Sustaining a personal injury in an accident caused by another person’s negligence can be distressing and leave you uncertain about what to do next. If you are in this situation, you must act promptly to protect your legal rights and secure fair compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered. A personal injury attorney at Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP can help you navigate the claims process and ensure you do not make mistakes at each stage.
Hildebrand & Wilson, LLC
7930 Broadway St., Ste 122
Pearland, TX 77581
After an accident that resulted in injuries, below are steps you must take:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After an accident, you must prioritize your health and safety. Thus, you should see a doctor as soon as possible following the accident. This is important for your physical recovery and documents the severity of your injuries. Whether you feel any symptoms or don’t, seek medical attention. Some injuries take hours or even days to become known and obvious. A doctor will properly assess and diagnose any problems you may have. Also, delaying treatment can be detrimental to your legal claim because insurers may use this to devalue or deny your claim.
Collect Evidence
To have a strong personal injury case against the party responsible for your accident, collect and preserve as much evidence as possible. This includes taking photographs and videos of the accident scene, getting the names and contact information of those who witnessed the accident, and keeping records of your treatments and the expenses you have incurred because of your injuries.
In addition, you should keep records of communications you made with other parties like an insurance company. Whether they come in the form of emails, letters, or text messages, you can use them as evidence in court. Also, collect related documents like police reports and medical records because they can support your claim.
Moreover, evidence of your injury’s financial effects helps determine the amount of compensation you deserve to get. Prescription receipts and bills related to your treatment should be kept. Collect estimates for property damage repairs and gather pay stubs that show the wages lost because of the injuries. 
Report the Accident
If you have been in a car accident, contact the police immediately. Houston police must fill out a crash report for accidents that involve over $1, 000 in property damage and injuries. If the accident took place at a public or business place, report it to the property owner or manager and get a copy of the official incident report. By reporting, you allow the property owner or manager to investigate the accident and take appropriate action to ensure this type of incident won’t happen again. Also, it gives you a record of the accident in writing, which can serve as evidence of the accident.
Hire an Attorney
Filing and winning an injury case is not a straightforward process. In fact, navigating the legal system on your own can be overwhelming. But the assistance of an attorney can ease the burden. A lawyer can handle the legal process for you, so you can focus on your recovery. They can complete and submit all the required paperwork for your claim, collect evidence, and handle communications with the other party and their insurance provider. Also, they can handle settlement negotiations with the insurer, making sure you receive a fair settlement that reflects the extent of your losses.
A personal injury can have emotional, financial, and physical impacts on your life as an accident victim. If you sustained this injury because of the action or inaction of another party, you act quickly by collecting evidence, working with an attorney, and filing a strong personal injury claim.
