Steps to Take After a Texas Car Accident

The roads in Texas are very busy. Car accidents happen on a daily basis. Many are minor, while others are major and even fatal.

No matter how serious your crash is, there are some steps you need to take if you are involved in an accident. If you don’t follow the correct steps, you could face issues with your insurance claim. In some cases, you could even be arrested and charged with a crime.

Pull Over

No matter how minor you think the crash is, you always need to stop and pull over. If you keep on going, you’ll be charged with hit and run, which can be a felony if there were serious injuries or death involved.

Call the Police

Whether or not you decide to call the police is up to you, although you definitely should if major damage or injuries were involved. If the crash was minor, then you don’t necessarily need to involve the police. However, having a police report can be beneficial for insurance purposes, especially if it’s clear that you weren’t at fault.

Exchange Information

You should, at the very least, exchange information with the other drivers involved. You will need their name and insurance information to give to your insurance company. The insurance companies will then determine who was at fault so the appropriate insurer can pay for damages.

Take Notes/Photos

It’s a good idea to take notes about what happened. Where and when did the crash take place? What was the weather and road conditions like? Take photos of the cars involved as well as the surrounding areas. If you were injured, take pictures of your injuries. These notes will be helpful to your insurance company and it may help them determine who is liable for the crash.

Say as Little as Possible

Be careful what you say after a car crash. Stay calm and avoid getting angry. On the opposite end, don’t even apologize. While you may want to be empathetic and say you’re sorry, an apology can be used against you. It can be used to determine blame, so don’t say anything except for exchanging information and asking the other party if they are OK.

Seek Medical Help

If you are injured, get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Even if you’re not sure if you’re injured, it’s best to err on the side of caution and get checked out anyway. Some injuries appear weeks later, and by that time, your insurance company may think you are faking your injuries. Avoid any doubt and get treated right away.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

A car accident can cause serious injuries. Get the compensation you deserve with help from an experienced legal team.

The Houston auto accident attorneys at the West Law Office, PLLC can assist you, whether your accident was big or small. We can help you recover money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call 281-347-3247.

Resource:

money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2018-07-03/7-steps-to-take-after-a-car-accident

https://www.houstonpersonalinjury.law/woman-killed-in-solo-vehicle-crash-in-texas/