What Do I Need to Do After a Car Accident?

What Do I Need to Do Right After a Car Accident?

Unfortunately, car accidents happen every day. While some of us are lucky never to be involved in a car accident, the statistics are alarming. But what happens after you are involved in an accident?

Check Yourself and Your Passengers for Injuries

After an accident occurs, injuries generally follow. The first thing you should do is check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 9-1-1. Even if the injuries appear minor, adrenaline may be masking the severity of your injuries.

Do I Need Medical Attention?

If you are involved in an accident and are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Your health is by far the most important thing to worry about following an accident. Cars can be replaced—your health cannot. If you are injured, the best option is to call an ambulance immediately. If your injuries are minor and you feel fine enough to drive, be wary. The adrenaline may be masking just how injured you are.

If you are not injured following an accident, we still recommend that you go to urgent care or your primary care physician. You may not have any pain immediately following the accident, but it is common for pain to appear the next day. Therefore, schedule an appointment and have a professional do a physical examination.

Get to Safety

The majority of car accidents happen on busy roads. It is important to get to safety if you are physically able to. Be extremely careful as you may be inured following the accident. If you are injured, call 9-1-1 immediately and follow their instructions.

Do I Need to Contact Police?

Depending on the severity of the accident, you may or may not need to contact the police. If the collision is minor and you do not need police assistance, you should exchange insurance information. In the event your adrenaline wears off and you find yourself in pain, it will be beneficial to have the other person’s insurance information to make a claim.

However, if there is over $1,000.00 in damage or injury to any person, you are required by law to report the collision to Texas police. In any event, it is always safer to contact law enforcement if you are involved in an accident so that a crash report can be generated. A crash report will provide all the information you need to know concerning the crash, and if needed, will greatly help in a lawsuit.

Document the Accident

After the accident, ensure that you get the name and contact information of the person who hit you, as well as any responding officers. Furthermore, ask for a copy of the accident report or where you can obtain a copy of the accident report. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and the other person’s vehicle. Collect the names and contact information of any willing witness.

Call An Attorney

While you can file a claim by yourself, insurance companies have a tendency to make receiving the compensation you deserve difficult. They may deny your claim or offer you a very low sum of money. Having a professional review the facts, such as the accident report, your medical records, loss wages, and any quotes concerning vehicular damage, can help you secure a higher settlement for your accident.

The Joeckel Law Office is Texas’s most dedicated car accident attorney. Our attorney will work tirelessly to secure the results you deserve for your accident. We offer free case reviews, and our car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us unless you win! Our car accident lawyers can also help you receive the medical care you need if you cannot afford medical treatment.