Hurt in an Accident? Here's What to Do Next

Getting injured because of someone else’s bad decision is upsetting and can turn your whole world upside down. You're in physical pain, the medical bills and repair bills are stacking up, you’re stuck paying for a wrecked car and the insurance adjuster is already calling. How the hell are you supposed to fix this mess?! First step, take a breath. Second step, read this:

What should you do right after an accident?

The first few minutes and hours post-accident matter more than most people realize. If you take away nothing from this blog but these five tips, you’ll be good to go. Here's what you should focus on:

• Get medical care immediately. Even if you feel "fine", some injuries don't show up for days and a medical record creates proof that you were, in fact, hurt.

• Document everything. Take photos of the crash site, take photos of your injuries, and take photos of any property damage. Get names and numbers from witnesses.

• Report it. File a police or incident report so there's an official record.

• Do not admit fault or speak to the other side's insurer until you've spoken with an accident lawyer. Stick to the facts and don’t fill or make up in details if you don’t remember what exactly happened.

• Keep your receipts! Medical bills, prescriptions, missed work, rental cars, tow truck fees, ambulance rides, and trips to appointments all add up. Those are all expenses you didn’t ask to take on and you should be compensated for them!

Do you really need a personal injury lawyer?

Short answer: if your injury is more than a simple scrape and someone else caused it, you should probably get a lawyer. Shockingly, insurance companies aren't on your side. Their job is to pay you as little as possible. A personal injury lawyer can level the playing field. They will handle all the annoying and confusing paperwork, negotiate with adjusters and the lawyers for the insurance companies, check on how you’re doing and update you with the status of your case, and work hard to secure the full value of your claim while you focus on recovery.

Injury and accident victims who hire a lawyer often recover significantly more than those who go it alone, even after fees.

What kinds of cases does Locke Henry Law handle?

We represent people injured in situations like:

• Car accidents

• Truck accidents

• Motorcycle accidents

• Delivery truck accidents

• Service vehicle accidents

• Work vehicle accidents

• Slip-and-fall injuries

• Uber and Lyft accidents

• Workplace injuries

• Wrongful deaths

How long do you have to file a claim?

Each state sets a deadline called the statute of limitations. If you miss it, you can lose your ability to recover anything at all from your accident. Depending on where you live and the specifics of your case, that window can be as short as one or two years. In Texas (where Locke Henry Law is located), you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you were injured as a minor (under 18 years old), you have until your 20th birthday to file an injury claim. But its important to remember that as soon as you get in a wreck, that clock is already ticking. The best, and safest, move is to talk to a trusted attorney sooner rather than later. A quick conversation can protect your future legal options.

What does it cost to hire Locke Henry Law?

Here's the part that surprises people: nothing up front. No money down. Like a lot of personal injury firms, we work on a contingency fee. This means you pay zero attorney fees unless we win your case. Your first call to us is always free, so there's no risk in simply asking a question. If you like us, hire us. If you don’t, thankfully, you have many options to choose from in South Texas. There’s no pressure to sign. You will never be charged for a simple inquiry.

Why choose Locke Henry Law?

When you're deciding who fights for you, here's what sets us apart:

1. We treat you like a person, not a case number. You'll always know exactly where your case stands. You will get calls and updates from our office frequently. You will have a talented, hard-working team working for you.

2. No fee unless we win. All of our fees will come out of the settlement or result we get for you. You win, we win.

3. We know how insurers operate. We give bad offers the boot! Locke Henry began his legal career a decade ago as an insurance defense attorney, so he knows how the other side operates. He uses this knowledge to his clients’ advantage, always working to get the best possible outcome for their unique case.

4. Always free, no-pressure consultation. Get real answers before you commit to anything. We’ll do our best to answer any and all questions you have.

5. Local, responsive, and ready to act. We're easy to reach and we keep our cases moving fast. We stay on top of things and stay aggressive with deadlines. We do what needs to be done, the right way, and we don’t waste time.

Need to talk?

We’re here to help. Locke Henry Law is all business, no bull. Feel free to stop by or call our Corpus Christi office, located at 2914 South Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, Texas. Look for the big LOCKE HENRY LAW sign. If calls or visits are stressful right now, you can also write us a message here.