What Steps Should You Take if a Car Accident Causes Permanent Injuries?

Cars are such a central part of our lives that we can sometimes forget how dangerous they may be in the wrong hands. Car accidents can lead to life-altering consequences and result in long-term or even permanent injuries. Given the seriousness of such events, we at the Gamez Law Firm have put together the following guide so that you know what to do after injury in a car accident, according to a personal injury lawyer.

What Steps Should You Take if a Car Accident Causes Permanent Injuries?

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it is not always possible to know whether your injuries will cause permanent issues. This is why you should always be on the safe side and take all possible precautions when you have been involved in a car crash. If your recovery is quick and easy, then you will not be at a disadvantage, but if you find that your injuries are permanent, much of the following will be key evidence in getting the compensation that you need to rebuild your life.

Notify Emergency Services

After an accident, it is very important that you call 911 to obtain the help of any and all necessary emergency services. Depending on your situation, this may involve police, fire, ambulance, or all three. You are required by law to inform the police of any accident that involves an injury, or damage to property of more than $1,000 dollars. You should wait until the emergency services arrive at the location of your accident and not leave until you have given a report to the police and had your health assessed.

Police Report

When the police arrive at the scene of your accident, they will ask those present for their accounts of what happened. You should provide factual and accurate information to the responding officers and avoid giving your opinion or speculating about fault. The police officers will file a report that provides the official account of the incident. This report will be useful for any insurance claims or legal proceedings in the future, so you should request a copy for your records.

Medical Attention

After fulfilling your legal requirement to notify the police, assessing the state of your health should be the very next item on the agenda. Injuries are not always obvious after a car accident, so it is important to be evaluated by qualified medical personnel.

Be sure to turn your car’s hazard lights on so that any traffic on the road will be aware that there has been an accident. If you feel safe to move, you can leave your car and wait at the side of the road for police and paramedics to arrive. However, if you can feel that you have been injured, especially if your head, back, or neck is affected, you should remain where you are until professional help arrives.

Paramedics will make a preliminary assessment of your injuries and will take you to the hospital if necessary. If you have any relevant medical conditions or previous injuries, you should let them know so that they can treat you most effectively and note any aggravation caused by your most recent accident.

Document the Scene of the Accident

If you are able to move from your car after your accident, you should take as many photos of the scene as possible. You should include the position of the cars involved, along with any skid marks you can see on the road. The more information you can record at the time of the accident, the better. If you are stuck in your car, see if you can take any photos from your position, but do not endanger your health.

You should also make a note of your recollection of what happened immediately before and during the course of the accident. This will help you when you talk to the attending officer and afterward. When something stressful happens, and you are injured, your brain may attempt to make you forget parts of it as a way of protecting you. Making notes while the memory is still fresh in your mind means that no important information will be lost.

Comply With All Medical Advice

It is important that you get a full picture of any injuries you may have suffered during the accident and that you follow the instructions given to you by the doctors and other medical personnel who attend you. Not only does this give you the best possible chance of regaining your health, but it also protects you from any claims that your injuries were not caused by the accident or were worsened by your own actions.

Keep Records

To build a strong case, it is important to keep detailed records of evidence. This should include your medical records and any status reports that doctors have given you, along with your medical expenses for all treatments and medication, and your daily expenses relating to transportation, caregiving needs, and necessary home modifications. You should also make note of your daily lost earnings.

Take Timely Action

Personal injury claims are subject to strict deadlines known as statutes of limitations. If you do not file a lawsuit within the prescribed time frame, you will lose your right to compensation. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury suit.

This two-year limit may be suspended under certain circumstances. For example, if the person who injured you leaves the state or cannot be found, the statute of limitations may be tolled, that is, paused, until they return to Texas or can be located. Similarly, if you are mentally incapacitated temporarily by your injury, or if you were a minor at the time you were injured, the statute of limitations will begin from the point that you recover in the case of the former, or become an adult in the case of the latter.

In all cases, it is best to begin taking action as soon as possible. This will ensure that you do not miss important deadlines, that key witnesses are still present in the area, and that key pieces of information are fresh in your mind.

Consult with a San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer

Texas is an at-fault state, meaning that you will usually submit insurance claims to the other party’s insurance company rather than your own if they were responsible for the accident. Fault will be determined based on evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and accident details. It is wise to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney like those on our team, so that we can help you through the complexities of the legal process and maximize your compensation.

What Damages Can You Recover?

The damages you recover should not only cover your past medical expenses and lost wages, but also the costs of future treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. You should be compensated for the income you lost as an immediate consequence of the accident, and also for any future loss of earnings that your permanent injury may lead to. Additionally, you can be compensated for pain and suffering; the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life that you have undergone as a result of the accident and your injuries.

Suffering a permanent injury after a car accident is a life-altering event, but it is not the end of your life. To find out more and book a free consultation, contact the Gamez Law Firm in San Antonio, TX.