# 5 Things You Need to Know About Going to the Emergency Room After a Car Accident | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Inform Medical Staff of All Your Injuries 2. Seek Follow Up Treatment After You are Discharged 3. Read All Documents Before Signing 4. Keep Descriptions of the Accident Concise 5. Hire a Qualified Houston Car Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible 6. Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers to Help You With Your Claim ![5 Things You Need to Know About Going to the Emergency Room After a Car Accident in Houston Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/5-Things-You-Need-to-Know-About-Going-to-the-Emergency-Room-After-a-Car-Accident-in-Houston-Texas-300x169.jpg) When a person is seriously injured in a [car accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) it is very common for them to be taken to an emergency room for treatment. While it might seem straightforward, what happens at the emergency room can greatly impact a case should that person decide to pursue legal action against the party responsible for their injuries. What you say to the doctors and nurses who treat you can eventually make or break your case. While you might still be reeling from the accident, if you can remember five key things about going to the emergency room after an accident, it will help your case immensely. ## Inform Medical Staff of All Your Injuries One thing that is common is for crash victims to only identify their most significant [car accident injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/types-of-car-accident-injuries/). To some extent this makes sense, especially in emergency rooms where patients are triaged by doctors and nurses.  Because your head and [neck](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/average-neck-and-back-injury-results-from-car-accidents/) are badly injured and you want to make sure those areas receive the most care from the medical staff, you might emphasize those injuries. But it is a mistake to overlook smaller injuries.  Not only could those smaller injuries become more serious later on, but they also could indicate other serious injuries. Finally, and unfortunately, too often it is the case that a person is denied fair compensation to pay for the treatment of injuries they failed to mention right away. If you don’t mention the bruising on your legs, the pain in your foot, or other injuries, an insurance company might argue they were not the result of the accident. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Seek Follow Up Treatment After You are Discharged In addition to identifying all of your injuries, it is important you seek follow up treatment after you are discharged. Doctors primarily treat life-threatening injuries in emergency rooms. If your injuries are determined not to be life-threatening you will be discharged relatively quickly. That does not mean you don’t need further treatment. Failing to seek further treatment, even for minor injuries, can also be used by insurance companies to argue that you weren’t really injured in the accident. This could hurt your case and reduce the amount of compensation you might be able to recover. ## Read All Documents Before Signing Before you are discharged, you will likely be required to sign a mountain of paperwork. Make sure you read and understand each and every document you put your signature on.  If you sign something that makes it seem the extent of your injuries is limited or that you are accepting responsibility for your injuries, it could hurt your chances of recovering damages later on. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Keep Descriptions of the Accident Concise When you tell your doctor or nurse how you got your injuries, it can be tempting to go into great detail about the accident. Unfortunately, your story could get twisted as medical staff paraphrases your story. It is often best practice to keep all statements about your accident concise. The doctors and nurses who are treating you are mainly concerned about your injuries. However, if they write something in their reports that indicate you didn’t think the other driver was [at fault](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/car-accidents-proving-fault-29604.html), it could hurt your case either in settlement negotiations or in trial. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Hire a Qualified Houston Car Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible Finally, because emergency room visits are so important to car accident cases, it is important to hire a qualified car accident lawyer in Houston, TX as soon as possible. This can be right after you are discharged or even while you are still in the hospital.  The sooner a lawyer can begin investigating your case, the better your chances are of recovering the [money](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/types-of-damages-available-in-personal-injury-cases/) you need to cover your bills, [lost wages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-i-be-reimbursed-for-lost-wages-after-a-car-accident/), and [pain and suffering](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-pain-suffering-personal-injury-case.html). ## Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers to Help You With Your Claim You are not required to hire a lawyer after a car accident that wasn’t your fault. However, hiring an experienced lawyer in [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/), [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) can help you prove the other driver was at fault and collect financial compensation from them. A car accident lawyer can help you navigate what to do after a car accident and help you fight for your legal rights. Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![10 Safety Tips for Driving on Slippery Texas Roads](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/10-Safety-Tips-for-Driving-on-Slippery-Texas-Roads-300x199.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/10-safety-tips-for-driving-on-slippery-texas-roads/) [10 Safety Tips for Driving on Slippery Texas Roads](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/10-safety-tips-for-driving-on-slippery-texas-roads/) Climate change has brought about dangerous alterations in weather patterns, often resulting in slippery roads and [![The 5 Most Common Types of Car Crashes](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Houston-Traffic-Accident-Attorney-Brian-White-Personal-Injury-Lawyers-1-300x200.jpeg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/rear-end-collisions-causation-physics-and-injuries/) [Rear-End Collisions: Causation, Physics, and Injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/rear-end-collisions-causation-physics-and-injuries/) Data compiled by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that rear-end collisions consistently [![Average Whiplash Injury Settlement After a Car Accident in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Average-Whiplash-Injury-Settlement-After-a-Car-Accident-in-Houston-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/average-whiplash-injury-settlement-after-a-car-accident/) [Average Whiplash Injury Settlement After a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/average-whiplash-injury-settlement-after-a-car-accident/) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies car accidents as one of the leading causes of traumatic [![Coldest Weather Events in Houston: Freezes, Snowstorms, and Road Dangers](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Coldest-Weather-Events-in-Houston-Freezes-Snowstorms-and-Road-Dangers-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/coldest-weather-events-in-houston-freezes-snowstorms-and-road-dangers/) [Coldest Weather Events in Houston: Freezes, Snowstorms, and Road Dangers](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/coldest-weather-events-in-houston-freezes-snowstorms-and-road-dangers/) Houston is known for heat, humidity, and hurricanes—not extreme winter weather. But every few years, the city --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-going-to-the-emergency-room-after-a-car-accident/