What to Do After an Auto Accident in Texas?
If you wish to discuss a car accident injury with us, click here. If we agree to handle your case, we will normally work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery. In almost all cases, a car accident lawsuit in Texas must be filed within a certain amount of time from the date of the accident. If you intend to pursue a claim, you should contact a Texas car accident attorney right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
What to Do After an Auto Accident in Texas?
The following list of suggestions from our lawyers regarding what you should do after a Texas personal injury auto or truck accident. This is a checklist of the optimal things our Dallas auto accident lawyers suggest you would want to do after a personal injury car accident in Texas.
1. Think Safety. Many injuries occur way after the initial car accident occurs. People stepping out of their cars or trying to move their vehicles cause more injuries than when people just wait for the police to arrive. Simply shut down your car and make sure that it is safe to exit your car before stepping out. If your car posses a rick to others then move it to the shoulder of the road.
2. Call 911. Call 911 immediately whether or not you feel it is necessary or not. They will alert the police and emergency personnel for you.
3. Gather information . Make sure that you obtain the all of the information about the drivers involved in the car accident. Here is the information you will need:
- Their name, address and home telephone phone number
- Their employer's name and a work phone
- The make, model and year of his or her car
- The name of the registered owner of the car
- The other driver's insurance company name, agent name and policy number
- Note the driver's injuries or pain complaints
- Note any statements the driver makes to you about the accident.
4. Find witnesses. As quickly as possible your should obtain the names, addresses and/or phone numbers from any witnesses to the car accident. Many times people will leave the scene once they understand that the police and ambulance have been called often without leaving their names or phone numbers. This could cause critical witness to be lost forever.
5. Write down your own notes . Write notes such as the date and time of the accident, the location (street intersection or landmark), the weather and road conditions, a diagram showing the positions of the vehicles and the directions from which they were coming or located at the time of the happening of the accident. This type of information or any writing that you create is for the purpose of potential litigation and should not be given to anyone other than your personal injury attorney.
7. Do not take fault . It is important that you do not make any comments at the scene of the accident to other persons such as how the accident happened, the rates of speed or any other comments concerning the accident. Comments by you at the scene of the accident will always be used against you when your lawyer seeks to settle the accident case or at the trial of your car accident injury case.
8. Remain at the scene until help arrives because it is important that you wait for the ambulance or police to arrive.
9. Seek medical assistance always. If you are not taken by ambulance to a hospital then make sure that you go to an emergency room for a physician to evaluate you immediately. Many people feel fine at the accident scene but develop serious pain and further injury later. Adrenaline caused by the accident can hide pain and the full extent of your injuries. According to insurance companies, injured people will seek medical attention.
10. Listen to what people are saying. Listen carefully to what others are saying while at the scene of the accident. What the other driver or witnesses say can be of help to you and may help your case if you should file a lawsuit. Especially if they admit fault to the accident by saying things such as "I did not see you", or "I was driving too fast." Some people may just offer an apology for being at fault. Make sure you make a written notes of comment such as those as soon as practically possible.
11. Take photos. Photographs of the scene and damage to all the vehicles involved are a huge help to our Texas auto accident lawyers when we are preparing your personal injury case. It is a good idea to have someone from your family take photographs of your auto and the areas of damage to your car especially if you are hurt. Photographs from different angles, close up, and from a distance are the best types of photographic evidence to have. Make sure that you get photographs of the other driver's car.
12. Report the accident. Report the auto accident to your insurance company.To protect your rights to insurance coverage, your insurance company may require you to notify them of the happening of the accident, about the extent of injuries to you or your passengers and the damage to your car. It would also be advisable that you call our law firm before you give your insurance company any written statements or evidence.
13. Do not give a recorded statement until you speak to an attorney. Never give a telephone, written or recorded statement to any insurance company . Do not give a statement to any employees, representatives, investigators for any insurance company. To protect your rights you should discuss with a lawyer how to make a statement.
14. Seek counsel. Contact an attorney that handles these type of cases. It is true that car accident claims may be settled without attorney representation but Texas law related to accident injuries are complex and can change. Insurance companies are experts and are aware of the rules while most car accident victims are not. The insurance company does not and probably will not explain this to you. An attorney represents you by researching and analyzing the facts regarding your claim. Lawyers also prepare the legal documents, gather medical records, work with your health care providers and help negotiate a fair settlement.
