Car accidents can result in traumatic or even catastrophic injuries. If a negligent driver caused your injuries, you may recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and even your pain and suffering.
Even if you don't know the cause of the accident, you can significantly improve your chances of recovering compensation for your losses by taking action immediately after and in the days following your car accident.
Get to a Safe Place
If you can, and your vehicle is drivable, move it out of the road to an emergency lane or nearby parking area. Otherwise, approaching motorists may not notice an accident just happened and will have to take immediate measures to stop their vehicles or veer around you.
If you do move your car, do not leave the accident scene. The law requires everyone involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in vehicle damage, injuries, or death to remain at the scene until police arrive. Leaving an accident scene involving injuries or death could result in hit-and-run charges, a crime in Texas punishable by fines and prison time.
You'll also want to assess yourself for any injuries as well as the other passengers in your car and occupants in the other vehicle. Remember that you and others involved may not notice your injuries or their extent due to the shock of the accident.
Call 911
You'll need to report the accident to 911 and inform them of any injuries you notice. Never assume the other driver made the call. They may try to talk you out of calling 911 and getting a police report of the accident. They may even try to talk you out of filing an insurance claim and offer to pay for your damages out of pocket.
Never accept an offer from the other driver. Call the police and have them come to the scene. The accident report can record vital evidence in your car accident claim, so you'll need to ask the responding officer how you can get a copy of their report.
The police report will include information from all drivers, witness testimony, and note any possible contributing factors. They may also determine which driver caused the accident and issue any citations.
Ask emergency responders to check you and other passengers for any injuries related to the accident. Accept any treatment they offer, and don't resist if they insist on taking you to the hospital by ambulance.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
The law also requires drivers involved in auto accidents to exchange insurance information with each other while at the accident scene. Police will also include this information in their accident reports, but it can take time to get a copy. You'll save valuable time gathering this information from other drivers on your own.
Most people have a smartphone, so you can photograph the other driver’s insurance and registration cards. These will include their name, make and model of their car, and policy number. If possible, photograph their driver's license as well. Share your information with the other driver as well.
If the other driver doesn't have their insurance card or registration, take photos of their license plate or other identifying information.
Preserve Evidence at the Accident Scene
Any evidence you can collect from the accident scene can strengthen your car accident claim. Here’s some evidence you may want to collect:
Photographs and Videos
Use your smartphone to take as many photos and/or videos as possible of the accident scene, such as:
- Damage to the vehicles involved
- Injuries sustained by those involved
- Any debris from the collision
- Skid marks
- Road hazards or obstructions
- Property damages caused by the accident
- People at the scene
- Vehicle license plates
Witness Testimony
Ask other passengers in your car, occupants of other vehicles, or bystanders if they saw the accident, and ask if you can write down or record what they say. Get their names and contact information. Memories fade in time, and eyewitness testimony can be crucial.
For the full guide on handling car accidents and securing compensation, contact us today for a free consultation.