When a Car Crash is Not Your Fault
Car accidents can happen at any time. Sometimes they’re your fault, sometimes they’re not.
Fault in car accidents refers to who caused the crash. A driver may be considered at fault if they violate traffic laws, such as speeding, running a red light, or driving distracted. Texas is an at-fault state for auto insurance, meaning that the driver at fault in an accident is responsible for paying for damages such as property damage and medical bills.
In any case, you need to protect yourself after a crash. You want to ensure you get the compensation you deserve, especially when you’re not at fault. This may mean hiring a lawyer to guide you through the process.
Determining fault is not an easy process though. Here are some steps to prove your innocence.
Gather Information
If you are pretty sure the accident is not your fault, you need to have evidence about how the crash occurred. Having proof will ensure that the driver who was responsible for the harm is held accountable for paying for it.
This means you should take some key steps at the scene to obtain important information such as the following:
- The other driver’s personal information such as name, address, and telephone number
- The other driver’s license and their vehicle’s license plate number
- The names and contact details of passengers or witnesses
- Photographs of the damage to the vehicles
- A copy of the accident report from the responding police
Visit the Doctor
Car accidents can cause injuries, but they may not be apparent immediately. You should get a comprehensive medical exam as quickly as possible so you can see if you have any issues. It also allows you to document injuries in case you need to make a claim against the other driver.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Regardless of who is at fault, you will want to inform your own insurance company of the collision as soon as you can. The reasons for this include the following:
- Minor accidents can sometimes turn out to cause serious damage. You need to make sure you are fully compensated.
- Your insurer can help you obtain compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
- Your insurer may pay for losses if the other motorist has insufficient coverage. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, your insurer stands in for the at-fault driver if that motorist can’t pay.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
When a car accident is not your fault, you still need to be proactive and take various steps to strengthen and support your claim. The things you say or do or do not say or do can affect your claim.
Whether or not an accident is your fault, it’s a good idea to have a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC on your side. We will work hard to protect your legal rights so you get the best outcome possible. Schedule a consultation today by calling 281-347-3247 or filling out the online form.
Source:
forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/what-do-after-car-accident-not-your-fault/
