The Chaos of the Immediate Aftermath
Even a relatively minor automobile accident can be an incredibly frightening, chaotic, and disorienting thing to experience; having your spouse, children, or other loved ones in the vehicle with you when the impact occurs can make the terrifying situation exponentially worse. It is often very difficult to remain level-headed and calm immediately after a violent collision, but there are certain basic, legally required things which must be done immediately after an accident to ensure everyone’s physical safety. Furthermore, there are additional, highly strategic steps which should be taken once your adrenaline drops and you are able to think clearly about protecting your future financial recovery. Failing to take the right steps at the scene can severely jeopardize your ability to hold the at-fault driver accountable. This is exactly why victims of severe crashes must eventually seek the immediate counsel of experienced automobile accident lawyers who can guide them through the complex aftermath.
The absolute first, and most legally critical, thing to do after you’ve been involved in any type of motor vehicle accident is to stop your vehicle immediately. Stopping is not just a good idea; it is mandatory for many reasons. Most jurisdictions, including Texas, strictly require by law that you remain at the scene, provide your specific identifying information to the other drivers involved, provide whatever reasonable medical help you can to any injured parties, and immediately call 911 for additional emergency medical help if it is needed. Fleeing the scene of an accident, even a minor one, can result in severe criminal hit-and-run charges. You are also legally required to contact the police if there is property damage worth over a certain, relatively low dollar amount. Because modern vehicles and their complex internal sensors are so incredibly expensive to repair, the police should be contacted and dispatched to the scene in almost every single instance. Having an official police report on file is one of the first things your personal injury attorneys will look for when building your case.
Securing the Scene and Gathering Evidence
While you wait for the police and emergency medical personnel to respond to the accident scene, it is a very good idea to take immediate steps to warn other approaching motorists, especially if the accident occurred at night, in heavy rain, or on a blind curve. Activating your vehicle’s hazard lights, setting up reflective traffic cones, using flashlights, wearing reflective materials, and deploying road-flares can help you to draw attention to your disabled vehicles and safeguard yourself, your passengers, and any helpful passersby from secondary collisions. After the proper physical safeguards and safety precautions have been taken, it is vitally important to get the other driver’s full name, contact information, and detailed insurance information, while providing yours in return. Do not apologize or admit fault during this exchange; simply trade the required information.
Chances are that most of the relevant information will eventually appear in the official police crash report, but it is always a good idea to record the information yourself at the scene. If there is a clerical error in the police report—which happens quite frequently—your insurance company and your car accident lawyer may face massive, frustrating delays while trying to get the incorrect information officially amended. Don’t forget that sometimes independent, third-party witnesses can completely make or break your personal injury case. Look around the immediate area for possible witnesses and try to gather names and contact information from anyone who may have seen the accident occur before they leave the scene. Their unbiased testimony can be the key to proving the other driver ran a red light or was texting behind the wheel.
The Importance of Immediate Legal Counsel
After an accident, once the immediate medical emergencies have been addressed and you are safely away from the scene, an auto accident attorney should be contacted as soon as possible. Do not wait for the other driver’s massive insurance company to call you and offer a lowball settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. An attorney will most likely be able to offer you a completely free, no-obligation initial consultation, during which the attorney will touch upon the basics of relevant Texas traffic laws and ask you detailed questions about your accident, including whether or not you were injured, the severity of the vehicle damage, and what the police officer said at the scene.
At your initial consultation, you will also have a chance to ask the attorney specific questions about how to proceed with your claim. It can be incredibly helpful to write down any questions you might have beforehand, so that you don’t forget any important details while discussing the stressful event. A knowledgeable, aggressive attorney can be a massive asset if you’ve been injured; if you hire an attorney, he or she will work tirelessly to protect your legal rights, handle all communication with the aggressive insurance adjusters, and fight to get you the maximum financial compensation which you truly deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.