Board-Certified Personal Injury Attorney
A serious injury can happen in seconds but have lasting consequences. What you do immediately after an accident can significantly affect both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation later. Taking the right steps, like getting prompt medical care, documenting the scene, preserving evidence, reporting the incident, and consulting with an attorney, helps protect your health and your legal rights. This guide explains each of those steps and why timing and thoroughness matter when you’re trying to move forward after a serious injury.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health comes first. Even if you feel “okay,” some injuries, like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage, can take hours or days to appear.
- Call 911 if your injuries are severe.
- Go to the emergency room or an urgent care center for evaluation.
- Follow all medical recommendations and keep every record, test result, and prescription.
Prompt treatment creates a clear link between your injury and the accident, which can be important evidence in your claim.
2. Document the Scene and Your Injuries
If you’re able, collect as much information as possible before evidence disappears. Use your phone to:
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, property damage, and visible injuries.
- Capture weather conditions, signage, and any hazards that may have contributed to the incident.
- Get names and contact details of witnesses or anyone involved.
These details can support your version of events later when you’re dealing with insurance adjusters or attorneys.
3. Preserve Physical Evidence
Keep anything that could help demonstrate what happened. That might include:
- Damaged clothing or safety gear
- The vehicle involved, if applicable
- Personal items showing the force or direction of impact
Avoid repairing or throwing away items that might later help reconstruct the accident or prove liability.
4. Notify Relevant Parties
Depending on where and how the injury occurred, you may need to report it promptly:
- Car accident: Contact law enforcement and your insurance company.
- Workplace injury: Notify your employer right away.
- Slip or fall on private property: Inform the property owner or manager, but avoid signing any statements or releases.
Reporting early creates an official record of the event and prevents the other side from claiming it never happened.
5. Keep a Record of Everything
Start a dedicated folder or notebook for your case. Include:
- Medical bills and receipts
- Missed workdays or lost income documentation
- Insurance correspondence
- Notes on how your injury affects daily life
A consistent record makes it easier to calculate losses and prove your claim’s value later.
6. Contact an Experienced Injury Attorney
The sooner you involve a personal injury attorney, the better protected you’ll be. Insurance companies often move quickly to minimize payouts or obtain statements that can hurt your claim. An attorney can handle communications, gather evidence, and ensure deadlines, such as Texas’s statute of limitations, are met.
Attorney Bill T. Wells, a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, has decades of experience helping Texans recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. His firm provides the guidance and advocacy you need during a challenging time.
Timing Matters: Protect Your Rights Early
Every step after a serious injury has a time limit. Evidence fades, memories blur, and legal deadlines approach faster than most people expect. Acting quickly not only strengthens your case but also helps relieve the stress of handling everything alone.
Get Legal Help from Bill T. Wells Today
If you’ve suffered a serious injury in Texas, don’t wait to find out what your rights are. The team at Bill T. Wells, Of Counsel to The Payne Law Group, can review your situation, explain your options, and help you pursue fair compensation.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start moving forward with confidence.