An injury can turn your life upside down. You may not be able to work for weeks or months while you recover, and you could face a pile of medical bills. You may feel lost in the wake of an accident, unsure what to do next.
Taking the right steps after an accident can help you get the best possible outcome. Read on to learn what you should do after you’re injured in an accident in Fort Worth, Texas.
Get Medical Attention
The first thing you need to do after you’re injured in an accident in Fort Worth, Texas, is to get medical attention. For one thing, the sooner you start getting treatment for your wounds, the better your prognosis will be. Delaying treatment can cause a variety of complications and other issues.
Getting medical attention early can also provide a strong record of your care, which may be important if you need to pursue a personal injury claim. You’ll need to show that you got treatment as early as you could, and you’ll need your doctor’s records showing the full extent of your injuries.
Report the Accident
Once you’ve gotten the medical attention you need, you need to report the accident to the appropriate people. If you were in a car accident, this may mean getting in touch with your insurance agent. You may also need to file a police report about the incident.
If you were hurt at work or at a business, you’ll need to report the accident to management. They may need to file their own internal or insurance reports. And all these reports can help to support your story if you have to file a personal injury claim.
Gather Evidence
The next step you need to take after an accident is to start gathering evidence. Even if you think you won’t need to file a personal injury claim, you want to be prepared for the possibility. The sooner you start gathering evidence, the stronger your case will be.
Make sure to get a copy of your medical records, as well as any police reports you file. If you file a report with a business, ask to get a copy of that report. And write your own account of what happened, including as many details as you can remember.
Follow Your Medical Orders
With the accident reported and your evidence gathered, the next thing you need to do is focus on healing. For the sake of your health, it’s critical that you follow all your doctor’s orders to the letter. This can also help if you have to fight for a fair settlement in your case.
Showing that you did everything your doctor recommended to get better can help to demonstrate that your condition really is serious. If you don’t follow your doctor’s orders, a defense lawyer may argue that you could have created a better outcome. By following your doctor’s orders to the letter, you help to ensure you get the maximum possible compensation in your case.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
As soon as you can after your accident, it’s a good idea to talk to a car accident lawyer. In spite of all the adorable geckos and reassuring deep voices, insurance companies are not your friend. They’ll do anything they can to cheat you out of a fair settlement, including making you a lowball offer in the hopes you’ll accept it without looking into how much you’re actually owed.
A car accident lawyer can review any offers you get and help you determine if you’re getting a fair settlement. They can also let you know what other steps you need to take to give yourself the best chance at a fair settlement. It’s important to talk to a lawyer before you talk to any insurance agent, including your own.
Get the Care You Need After an Accident
After an accident, it’s important to focus on getting the medical attention you need. Report the accident to the appropriate authority and start gathering any evidence you may need to support your side of the story. Once you’re on the road to recovery, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders to a tee, and talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
Bradley (Brad) Parker is the founding attorney at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, a personal injury law firm based in Fort Worth and Bedford, TX. He’s been helping injury victims to recover compensation since 2001.
Contact Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers if you got injured in Fort Worth / Bedford, Tx due to some one else’s negligence.
