Important Steps To Take After A Car Accident In Texas
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience that may have a major impact on you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether the collision is a minor fender bender or a far more serious accident, the aftermath of the incident can be overwhelming and stressful. However, regardless of the circumstances of the car accident, it’s important that you don’t panic or act without thought. To protect your long-term health, quality of life, and finances, there are several steps that you’ll need to take. Some of these actions need to occur as soon as possible after the collision, and others will be a bit less urgent. That said, taking the proper steps can help to ensure that you receive any compensation you might be owed and avoid being unfairly held responsible for an accident that was not your fault.
Here, we’ll take a look at the most important steps to take after you’re involved in a car accident in Texas.
1. Make Sure That Everyone Is Okay
After a car accident of any magnitude, the very first thing you should do is check to see if everyone is alright. Immediately after the collision, you need to evaluate your own physical condition and check on any other occupants of your vehicle. Then, once you’ve observed that it’s safe for you to exit the vehicle, you should check to see if any other party has been seriously injured.
When an auto accident occurs, it may cause your fight or flight response to kick into action. This can sometimes make you feel like you need to flee from the situation or behave rashly. However, it’s vital that you keep your cool, stay at the scene of the accident, and verify that everyone involved in the incident is okay. If you or any other party has suffered a significant injury, it’s important that you immediately call 9-1-1 to get an ambulance or, if necessary, a fire response unit. With any serious car accident, the top priority should always be the health and safety of the people involved. That means that if any serious injuries have occurred, getting them the medical attention they require should take precedence over everything else.
Once you’ve verified that you, the other occupants of your vehicle, and the other parties involved in the accident are alright, you can move on to the next post-collision step.
2. Get Out of Harm’s Way
After confirming that every party involved in the car accident seems to be okay, you’ll need to move to a safe area. If your vehicle is still operational, the best option may be to drive it to the side of the road or into a nearby parking lot. However, if your vehicle is disabled, you should not stay in the middle of the street with it. Doing so will greatly increase the likelihood of being hit by another vehicle. Once you’ve verified that you have a safe path off the road, you and the other parties should move out of harm’s way.
3. Contact the Police
If you’ve been involved in a major car accident in Texas, the next step you’ll need to take is contacting the police. While getting the police involved typically isn’t necessary for a minor collision, it’s an important part of the process for any accident that involves significant property damage, injuries, or deaths. Of course, if your incident involves major injuries, police will already be on their way as soon as you call 9-1-1 and report the event.
When the police arrive at the scene of the car accident, they’ll make a report of the situation, which will usually include interviewing the involved parties. If the collision leads to the involvement of a car accident law firm, the initial police report can be instrumental in proving responsibility. This means that if you’re attempting to receive a settlement for damages you’ve suffered, the report may help you prove your case. To protect your interests, you should ask to receive a copy of the police report, and you’ll also want to record the names and badge numbers of every officer who reports to the scene.
4. Exchange Information With the Other Driver
When you’re in a safe location and waiting for the police to arrive at the scene of the car accident, that’s a good time to exchange information with the other involved driver. In Texas, it’s required that you take care of this step while you’re still at the site of the collision. Ideally, you’ll want to take a picture of the other driver’s insurance information as well as their driver’s license. You should also record the make and model of their vehicle and their license plate number. Additionally, it’s a prudent choice to record the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
While you’re talking to the other driver or police officer, do not admit fault for the accident. It’s difficult to determine who’s at fault in the immediate aftermath of a collision, and if you take the blame, it could have serious financial implications down the road.
5. Record Details of the Accident
Before you consult with any car accident attorneys, you’ll want to have thorough documentation regarding the details of the accident. For example, it’s wise to take photos of the site. You should also take any relevant notes about the incident while they’re fresh in your memory. Having a detailed record of the car accident can help you later on when dealing with insurance companies or litigation.
6. Get Medical Attention
Even if you don’t believe you’ve sustained any serious injuries from your car accident, you should still receive medical attention as soon as possible. In many cases, injuries from collisions will not present themselves immediately, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t occurred. Ideally, you should get a full check-up after the car accident. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any pains or symptoms you’ve experienced after or since the collision.
Getting medical attention after a car accident in Texas can also help with your insurance claim and receiving the compensation you’re owed. The medical records will provide evidence of any injuries you’ve suffered, making your claim easier to handle for your car accident lawyers.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as you get the chance, an important step to take after a car accident is reaching out to your auto insurance provider. You’ll need to report the details of the incident, and you should be sure to disclose any injuries you’ve suffered. If your insurance policy features collision benefits, you will have the opportunity to have your vehicle inspected and repaired right away. However, you may choose to wait to see if the insurance provider of the other involved party accepts fault for the accident. You may want to hold off until you’ve spoken to a car accident law firm before making this decision.
It’s important to note that you should not communicate with the other driver’s insurance company until you’re represented by a car crash law firm in Texas. Your car accident lawyers will then be able to deal with the other party’s insurance provider on your behalf.
8. Contact a Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
Getting in touch with qualified car accident lawyers is an essential step after being involved in an auto accident in Texas. Car accident attorneys in Texas who specialize in personal injury claims will be able to provide you with the guidance and representation you need during this difficult time. For example, a skilled car crash lawyer in Texas can walk you through the process of filing your insurance claim. They can also act on your behalf when the time comes to communicate with the other driver’s insurance provider. Filing a car accident insurance claim can be a complex, stressful process, and working with car crash attorneys in Texas will ensure that you don’t have to handle it yourself.
A reputable car accident law firm will also be extremely helpful if an insurance company tries to deny your claim unfairly, offer you less compensation than you deserve, or delay their payment to you. These attorneys have experience dealing with insurance providers, and they’ll be able to ensure that they act in good faith. If these companies attempt to take advantage of you, your lawyers can threaten litigation and fight on your behalf. If your claim ends up going to trial, qualified car accident attorneys can take many steps to improve your chances of success. These may include gathering relevant evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building the best possible case for you.
With most car crash attorneys in Texas, you won’t have to pay anything until after you’ve received your compensation for damages. This means that you won’t be taking any financial risk by bringing them onto your team.
9. Get a Copy of the Crash Report
Approximately seven to 10 days after your auto accident in Texas, the crash report should become available for purchase. In most cases, you can buy the crash report from your accident directly from the Texas Department of Transportations. This report will include the information recorded by the police officer who responded to the accident, and it can be very helpful to the insurance claim process. As soon as you can, you’ll want to get your copy of the report and provide it to your car accident attorneys.
10. Keep Detailed Records
In the weeks and months following your car accident in Texas, you’ll want to keep detailed records of every way in which the incident has impacted your life. For example, you should keep a diary, in which you can record your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It’s also an excellent idea to keep records of any medical treatments you undergo and medical expenses you incur, including medications you’re taking, physical therapy sessions, and all other treatments and procedures. Finally, if the car accident has caused you to miss work, you need to record any lost wages.
Keeping detailed records of this information can make the claims process far easier and greatly increase your odds of receiving full compensation in a timely manner.
Taking the Correct Steps After Your Car Accident in Texas
While the specific details will vary for every car accident, these are generally the most important steps to take after a collision occurs. As long as you keep a level head, make thoughtful decisions, and take the right actions, there’s no reason that you can’t recover from your car accident and maintain your quality of life. With the proper assistance from a reputable car accident law firm in Texas, you’ll also be able to receive the full compensation you’re due without having to deal with a stressful, drawn-out process.