Steps to Take After Suffering a Personal Injury Accident

If you’ve been involved in a personal injury accident, what you do next can impact your health, financial recovery, and legal rights. The aftermath is often disorienting, but acting quickly and strategically can make a world of difference. At Daly & Black, P.C., we help injured individuals take the right steps—right away—so they’re protected, prepared, and empowered from the start.

What to Do Immediately After a Personal Injury Accident

When you’re hurt in a personal injury accident, your first priority should always be your health and safety. But once you’ve gotten out of immediate danger, the actions you take in the hours and days that follow can shape your entire recovery, both physically and financially. Below, we outline the most critical steps to help you move forward.

Step 1 – Prioritize Your Safety and Seek Medical Care

No matter how minor your injuries may seem, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Internal injuries, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries can take hours or even days to show symptoms. Seeing a doctor right away ensures your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented.

Tell your provider about all symptoms, even mild ones, so your treatment plan addresses the full scope of your needs. Personal injury pain treatment should be proactive and tailored to your specific recovery path.

Medical records also serve as crucial evidence if you decide to pursue a legal claim.

Step 2 – Report the Incident and Preserve Evidence

Whether your accident involved a car crash, a fall on someone else’s property, or a workplace injury, make sure it’s reported to the appropriate authorities:

• Call the police for traffic collisions or suspected criminal activity.
• Notify your supervisor or employer in the case of on-the-job injuries.
• Document everything: take photos of the scene, your injuries, and anything that could be relevant (damaged property, road conditions, safety hazards, etc.).
• Collect witness contact information and get a copy of any formal reports filed.

The more evidence you preserve, the stronger your future case will be.

Step 3 – Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly

Even if you’re still gathering information, you should notify your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. Most policies require timely notice to preserve your claim.

You should notify your insurer within 24–72 hours of the incident. That doesn’t mean you need to give a full recorded statement or accept any settlement offer, just provide the basics and tell them you’re still reviewing the situation. Then, speak with an attorney before engaging further.

Step 4 – Be Cautious With the Other Party’s Insurance Adjuster

Insurance companies don’t make money by paying out generous settlements. If the other party’s insurer contacts you, be careful. They may:

• Ask for a recorded statement to use against you later.
• Pressure you into admitting partial fault.
• Offer a quick, lowball settlement that doesn’t account for your long-term needs.

You are not required to speak with them before speaking to a lawyer. Politely decline and direct them to your legal counsel.

Step 5 – Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer Right Away

Time matters. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move on. The sooner your lawyer can begin investigating your case, the better your chances of recovering maximum compensation. An attorney can also protect you from insurance company tactics, manage your medical bills, and ensure all filing deadlines are met.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim?

In Texas and many other states, strict statutes of limitations apply to personal injury claims, often just two years from the date of the accident. If you wait too long to file, you could lose your right to recover damages entirely. Consulting a lawyer early helps ensure critical deadlines aren’t missed and gives your case the strongest possible foundation.

At Daly & Black, P.C., we go ALL IN for our clients. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to investigate, build your case, and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After an Accident

Knowing what not to do can be just as important as knowing what to do. Common missteps include:

• Delaying or skipping medical care
• Posting about the accident on social media
• Giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters
• Failing to document the scene or injuries
• Missing legal deadlines or failing to consult a lawyer

Avoiding these mistakes can significantly increase your chances of a successful claim.

Top Personal Injury Tips for a Strong Claim

Building a strong personal injury case isn’t just about proving liability—it’s about maximizing the value of your claim by demonstrating the full extent of your losses. Each of the following tips plays a key role in helping you do just that.

Keep Thorough Medical and Financial Records

Document every medical appointment, diagnosis, treatment plan, prescription, and rehabilitation service. Save receipts and invoices for out-of-pocket costs, from transportation to over-the-counter pain medication. 

Track all time missed from work and how your injuries impact your earning capacity. These details are essential when calculating both economic and non-economic damages.

Follow All Medical Advice and Attend Follow-Ups

One of the fastest ways to weaken your claim is to ignore your doctor’s orders or miss follow-up care. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries aren’t serious—or that you’re failing to mitigate damages. 

Committing to your recovery shows you’re doing your part and helps justify future medical costs in your settlement.

Don’t Settle Without Legal Review

Quick insurance settlements often leave money on the table. What sounds like a fair offer may not cover future medical care, ongoing pain, emotional distress, or loss of earning potential. Always have a personal injury lawyer review any offer before you accept it.

Stay Off Social Media

Anything you post online can be used to downplay your injury. Even an innocent photo or comment can be twisted to suggest you’re not as hurt as you claim. Until your case is resolved, assume insurers are watching.

Keep All Communication and Case-Related Documents Organized

From emails with your employer to letters from your doctor or insurer, every piece of correspondence matters. Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) to store all documentation. This simple habit can help your attorney present a more compelling, well-documented case.

Account for Emotional and Psychological Damages

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, and anxiety are all valid components of a personal injury claim. For example, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, are often underestimated in their long-term impact. 

Many victims experience mood swings, memory problems, depression, and anxiety that don’t appear immediately but worsen over time. These mental afflictions are just as real, and just as compensable, as physical injuries.

Keep a daily journal documenting how your injuries impact your mood, relationships, sleep, and daily activities. Share these experiences with your medical provider and your attorney so they can be fully evaluated and included in your claim.

These personal injury tips aren’t just about checking boxes, they’re about laying the groundwork for a claim that truly reflects what you’ve lost and what you’re owed.

FAQ

What should I do immediately after a personal injury accident?

Seek medical care, report the incident, document the scene, and speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

When should I notify my insurance company about the accident?

Within 24–72 hours is best. Provide only the basics until you’ve consulted an attorney.

Why is it important to contact a personal injury lawyer right away?

The sooner you get legal representation, the better your chances of preserving evidence, protecting your rights, and recovering full compensation.

Personal Injury Help and Advice From Daly & Black, P.C.

Navigating a personal injury accident isn’t just about filing paperwork; it’s about protecting your future. You don’t have to face it alone. At Daly & Black, P.C., we offer personal injury help and advice tailored to your unique situation.

We’re trial lawyers. That means we don’t just negotiate, we fight. And we do it with the resources, experience, and relentlessness it takes to win. Our team handles every aspect of your case, so you can focus on healing.

Call Daly & Black, P.C. today to schedule your FREE consultation and take the first step toward recovery.