Do I Have an Injury Case?
A personal injury case typically results from an incident in which a person is hurt due to the negligence of another person or a company. The negligence involved, and the type of injury, can take many forms. For instance, a person may be injured by a distracted driver, a drunk driver, or even a hit and run car crash. They may be harmed in a slip and fall accident on a slick floor or broken staircase in a store, or they may suffer injuries due to dog bites, or hidden defects in a household product for example.
The one thing all personal injury cases have in common is that someone suffers severe injuries, resulting in losses that may be compensated through money damages from the responsible party. Medical bills, lost wages, repair or replacement costs for damaged property, and pain and suffering are all common types of losses suffered in personal injury cases.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Just a few of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle include:
- Vehicle Accidents. Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes can all cause serious injuries.
- Pedestrian Injuries and Bicycle Accidents. If you were injured in a crash, we can help.
- Boating Accidents. Injured while on the water? You may be entitled to compensation.
- Premises Liability. Property owners have certain responsibilities when it comes to dangerous conditions on their property. If the property owner neglected these responsibilities, you may be able to seek compensation.
- Dog Bites. Dog bite injuries can cause severe pain, suffering, and disfigurement. We can help you recover compensation from the dog owner’s homeowners insurance in many cases.
- Catastrophic Injury Claims. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, shattered bones, burn injuries – we’ve helped clients win compensation for all these and more.
- Oil Field Accidents. Oil fields can be dangerous if safety regulations are ignored. We help injured clients seek the compensation they deserve.
If you were injured in a situation that is not listed here, don’t hesitate to call our office. We’re happy to consult with you about the details of your case and let you know how we can help.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured in an Accident
If you have been hurt in any type of personal injury accident, you’re probably busier than you ever expected to be – especially while you are also struggling to heal. If you’ve been injured, follow these steps to help protect your health, maximize your healing, and protect your legal rights:
1. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
See a doctor as soon as you can after you are injured. Even if you don’t feel immediate pain, you may experience delayed symptoms like those during a whiplash injury. If your doctor prescribes certain medications, medical devices, or therapies, follow your doctor’s instructions for using these.
Make sure you keep all follow-up appointments, appointments with specialist doctors, or appointments with professionals like physical therapists or occupational therapists. If you can’t make an appointment because you’re in too much pain, tell the office that when you cancel. Following these instructions helps you establish the extent of your injuries and increase your chances of regaining the fullest possible health.
2. Tell your doctor if your symptoms change.
If your symptoms change, if you experience strange side effects, or if something about your injury or healing process doesn’t seem right, tell your doctor as soon as you can. Your body may be telling you that you are more injured than you realized or that you are having an allergic reaction to a medication or the materials in a medical device – both of which can complicate your recovery.
3. Collect any information that relates to your accident or injury.
If a police report or accident report was made at the scene of your injury, try to get a copy or find out who has copies. If there were witnesses, see if you can find their contact information. Any pictures, diagrams, or descriptions of what happened to you can also help build your case.
If you can’t get a copy of a particular document or item, do try to write down the name and address of the person or office that might have a copy (such as the name of the police department that completed a police report on a car crash). Your lawyer can help you obtain copies of the information. Whether you’ve had minor or catastrophic injuries, notes are important.
4. Don’t sign anything from the insurance company before talking to your lawyer.
Many insurance adjusters are friendly, caring people who genuinely hope that you get well soon. However, it is their job to protect the insurance company’s bottom line – not yours. Do not agree to or sign any settlement paperwork until your lawyer has looked at it first.
Remember that you get only one chance to get a settlement from an insurance company for your injury. You want to be certain that it reflects the full costs of both your current and your future needs resulting from the accident.
At Burch Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys have deep ties to the New Braunfels area and over 23 years of experience representing those who have suffered serious injuries. We’re committed to helping each of our clients secure the compensation they deserve, so that they can move forward with their lives.
