A car accident can happen in an instant. You may be just minutes away from home when another driver runs a red light and rams into your passenger door. Or you could be on your way to work after you dropped your children off at school and someone rear-ends you on the freeway. In the moments after the crash, you may be in a daze. You might know what to do.
Yet, if you do the following important things, you will better off in handling the aftermath of the accident:
- Call 911 and have police respond to the accident. You want to have a police report of the accident, to document what happened for your insurance company.
- Don’t admit fault for the accident. Texas is an at-fault insurance state. So, if the other driver is more than 50% at fault, their insurance will cover part of your injury costs. You also may think you are at fault and not really be.
- Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number and insurance information. Also gather contact information from any witnesses of the crash.
- Take photos of the accident scene with your cell phone and write down or record what you remember about the crash. Draw a diagram of the accident if you can.
- Seek medical treatment immediately if you suffer an injury or as soon as you experience injury symptoms. You could impact your ability to receive maximum compensation for your injuries if you don’t seek medical treatment right away.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. Even if you think the damage to your car is minor, it likely will cost more than you think to repair it. If you feel fine after your accident, you could wake up days later with an aching neck or back, making it imperative to file a claim.
- Consult an experienced attorney if you have a problem with your personal injury claim or before accepting a settlement for your injury costs. It’s not unusual for accident victims to face roadblocks getting their injury costs covered or receive low-ball injury settlement offers. An attorney can help you get the compensation you need to pay your medical bills and recovery costs.
Being involved in a car accident is unsettling. Dealing with a property and injury claim afterward can feel frustrating and overwhelming. But with help, you can get the compensation you need to focus on your recovery and move forward.