with you until the emergency services arrive, which is important not just for your immediate safety, but can help you to stay calm. You should also report any injuries you have sustained so that they can send the appropriate services to you immediately.
Talk to Family or Friends
Once you have gotten help from emergency services, it is a good idea to contact close friends or family members and let them know what has happened. This is another way of helping you to stay calm, as well as to keep them informed of what has happened.
If you are calling someone with whom you share any credit or debit cards, or other linked accounts, let them know to cancel them if yours have been stolen.
Cancel Your Credit Cards and Report Other Stolen Information
Canceling credit or debit cards is a vital step after having a wallet or purse stolen, but one that is easy to forget during a stressful event. As soon as you are able to contact your bank, as well as any related or linked accounts, you should. Tell them what has happened and, if possible, give them the date and the time. This way they can more easily identify any charges not made by you.
Check Your Smartphone’s GPS
In most mugging or public robbery cases, calls to emergency services, friends, and family members will be made on someone else’s phone. Smartphones are a big target for petty thieves thanks to their high value, and left without yours you will need to find help from a nearby witness, business, or residence to make emergency calls. Fortunately, many phones also come equipped with ways to remotely wipe them to prevent data theft.
You can also use GPS services to find where your phone is from another linked device such as a laptop or tablet, potentially meaning you are able to trace the location if you can act fast. If you do not already have an anti-theft app on your smartphone, it would be a good idea to install one now just in case. You can also check your phone’s settings to see if it has built-in options.
Contact a Law Firm About Physical and Psychological Injuries
When it comes to a mugging or attack, physical and psychological injuries are extremely common. Even the most confident of us can be left severely shaken, if not traumatized by such an incident. Depending on where and how it happened, and how it is subsequently handled, you may be entitled to compensation.
While compensation obvious will not totally eliminate the trauma, it can go a long way to helping, and to covering any financial costs of the theft. A law firm that specializes in personal injuries will be able to assess your individual situation. You should also remember that, if you are suffering mental health-related after effects, it is important that you talk to a professional.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you are looking for a law firm that is understanding and compassionate, as well as ready to fight your corner, contact one of our personal injury lawyers today. The professionals at our law firm have the experience and understanding to help you, no matter what has led to you making a claim.
