A motorist has just struck your car, and suddenly, you feel as though you are living a nightmare. Not only is your car severely damaged, but you are also in pain. To make matters worse, you have just learned that the driver who hit you was trying to text and drive at the time of the accident.
Sometimes car accidents in Texas are the result of careless motorists. Fortunately, in this type of situation, you have the right to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered. Here are a few important steps to take following a car crash to protect your best interests.
Steps to take at the crash scene
Following your motor vehicle crash, be sure to remain at the accident scene, and call for police as soon as possible. If you leave the crash scene before police allow you to, you may end up facing criminal penalties. While at the scene, a police officer will collect information about the accident and then include this information in a police report.
Before you leave the scene, it is critical that you also exchange information with the driver who caused your crash. For instance, you may want to get his or her name, phone number, address, and driver’s license number. While speaking with this individual, it is important that you avoid admitting making a mistake behind the wheel, however. If you apologize for something you did, you might end up being held liable for any injuries resulting from the accident.
Steps to take after you leave the accident scene
If you receive medical attention following your car accident, it is a wise move to keep a record of the treatment you receive. This includes any care you receive from a general physician and even the treatment you receive from a chiropractor or physical therapist, for example. Bills and medical reports can both come in handy for proving your health care expenses down the road.
Your rights after an injury-causing wreck
Following your accident, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against the person who caused the accident. You must be able to establish liability in court, based upon a showing of negligence, before a judge will determine claims for damages. If you are successful, you may receive a judicial award of damages that might help you to cover your medical costs and other accident-related losses.