Important Things to Know After a Vehicle Accident in Texas

Automobile accidents are widespread in Texas. If you drive frequently, there is a significant possibility you may be involved in an accident at some point.

Following an accident, there are several things that you need to know.

Never leave the scene of a vehicle accident, no matter how minor the damage appears to be. Your first and foremost concern should be safety. If you see someone who is hurt, call for aid.

When an accident takes place, always move your vehicle to the side of the roadway. Set up emergency triangles or reflectors to warn other drivers. If someone is hurt, call 911 first before leaving the scene. Don't get out of your car unless you know you haven't been hurt. Be careful when getting out of the car because you might not be thinking straight.

Police officers are sometimes slow to respond to accidents, but if they do show up, make sure to take down their names, badge numbers, and contact information. You should also get a copy of the report after an accident.

You should be very careful when talking to other drivers about the accident. Don't admit guilt or blame them. Get as much information as possible, including their names and insurance information. Drivers should be responsible for their own safety. They should call the police if they get into an accident.

They should also take photos of the scene and record the time of the accident. Car insurance companies offer apps to help drivers document the details of an accident. A car crash occurs when two vehicles collide head-on. Each car is moving in opposite directions. Both cars are going fast, and there is insufficient time to avoid an accident.

Drivers should be careful when driving because accidents happen every day. Witnesses should be interviewed as soon as possible after an accident. Be sure to collect all relevant information about the accident. Collecting this information could help determine who was responsible for causing the accident. Never share your social security number, the coverage limits of your insurance policy, or other private details.

You should acquire the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any other drivers, passengers, or witnesses.

Cars need to be inspected after accidents. You should take pictures of the car and the road ahead. Photos taken during an accident may help you prove who was at fault if there is any dispute. A car crashed into another car, causing both vehicles to be flipped over. The driver of the first vehicle died in the accident.

Immediately after an accident, seek medical attention. Even if you think that you are uninjured, get checked out by a doctor. If you're injured, a diagnosis of the injury is critical when trying to collect the money you deserve from the insurance company. If you take prescribed medications, make sure to fill them quickly. Follow all of your doctor's orders and attend all follow-up appointments and therapy sessions promptly or risk losing compensation.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to pay a fee to get your vehicle towed to a collision repair shop. You may also need to pay a fee if you want your car repaired by a professional mechanic. Some companies offer free or low-cost services to help you out when you're in an accident.

Coverages work as follows: You and your passengers' expenses are covered by the other driver's property damage coverage, up to the policy's limits. Medical bills are covered if the other driver had bodily injury liability coverage, up to the limits of that coverage. No-fault state laws require that you get PIP benefits, but there is no requirement that the other driver carries any kind of insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage pays out if the other driver doesn't have insurance. Medical payments cover any injuries caused by the accident, but not property damage.

You can use this optional coverage if you're stranded or need a tow. However, it may be more cost-effective to call your insurance company directly. Additionally, using it will count as an accident, and accidents can increase your premiums. Be aware that you'll probably be needing collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to rental car reimbursement and emergency roadside assistance.

If you're involved in an accident, don't try to negotiate with the other party until after you've filed a police report. If you do, you could end up paying more than you expected. You can use your own coverage to pay for injuries to yourself and others in the car with you if you're driving in a no-fault state.

You might be able to get some money back by filing a claim for your car insurance. But you'll also need to file a separate claim for any medical expenses. Your health insurance may cover some of those costs. And there's another option: Underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage pays out when someone else causes an accident but doesn't have enough insurance to pay for damages. That person's auto insurer usually covers this kind of loss. So, if you have this kind of insurance, you may be able to recover more than you'd expect.

If you do not respond immediately, critical evidence may be lost or destroyed. Your attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC will conduct an investigation into all circumstances of your accident, acquire relevant evidence, and submit suitable claims against the responsible parties. Contact us today for free consultation.