Five Steps to Securing Just Compensation After an Accident

You’ve been injured in an accident. You believe someone else was at fault; or, maybe, you’re not quite sure. But in any event, you’ve been to the hospital, you’ve missed time from work, you’re in pain, and you want to find out if you are entitled to recover financial compensation for your losses.

So, what do you do?

1. Follow Up With Your Medical Care.

Hopefully, you saw a doctor right away and your doctor provided an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery. To protect your health and your claim for compensation, it is important to follow your doctor’s advice. If you go to work when your doctor says you need to be resting or blow off your physical therapy appointments, these are the types of mistakes that can have major consequences when it comes to securing money for your injuries.

If you are worried about how you are going to pay your medical bills, you should speak with an attorney (see Step 5). Your lawyer may be able to help you get the treatment you need without having to pay your medical bills while your compensation claim is pending.

2. Write Down Everything You Remember about the Accident.

Memories can fade over time, and when you start hearing the insurance companies’ and other involved parties’ versions of events, it can be difficult to recall exactly what you remember from the day of the accident. To make sure you remember things accurately from your perspective, it is a good idea to write down everything you remember about the accident.

3. Take Note of How Your Injuries Affect Your Life.

For purposes of your claim for compensation, it can also be helpful to record how your injuries impact your daily life. Be specific. When it comes to telling your story to a jury, things like, “On May 10, I woke up and my back hurt so bad that it took me an hour to get out of bed and I just couldn’t bring myself to go to work,” can have much more of an impact than, “I just remember being in a lot of pain.”

4. Don’t Let the Insurance Companies Take Advantage of You.

Let’s be clear: The insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. If they offer you a settlement (as is common in serious accidents), anything they offer is likely to be far less than you deserve. While the adjusters assigned to your claim may seem helpful, the reality is that they get paid to get rid of your claim for as little money as possible. You should never accept an insurance settlement unless you are sure that you don’t have any better options available.

5. Speak with an Attorney about Protecting Your Rights

The easiest way to avoid dealing with the insurance companies’ tactics and make sure you don’t make mistakes that could jeopardize your claim is to speak with an attorney right away. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to handle all aspects of your claim for you, negotiate effectively with the insurance companies, and, if necessary, take your case to trial. A serious accident can impact your life for years to come. You owe it to yourself and your family to hire an experienced advocate who can stand up for your legal rights.

Contact Morrow & Sheppard LLP | Experienced Houston Personal Injury Lawyers

At Morrow & Sheppard LLP, we provide experienced, aggressive legal representation for accident victims in the greater Houston area. If you have been injured in an accident, we can help. For a free consultation about your legal rights, call our offices at (800) 489-2216 or tell us what happened online today.