Beaumont Injury Attorneys Advise on What to Do After an Accident 

Experienced Texas law firm will be at your side every step of the way

Accidents happen quickly and without warning. Whether you were hurt in a car crash or another type of incident caused by someone else’s negligence, knowing the proper steps to take immediately following your injury will help you better protect your health and legal rights. At the Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont, our diligent Texas attorneys help victims pursue compensation by delivering effective guidance throughout every phase of the legal process, beginning with the moment we’re contacted after an injury-causing accident.    

Seek immediate medical attention

The first thing to do after an accident is to seek medical attention. Call 911 for an ambulance if there are serious injuries to you or others. Even if you do not require urgent hospital care, see a doctor as quickly as possible. Internal organ damage, head and neck trauma and other serious injuries do not always show up right away. For your own well-being, get checked out by a healthcare professional even if you do not feel like you were injured. Your medical records describing your injuries and necessary treatments will also be important evidence in your legal case.   

Document the accident scene

If you are physically able, collect as much relevant information about the scene where your injury occurred. If it was a car accident, take photographs and video showing damage to the vehicles from multiple angles, positions of the vehicles if they haven’t been moved and road conditions. If weather was a factor, note that as well. While the accident is fresh in your mind, make written or recorded notes about how you believe it happened. And be sure to get contact information for any eyewitnesses to the incident. We will use this evidence to support your claim for compensation.   

Report the accident to appropriate authorities

When reporting a vehicle accident to the police, include your impressions regarding what triggered the collision. If you were injured at work, report the accident to your employer. If you slipped and fell at a store or other type of business, a public area or at someone else’s private property, report the incident to the property owner or manager. For injuries caused by consumer products, you can contact the manufacturer and/or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Our personal injury attorneys will help you determine whom to notify based on the circumstances of the accident.   

Avoid discussing fault or making statements

Following an accident, avoid discussing blame. Anything you say may be twisted and used against you later. Do not apologize to anyone as it could be construed that you believe you caused the accident. The attorney for the other party may try to prove you were partially to blame for your own injuries, which will reduce any monetary award you receive. In the case of a car accident, exchange driver’s license, registration and contact information with the other driver, but limit communication and do not speculate about the crash with anyone. Speak to our lawyers before making statements to insurance companies or signing anything they send to you.    

Contact an experienced Texas injury attorney for a free consultation

The personal injury attorneys at Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont help Texans who have been injured in accidents caused by the negligence of other parties get fair compensation for their damages. Call 409-212-9994 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.