The Dos and Don'ts After an Injury
Getting injured in an accident can be an emotional and unsettling experience. Fortunately, Texas personal injury laws allow the injured party to seek financial compensation through an injury claim or lawsuit. However, many accident victims are often uninformed about the steps to take after the accident or how to proceed with their injury claims. A skilled Texas personal injury attorney can help you understand the dos and don'ts after an injury when seeking damages.
At Tormey & McConnell, we are committed to offering compassionate representation and support to clients in their personal injury cases. Our experienced attorneys can evaluate every aspect of your personal situation and explore your options to seek damages. Also, we will walk you through the Texas injury claims process and continue fighting for your legal rights. We proudly represent clients across Amarillo, Borger, Canyon, Childress, Dumas, Hereford, and Pampa, Texas.
Personal Injury Claims in Texas
Texas is an at-fault auto insurance state. According to the state's fault laws, the person who caused the accident or injury (the at-fault party) will be held financially and civilly liable for medical expenses, property damages, and other accident-related losses suffered by the injured person.
Furthermore, in order to recover damages, the injured party or claimant can proceed by:
Filing a first-party injury claim with their own insurer
Filing a third-party injury claim directly with the insurance company of the at-fault party
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in civil court
However, it is crucial that you follow the right procedures and take the required steps to ensure a successful claim. An experienced Texas car accident attorney can enlighten you about the dos and don'ts after an injury or when filing an insurance claim.
What to Do and NOT Do After an Injury
The moments following an injury or accident can be confusing to navigate through. Nevertheless, knowing what to do – or not do – after the injury or crash is vital when pursuing damages. Here are some of the dos and don'ts after an injury to avoid hurting your claims inadvertently:
DON'TS
DON'T leave the accident scene until you've exchanged information.
Before leaving the scene of the accident, make sure you have exchanged contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved. This is vital to avoid a hit-and-run situation.
DON'T talk to the claims adjuster first.
Also, do not talk with the insurance adjuster without initially consulting with your legal counsel. The claims adjuster may take your words out of context, interpret your statement differently, or use your statement against you while negotiating or in court.
DON'T talk about the case with anyone.
However, upon filing your claims, do not discuss the case details with anyone. Ensure that you keep all important case details, strategies, and information confidential. You should only discuss it with your lawyer.
DON'T neglect your injuries, even if you're underinsured or uninsured.
After an accident, your health, safety, and general well-being should be a priority. Hence, ensure that you seek immediate medical help for both personal and legal reasons.
DON'T accept the insurer's first offer.
Also, do not accept the insurance provider's first deal. The first offer is usually low and may not account for all your medical expenses, future medical treatments, and lost wages. Hence, only accept the insurer's settlement offer after you have reached the maximum medical improvement (MMI).
DOS
DO contact a personal injury attorney.
Reach out to a trusted attorney to handle your case and help file your injury claims. Your legal counsel can review and investigate all of the details of your case and enlighten you about your available legal options to pursue damages.
DO keep records of everything.
Make sure you keep accurate and well-detailed records of every document, report, and evidence of the injury or accident. These include the other driver’s contact and insurance information, accident scene pictures, witness statements and testimonies, and police reports.
DO document your personal account of the incident.
Document every detail you can remember leading up to the accident, how it happened, and what happened after. Do this as soon as you can – while the details remain fresh in your memory.
DO keep every medical record.
Also, keep detailed medical records, including your medical expenses, hospital visits, therapy sessions, medical reports, and doctor's appointments. You will need these medical records to ascertain the magnitude of your injuries and losses and to determine your case value.
DO record the effect of the accident on your life.
Record how the accident or injury is affecting – or has affected – your daily life and ability to draw a paycheck.
A trusted personal injury attorney can evaluate all of the facts of your case and determine the best way to proceed with your claims.
Experienced Guidance and Support You Need
When filing a personal injury claim in Texas, retaining a knowledgeable personal injury attorney is imperative for detailed guidance. At Tormey & McConnell, our attorneys possess the diligence and skill to guide, assist, and represent clients in their injury claims.
As your legal counsel, we can assess the facets of your personal situation, enlighten you about your possible legal options to seek damages, and educate you about the next steps to take after an injury or accident. Above all, we will fight intelligently to protect your legal rights and help you pursue the fair financial compensation you deserve.
Contact Tormey & McConnell today to schedule a simple case assessment with an experienced auto accident lawyer. Our dedicated legal team can walk you through the Texas personal injury claims process and help you navigate key decisions. We're proud to represent clients in Amarillo, Texas, and the surrounding areas of Borger, Canyon, Childress, Dumas, Hereford, and Pampa.