When you or your close family member has just received serious injuries in a traffic accident, the first priority should always be to ensure that proper medical care is received to stabilize their condition and speed their recovery. But once medical care has been arranged and the injured party's condition is stabilized, it is normal to begin thinking about the accident and your legal options for addressing the damage, pain, and suffering it caused for your family.

If you are in this position, either as a patient or as a parent or spouse of the patient, the following information will help you get the answers you need about potential legal options available to you. 

Gather documentation

Reliable documentation will be needed, should you decide to explore any legal options available to you due to the accident and the injuries and damages caused by it. As soon as you are able to do so, you will want to get a copy of the formal accident report made by the law enforcement agency who responded to the scene. 

You should also seek to find contact information for any witnesses to the accident or anyone who may have been present in the area at the time of the accident or during the immediate aftermath. Photos of both the damage and the scene where the accident occurred, eye-witness accounts, and your own memories of the accident should be gathered in writing, with times, dates, and contact information for the person providing the information. 

Seek out medical information

In addition to information about the accident, you will also need to gather detailed information about the injuries incurred in the accident, their treatment and the patient's prognosis. In addition to copies of basic medical records, it can be very helpful to include copies of diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and scans, to help illustrate the injuries and their severity. 

Avoid quick insurance settlement offers

Insurance companies will often offer a low settlement amount in the days or weeks immediately following an injury traffic accident in the hopes of avoiding a more expensive settlement. Instead of accepting this type of offer, those who have been seriously injured in a car accident are advised to consult with a reputable attorney before agreeing to any settlement. 

In addition to helping injured parties seek fair compensation for their injuries, an auto accident attorney can also provide information about seeking additional compensation for pain and suffering and any future medical needs that may be necessary as a result of the injuries suffered in the accident.