First and foremost, you should always seek medical treatment immediately after an accident. Even if you are unsure about the nature of your injuries, you should still be examined by a medical professional. As soon as you are able, you should consult with an experienced injury lawyer who can guide you through the legal process. You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim against a negligent or wrongful party, so it is imperative that you act quickly. An attorney will conduct an independent investigation of your case, helping to gather all evidence and subpoena any necessary records regarding the incident. They will file the appropriate paperwork with the court to commence the lawsuit. Once the lawsuit is initiated, you will go through several different pretrial phases, including preliminary conferences, discovery, mediation, and trial.