If you've ever been mugged you probably understand how lasting the traumatizing is. Your first thought shouldn’t be your purse, wallet or the gold watch you’d saved up to buy. Consider your safety first. During a mugging, your best chance of protecting your safety is stay calm and give the mugger what he wants. Fighting back in this situation is unwise—your well-being is worth more than a watch. If you have been mugged, here are the steps you should take following the incident to get your life back in order.
Alert the Police.
After speaking with the police you should also call your insurance company if any items of value have been stolen from you. Some home insurers will cover theft of items such as laptops and mobile phones, but not always. Check with your individual insurance company to find out.
Alert Your Insurance Company
The very first thing that you should do after a mugging is call the police. The police will file a report which could help you recover some of the stolen items, though that isn't likely. The purpose of filing the report is to apprehend the perpetrator. Try to remember all the details of the event: what the mugger looked like or was wearing, the time and exact location of the incident, and if there were any other witnesses.
Seek Medical Attention if Necessary
If you've been injured in any way, immediately seek medical attention. You may be able to claim compensation in a personal injury suit, but only if you have documented evidence. Be sure to get a full physician's report of your injuries and treatments, and keep it filed somewhere safe in case you want to seek compensation at a later date.
Cancel Stolen Cards
As soon as you're able, cancel all of the cards that were stolen from you. Your bank or credit card company will shut off access to the cards so the thief cannot use them. If your house keys have been stolen, it is in your best interest to change the locks to your home. The last thing you need is a burglar that has the address off your driver’s license with keys to your home. If your phone has been stolen, you may be able to either track it through the phone company, or in the worst case, have it locked so it cannot be used.
If the thief is found by the police, you may be able to file a personal injury suit to seek compensation for lost items and medical expenses. If you fought back during the mugging, don't worry! Crime victims have every right to fight back when defending themselves. This will not alter the outcome of your case in any way. As long as you have made sure to document everything correctly, you should be able to receive compensation from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund. This is a fund which is available in every state and helps victims of crimes recover money that was lost during and after a crime, whether it was stolen items, medical bills, or lost wages from work.
If you have been mugged and want to seek compensation, contact Ohio Injury Law today, and get the representation you need today.
If you have been mugged and want to seek compensation, contact Ohio Injury Law today, and get the representation you need today.