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After a crash, you might be in a state of shock. You might be confused, or you might be angry. These feelings are common and normal. But it’s important to get into a calm mindset before talking to the other driver or the police. It’s hard to speak clearly and rationally if you’re angry or upset.
If you or your passenger(s) is seriously injured, pinned, bleeding, or unresponsive, don’t try to move yourself or the passenger. This can make injuries worse. Call 911 immediately or make sure someone else on the scene calls. If you’re not seriously injured, take a few deep breaths and do the following:
Leaving your car in the road can be hazardous. If the accident is relatively minor and your car is drivable, consider pulling over to a safe location on the side of the road. If your car is on the road but it’s too dangerous or not possible to move it, carefully exit the vehicle and move to a safe place off the road.
Use your phone to take photos of the scene from different viewpoints and angles. Make sure to get clear pictures of the vehicle damage, the positioning of the vehicles after the crash, any tire marks or debris on the road, personal injuries, etc. The more information, the better.
Even if no one has been hurt, you’ll need to call the police to get a complete report before you or anyone else involved leaves the scene of the accident. If there are witnesses nearby, make sure that they talk to the police about what they saw.
When the police report is complete and everyone is safe, call your auto insurance company to file a claim. Do not admit fault and be careful with your words (e.g., Do not say “I ran into someone.” Instead, say, “I was involved in an accident with someone.”).
Take down their full name, driver’s license number, insurance company name and policy number, and their license plate number. Do not admit fault to the other driver or witnesses, and do not say anything that might accidentally suggest you are at fault in any way (e.g., “I only looked down for a second.”).
Even if medical personnel arrive on the scene and don’t think you need emergency transportation to an ER, you should still go to the ER or your doctor’s office as soon as possible after the accident. You might feel normal after the accident, but many people have soft tissue injuries, whiplash, or even a concussion from hitting their head. Only a doctor can diagnose these conditions.
Write down everything you can about the entire accident, including what you remember happening, any details you noticed (even if they don’t seem important), where the vehicles ended up, the timing of events, etc. Also jot down details about their vehicle (make, model, color).
Our skilled Houston car accident attorneys can help you organize your information, file any necessary paperwork, and walk you through your rights as a victim.
If your car was seriously damaged or totaled, you could experience a significant disruption to your life. You rely on your vehicle to get to work, meet family obligations, and get around. If someone else caused the crash, you shouldn’t have to pay for repairs or to replace your car. Insurance companies often don’t pay the true cost of replacing a car—instead they compensate you for the depreciated value of your vehicle. Our Houston car accident attorneys may be able to get you more.
If you or a loved one suffered injury in the accident or if your loved one didn’t survive, it’s important to speak to a Houston car wreck lawyer as soon as possible to learn what recourse you might have. You may be entitled to significant compensation for injuries and damages.
Medical costs associated with car accidents are a gray area, since health insurance companies often expect the other driver’s auto insurance company to pay. If you paid out of pocket for medical bills because your health insurance company refused to pay, you have the right to recover payment for these costs. Call our Houston car accident law firm to learn more.
All drivers involved in an accident that results in property damage or injuries are required by Texas law to stop, stay at the scene, and exchange information. Don’t admit fault to the other driver, to witnesses, or to law enforcement. Our Houston car accident lawyers can guide you on how to determine liability for your situation. If you weren’t negligent, you have the right to file an insurance claim against the other driver.
If the other driver is found negligent and you sustained injuries, the amount of your settlement will depend on several factors, including how severe your injuries are, the total cost of your medical bills, how much income you’ve lost, whether you have lasting or permanent impairments, disabilities, or disfigurements, and your pain and suffering. Our Houston auto collision attorneys will fight for you to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
The best way to ensure you get the best settlement is to hire an experienced Houston car accident attorney. The Houston car accident lawyers at the Johnson Garcia LLP firm know when insurance companies are trying to take advantage of people to get a claim off their books. We’ll fight for your rights to get you the best settlement.
These conditions can make it difficult to see and create slippery road conditions that make it hard to control the vehicle.
A distracted driver might hit someone after they drift out of their lane, fail to stop, or change lanes without looking.
Those under the influence often drive recklessly and struggle to maintain control of their vehicle, which can lead to an accident.
These and other unexpected issues can cause drivers to suddenly swerve or stop, increasing the risk of an accident.
Thrill seekers or people who are upset or experiencing road rage may drive recklessly on purpose; some may even want to intentionally cause harm to other drivers.
Houston’s roads, freeways, and highways are some of the most dangerous in the nation. The metro area has some of the busiest roads and heaviest traffic of any state.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2018:
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