Car accidents often cause severe injuries to all those involved. Following a serious car accident, the injured parties rarely question whether they should obtain legal counsel to seek compensation for their injuries. 

However, following a minor car accident, determining whether to hire a lawyer can be a bit more difficult. After all, some minor accidents involve no injuries at all, and others only cause minimal property damage. In this article, we discuss whether hiring a lawyer is necessary after a minor car accident in Fort Worth, Texas. 

One danger associated with minor car accidents is legal action initiated by the other party. Even if you believe that no personal or property damage occurred in your accident, you may be contacted down the line by the other party’s attorney. 

In such an event, you’ll have to scramble to obtain your own legal representation. However, by consulting with an experienced Fort Worth car accident attorney immediately after an accident—no matter how minor—you stand prepared to face all legal challenges. 

Minor Car Accidents and Delayed Injury Symptoms

Another danger of minor car accidents is delayed injury symptoms. Certain types of injuries, such as some neck, head, and internal injuries, don’t exhibit symptoms immediately. Rather, symptoms associated with such injuries can take days—or even weeks—to emerge. 

In addition, the pain associated with other types of injuries may temporarily be masked due to the release of hormones, such as adrenaline, in the immediate aftermath of a crash. Because of this, it is advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible following an accident—even if you don’t believe you are injured. 

Steps to Take After a Minor Car Accident in Texas

It’s clear that you should, at a minimum, schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer following a minor car wreck. However, in addition to consulting with a lawyer, there are other steps you should take. If you are involved in a minor car crash in Texas, you should do the following:

Call the police and remain at the scene: The first thing you should do after a minor accident is to call the police and remain at the scene. In addition to ensuring that you receive medical attention, doing so will result in the creation of a police report, which will be useful should you need to take legal action. This is also important because leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Texas under certain circumstances. 

Gather evidence: Next, you should gather as much evidence as possible. For example, you should take photos and videos of the scene, the vehicles involved in the accident, and any visible injuries you have suffered. In addition, you should collect the contact information of the other party and any witnesses.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible: Although you may receive a brief medical examination at the scene of the accident, you should schedule an appointment with a medical professional as quickly as possible. As noted above, not all injuries present symptoms right away. The only way to truly rule out any serious injuries is by receiving a thorough medical examination.  

You should seek legal counsel as soon as possible following a car accident—no matter how minor. In addition to the possibility of unknown injuries, you must ensure that you are prepared should the other party file a legal action against you. 

An experienced legal professional understands how car accidents affect people’s lives. Therefore, when you go to them for assistance, they will use their knowledge, skills, and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. 

Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation, so there’s no risk in reaching out for help and discussing your minor car accident. 

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711