Car Accident Claim Timeline

Houston Car Accident Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you likely have many concerns. Medical bills may be piling up and other bills may be accumulating simply because you cannot afford to pay them when you are not working. At the Houston office of Gary Lee, Attorney, PLLC, we can help you understand and anticipate what to expect after a car accident in Texas.

We can help you take immediate and meaningful action.
Call 281-336-0783 for your free initial consultation on contingency fee cases.

Put over thirty-five years of experience to work in your personal injury case. We offer clear advice, caring guidance and aggressive legal representation in personal injury lawsuits related to car accidents or other motor vehicle accidents.

Right Away After a Car Accident

Immediately after a car accident (within minutes, or sometimes, within hours), you should do your best to do the following:

• Contact the police. A police report is essential evidence in a car accident claim.
• Obtain contact information from witnesses
• Fully document everything you can remember about the accident
• Seek proper medical attention — even if you are unsure you were injured

Please click here for more on what to do after a car accident.

Within Days After a Car Accident

The days following a car accident can be very critical. It is important that you take the proper measures to ensure your right to compensation is fully protected. Right away (usually within a few days), you should do the following:

• Report the accident to your insurance company: While most insurance policies require prompt notification of auto accidents, it is not required that you make a recorded statement about the accident. If asked to make a recorded statement or any declarations of fault, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer before going any further. Many people have unintentionally hurt their chances for fair financial recovery by making improper statements to the insurance company before consulting with a lawyer.
• Contact a lawyer: While not every injury case demands legal representation, having an experienced attorney on your side from the very beginning can increase your chances for fair compensation. With an experienced lawyer protecting your rights, you can be sure that the insurance company will not take advantage of you.
• Be mindful of deadlines: Car accident injury claims have many time restrictions. It is important that your lawyer is careful in reviewing your situation and making certain that timelines are not missed. This could include filing your personal injury claim before the applicable statute of limitations runs out, or filing for lost wages within a reasonable time.

Weeks, Months and Years After the Accident

After the initial days following the accident, timelines become much grayer. Accident reconstruction, thorough accident investigation, review of medical records, and preparation of injury claims can all take months or even years to accurately complete. Moreover, in many cases, it is important to hold off on settling a personal injury claim until your doctors believe they understand the full extent of your injuries and your expected recovery. Early acceptance of a settlement offer could result in your accepting compensation that is far less than what you would otherwise need.

Throughout the investigation process, both sides of the personal injury lawsuit will collect information about the accident and your injuries. Negotiation talks may commence to discuss settlement of the injury claim or the claim may proceed to trial. The claim can be settled at any point up to the moment that the jury renders a verdict. After a settlement is accepted or verdict is rendered, it can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days for compensation to be received from the other party.

Contact Us

For more information on car accident injury claims or how we can help, please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation on contingency fee cases and case evaluation.

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