Important disclaimer: AmericanSaverGuide is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information below is general consumer education. For specific legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Hurt in an accident? Here's what to do first
If you've been injured in a car crash, slip-and-fall, or workplace incident in the U.S., the steps you take in the first 72 hours can make or break your potential case. Insurance adjusters move fast — and they're not on your side.
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- Connects you with local injury lawyers in 60 seconds
- Free initial case evaluation — no obligation
- Contingency fee model: no upfront cost
- Network covers all 50 states
- Available for car accidents, slip & fall, medical injury
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- Lawyer-matching service, not a law firm
- Attorney fees vary by case complexity
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Step-by-step: what to do after an accident
- Get medical attention immediately — even if you "feel fine." Adrenaline masks injuries; whiplash often appears 24-72 hours later.
- Document everything at the scene — photos of vehicles, road conditions, weather, your injuries, license plates. Get witness names and phone numbers.
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance — anything you say can be used to reduce your settlement.
- Don't sign any release or accept any payment from the other party's insurance until you understand what you're entitled to.
- Get a free case review with a personal injury attorney — most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they win.
- Track all expenses — medical bills, prescription receipts, lost wages, mileage to appointments, property damage estimates.
Types of cases where free consultations help
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Slip-and-fall on commercial or residential property
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Workplace injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Wrongful death claims
How contingency fees work
Most U.S. personal injury lawyers don't charge hourly. They take a percentage of the settlement only if they win:
- Standard pre-trial settlement: 33⅓% of recovery
- If case goes to trial: 40% is common
- Plus case expenses (filing fees, expert witnesses) — sometimes deducted before, sometimes after the percentage
If they don't win, you owe nothing.
Statute of limitations: don't wait too long
Each state limits how long you have to file an injury lawsuit. Common state deadlines:
- 1 year: Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee
- 2 years: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, NV, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, VA, WV
- 3 years: AR, DC, MD, MA, MI, MS, MT, NH, NM, NY, NC, RI, SC, SD, VT, WA, WI
- 4 years: Florida, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming
Legal Help FAQ
How much does a free case review actually cost?
Truly free. Personal injury law firms invest the time to evaluate cases because they only earn money on cases they accept and win.
Should I get a lawyer for a minor fender-bender?
If there are no injuries and damage is minimal, probably not. Get a lawyer if there's any injury, disputed fault, totaled vehicles, or insurance pushback.
How long do injury cases take?
Simple settlements: 3-9 months. Litigated cases: 1-3 years. Most cases settle before trial.
What is my case worth?
Settlements depend on medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, fault percentage, and policy limits. A free consultation is the only honest way to estimate value.
Is the matching service the same as hiring the lawyer directly?
Lawyer matching services connect you with attorneys in their network. You then have a direct attorney-client relationship with the lawyer — they represent you.
Editor's tip: Time matters. Insurance companies have entire teams whose job is to settle quickly and cheaply before victims understand what they're owed.