What to Do if You're in a Car Accident

Houston Car Accident Lawyer

So you have been in a car accident — now what? There are important steps that everyone should follow after being involved in a car accident — even if you do not believe that you were injured. At our Houston law firm, Gary Lee, Attorney, PLLC, we have more than thirty-five years of experience and can help you secure justice in the wake of a serious car accident.

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

If you have been injured or involved in a motor vehicle accident, the following steps are critical to ensure that your rights are fully protected:

• Contact the police: "Let's just handle this on our own." Do not be tempted to resolve car accident claims without getting the police involved. Too many times, when parties believe they are not really injured and that property damage is minimal, the police are not called and claims are not submitted to the insurance company. However, if symptoms later start to surface, it can be difficult to prove that the injuries are related to the accident because a police report was never filed.


• Obtain information: If you are involved in an accident, you should collect the contact information of the other driver and any witnesses. We will immediately go to work interviewing witnesses and obtaining statements before their memories fade. Because car accident lawsuits can last for several years, eliciting information from witnesses while it is still fresh in their minds is imperative.


• Make observations/documentations: No matter how serious the accident was and how significant an impact it had on your life, memories fade. Specific details about the car wreck, injuries, weather conditions, road conditions and other pertinent information can be beneficial in preparing a strong personal injury claim. However, days, weeks or even months after the accident, it can be difficult to recall these specific details. In addition, at that point your memory may have been influenced by what others have told you — particularly insurance companies or individuals attempting to deflect liability.

  Take pictures. Document injury symptoms, medical treatments and doctor visits in a journal. Retain receipts for medical bills paid - including expenses for mileage to and from treatment, prescription medication costs and any other out-of-pocket costs related to your accident and injuries.

• Seek medical attention: We believe the most important thing to do after an accident is to seek proper medical attention. Your recovery is our number one concern. Even if you are unsure if you are injured, seeking immediate medical attention is vital. You may have suffered serious injuries and not even realized it. In fact, in cases of closed head injuries, it may take days or even weeks for the symptoms to surface. However, a skilled medical professional can perform a simple evaluation and make recommendations regarding follow-up care or symptoms to watch out for. In addition, by seeking immediate medical attention you are again establishing critical evidence regarding the car accident.


• Contact an experienced lawyer: If you have suffered an injury in a car accident, you should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer right away. Insurance representatives may contact you to collect information about the crash or your injuries. Ultimately, they will use this information to deflect liability or support their reasons for providing minimal compensation. Please do not make any recorded statements or sign any papers until you have spoken with an experienced car accident attorney.

Obviously, if you are rushed off to the hospital with the first medical responders, it can be difficult to take many of the above mentioned steps. However, if a friend or family member is capable of gathering and documenting information promptly after your car crash, it will only increase your probability for a strong personal injury claim and recovery of fair compensation.

Contact Us

At the Houston law office of Gary Lee, Attorney, PLLC, you can expect that we will be honest, realistic and supportive after your car accident. We provide knowledgeable advice and steadfast advocacy to clients who have suffered serious injuries or families who have lost a loved one in a fatal accident. Contact us for a free initial consultation on contingency fee cases to discuss your case, your concerns and your options.

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