Accidents are an unfortunate fact of life, and it is vital to be prepared should the worst happen. If you find yourself in a car accident, it may be distressing and upsetting, and you will need to consider your legal obligations and practicalities.
Here are some of the essential steps you should take if you find yourself injured in a car accident.
Stop Your Car
You should stop in a safe place immediately after an accident, put your hazard lights on and exit the vehicle if it is safe, and you can do so. You should remain at the scene and help others if you can.
Seek Medical Attention
If you or others are seriously injured, you should call 911 to receive emergency medical help. You may not feel some injuries immediately due to shock, so even if you feel fine, you should seek a medical assessment after any accident.
Inform The Police
Texas law requires car accidents that result in injury or damage over $1,000 to be reported to the police. If you don’t need emergency assistance, you can report the accident using your local police department’s non-emergency phone number.
Exchange Information
You should talk to the other people involved in the accident and exchange contact details and insurance information. If you hope to make a personal injury claim against another driver, you should also get the information of any witnesses. Do not discuss potential litigation with the other driver at the roadside.
Call An AttorneyÂ
An accident and personal injury lawyer can assess whether you have a claim to make. You should get in touch with a lawyer and give them as much information about the crash, your injuries and medical treatment as you can.
You should talk to several lawyers before choosing one to represent you. The Lopez Law Group is an excellent example of what to look for in a local accident lawyer.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You should inform your insurance company of the accident, regardless of whether you believe you were at fault or not. You should be cautious talking to the other party’s insurance company if you plan to get a lawyer involved.
Keep Records
You should take pictures of your injuries and the damage done to your vehicle. You should keep all of the information you receive from the police, medical professionals, and insurance company. You should keep notes of how the accident has impacted you financially, mentally and physically. This can provide evidence if you take the other driver to court.
Fix Your Car
You should get quotes from local mechanics of how much it will cost to repair your car. You should keep any receipts and invoices for work done to add to your records.
Talk To Someone
Being involved in a car accident can lead to mental health concerns such as PTSD. You should talk to a therapist if you feel you are not coping with the stress of the accident and your resultant injuries.