Even Minor Auto Accident Injuries Can Lead to Big Problems
by PATRICIA WOLOCH
Auto accidents kill tens of thousands of people a year, and injure millions more. Because more people are on the roads, the chances of being involved in an accident are increasing. And while the chances you will be injured are small, it can happen. A minor fender-bender can leave you with whiplash that can take months, or even years, to completely heal. And being seriously injured in an accident can have life altering consequences. If you have ever been involved in an accident that wasn��t your fault, the injuries you suffer from are made worse knowing that there wasn��t much you could do to avoid them.
What to Do
While we all know exchanging insurance information is one of the basic steps to take in an auto accident, what do you do if you are injured? Hopefully your injury is minor enough that you can walk away. But what do you do if you aren��t sure how bad the injuries are?
?Always get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. They can help to provide details you might be unaware of.
?Wait for the police. The police may help to calm tempers, or provide you with further information on what you need to do.
?Because memories fade, write down as much detail as possible as soon as you can. Ask anyone who was in the car with you to do the same.
?Some injuries might take a few days to surface. However, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure you have not sustained any injuries that might cause you pain down the road. If you seek no medical care immediately, an opposing party in any lawsuit can say you were not injured.
?Contact your insurance company, but wait to give them a statement until you have contacted an injury lawyer.
Because your injuries can seem small, such as a bruised wrist, it��s best to see what a medical professional will find before believing you are all right. That bruised wrist could be a hairline fracture, which can keep you out of work for weeks. A bump on the head might be just that, but it could also be something more serious, and brain symptoms can often be delayed. For these reasons, you need to consider what you will do if you are unable to work or to get back to your daily schedule. For many people, missing even one day of work can be a problem.
By obtaining legal counsel as soon as you can, you are more likely to collect compensation from the offending party in the event you have to take time out to recover from your injuries. Your lawyer will also know what you should say to your insurance company in case they try to deny your claim.
If you live in Houston or the surrounding areas of Baytown, Galveston, or Sugar Land, Texas, and have been injured in an auto accident, please contact Marc Whitehead & Associates, Attorneys at Law for an evaluation.
