Personal Injury Cases

Commonly asked questions about Personal Injury Cases

1. What do I do immediately after an accident?
   • Exchange information with the other driver: Make certain you get their contact information, as well as the information of their insurance company.
   • Identify witnesses: You may need to call upon witnesses later to support your claim. Make certain you get their information at the accident scene, if possible.
   • Take photos: Whether the photos are taken with your camera or phone, it is a smart idea to have visual documentation of the accident scene.
   • Call 911: Even if the injures from the accident are minor, you should always call medical and law enforcement officials.
   • Get to a doctor: See your family doctor to ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed immediately after the accident.
   • Call an attorney: Seek legal representation right away. An attorney will make sure that your rights are protected at all times.
2. How do I tend to my injury?

   See your doctor as soon as possible following your injury. Follow the doctor's orders. For you this may mean some, or all, of the following steps:

   1. Do not miss appointments with your doctor. Stay in touch with your doctor and be certain to maintain your appointments. The words no show on a doctor's record sheet can be used against you at the time of settlement or trial.
   2. Attend physical therapy sessions as prescribed. If physical therapy is prescribed, be sure to keep your appointments and participate actively in the process. Again, if you have to cancel an appointment, be sure to call, but try to avoid cancellation as much as possible.
   3. Do what your doctor tells you to do. If your physician prescribes certain medications, therapy exercises, or limitations on activities, be sure to follow your doctor's orders. Failure to follow your doctor's advice can be used against you when it comes time to settle your case, or can be used against you in court if your claim proceeds to litigation.
   4. Keep accurate record of time missed from work due to the accident.
3. Why won’t the insurance company for the person or company who caused my injuries automatically pay my medical bills as they occur?

   Most insurance companies for the person, persons, or company who caused your injuries will not automatically pay medical bills as they occur. Insurance companies only have to pay if a judgment is rendered against them. Settlements occur because of a clear chance of a potential verdict. Moreover, most insurance companies want to conclude or settle the claim with one sum of money. Therefore, most liability insurance companies will wait for the letter of demand from your attorney and then try to conclude the case all at once with one payment or try and avoid payment and forcing the claim to result in litigation. If you have experienced issues with insurance companies, contact our lawyers today for a free initial consultation.

4. How do I pay my medical bills?

   During your free initial consultation with Sommerman & Quesada, our lawyers will discuss the payment of your medical bills in detail with you. In summary, your medical bills may be paid by one of the following methods:

   • Your own health insurance from your employment benefits package.
   • Your own health insurance that you may have paid for personally.
   • Health insurance obtained by your spouse for your benefit or by your parents if you are under age and living with such parents.
   • Personal injury protection or medical payments insurance coverage from your own automobile policy if you were driving your automobile and were involved in an automobile collision.
   • Your own personal funds if you were not insured and are able to pay medical bills as they are incurred.
   • Workers' compensation insurance if your injury occurred while you were working on the job and the injury occurred as a result of your employment.
   • Other possible sources, such as an attorney's letter of protection.
5. Will the doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities wait for payment if I am unable to pay my bills as they are incurred?

   In most cases where there is no immediate method to pay medical bills as they are incurred, many doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities will wait to be paid for their services when the case is finally resolved by way of settlement or verdict in court. It is important to let medical providers know early in the process if you have no insurance or financial means to pay medical bills as they are incurred. Have any medical providers contact your lawyer.

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Sommerman & Quesada, L.L.P., is located in Dallas, Texas, and serves clients throughout the areas of Fort Worth, Arlington, Garland, Irving, Plano, Carrollton, Denton, Frisco, Grand Prairie, McKinney, Mesquite, Richardson, and other areas including Collin County, Dallas County, Delta County, Denton County, Ellis County, Hunt County, Johnson County, Kaufman County, Parker County, Rockwall County, Tarrant County and Wise County. We also serve clients throughout New Mexico in the areas of Roswell, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Las Lunas, Carlsbad and the other nearby areas.