You have just gotten into a car wreck, and you are clearly shaken up. In addition to feeling panicked, you are in pain. What now?
Getting into a motor vehicle crash can understandably be one of the scariest experiences you may have, but it may also be frustrating if the accident was the result of another motorist’s carelessness. Fortunately, if someone else’s negligence has caused you to suffer injuries in a Texas car crash, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Here are a few steps you should take immediately following the crash to protect your best interests.
What to do following the accident
Following the accident, it is critical that you seek medical help first and foremost. Contacting police is also important as a police officer can produce a report for you highlighting what caused your accident. It may also behoove you to gather the numbers on the license plates of all of the cars involved in your accident. Likewise, you may want to collect the other drivers’ insurance information, telephone numbers, names and addresses.
While at the accident scene, you might also want to capture photographs of the accident scene from every angle possible. Taking pictures of the area surrounding the accident scene may also be beneficial for you. Once you leave the accident site, you might additionally want to record all of the work you miss due to your accident injuries as well as any medical treatments required in connection with the collision.
What not to do after the crash
While at the crash scene, it is paramount that you avoid moving your car. Also, the law requires you to remain at the accident scene, so it is critical that you avoid leaving the scene for any reason until a police officer says you can. In addition, it is wise to avoid throwing out any items that may serve as evidence in your case. These items may include, for example, bloodstained clothes and a damaged part of your car.
Finally, it is best to avoid discussing who caused the injury accident with others involved and to avoid apologizing for anything that took place at the time of the accident. This is because an apology may be treated as evidence of your liability for the accident. Following your crash, a personal injury attorney can examine your case and help you to pursue the maximum amount of monetary damages possible in light of your accident injuries and any other losses you have suffered in the accident.