No one ever wants to find themselves involved a car wreck, but unfortunately the statistical odds aren’t in our favor. Every year there are well over 5 million car accidents across the country, amounting to nearly 15,000 accidents per day. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 256,076 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2016, which amounts to one person injured in a crash every two minutes, with a reportable crash occurring every 57 seconds.
If you ever have the misfortune of being involved in a car wreck, then it is important that you know what to do in the immediate aftermath. Victims of a car wreck are often grappling with the shock of the event or may be suffering from injuries, making it hard to focus on the practical aspects of ensuring you build a strong case for insurance claims or injury compensation. But the fact is, your actions immediately following a car wreck can affect the final outcome of your claim.
1. Document the Accident
After you’ve checked on the health and well-being of those involved in an accident, you should ensure that you are not in any immediate danger from oncoming vehicles or other potential dangers such as a fuel leak or fire. If you must move your vehicle to clear the way for traffic, you should try to take photographs and videos of the car wreck from different angles before you do so. Don’t miss out on documenting the surrounding area, including elements like broken glass or tire tracks which can help provide a more complete picture.
If there are any witnesses to the car wreck, be sure to obtain their names and contact information. You should always call the police to report an accident as well, since they will file an accident report, provide further documentation of the scene, and provide a potentially important third-party perspective.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you believe that your injuries may only be minor, it is imperative that you seek out the perspective of an experienced medical professional following your car accident. Not only do many injuries or complications arise at a later date, but the medical evaluation and records will provide the necessary documentation of your injuries for an auto accident claim.
At this time, you should also notify your auto insurance company about the accident but avoid giving an official recorded statement, and avoid accepting any immediate settlement offers, especially when the nature of your injuries may not yet be fully apparent.
3. Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney
Auto insurance companies are not necessarily on your side following a car wreck, and they have teams of highly trained lawyers, insurance adjusters, and investigators whose job it is to deny or minimize insurance claims. It’s for this reason that you need the guidance of an experienced Texas car wreck attorney as soon as possible. Besides handling all of the legal work, which allows you to focus on your recovery, an auto accident attorney will represent you during settlement negotiations, protect you from tactics used by insurance companies to deny or limit claims, and ensure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
If you’ve been involved in a Texas car wreck, then you should contact the team at Fears Nachawati. Our firm has helped thousands of Texans following their auto accident, and we offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to discuss the details of your accident and what an attorney can do for you. Please call (866) 705-7584 or visit the offices of Fears Nachawati located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.