Each year, there are more than 6 million automobile accidents in the United States!
What should you do if you’re in one of these accidents?
When you get in an auto accident, the crash is just the beginning. Here are the eight things you should do after getting in a car accident.
1. Check to See if You or Your Passengers are Injured
First, check to see if you are injured. If you are hurt, don’t move—wait for emergency personnel. If you are able to, check on your passengers to see if they are okay.
2. Move to a Safe Location
You should get out of your vehicle if you are not seriously injured and move to the side of the road or a sidewalk to avoid additional injuries.
Don’t move your car unless you have to. If you do need to move it make sure your first take pictures and document the scene of the accident.
3. Contact Emergency Personnel
After you are safe, call 911. Let them know if there are any serious injuries.
You need to call the police no matter if it’s a big accident or a minor fender bender with minimal damage.
4. Gather Information from the Other Driver
Next you will need the following information for your accident claim. Be sure to write down the following:
- Driver and passenger names
- Insurance policy number, company, and agency
- License plate numbers
- Models of all vehicles
- Location of the accident
- Eyewitness contact information
- Responding police officer’s name and badge number
If you don’t have a pen, you can take a picture of the other driver’s insurance card. You can also text yourself the other information like phone numbers and names.
5. Take Detailed Notes
Take photos of the accident for your records. Also, the police officer should give you the accident report number. You will need this report number when you file your claim.
Make detailed notes to yourself about what happened, including where you were and what you were doing, where the other car was, how the collision happened, and any contributing factors such as the weather or other road conditions.
The process of documenting everything pertaining to the accident is essential for getting the most out of your accident claim.
- Limit Your Conversation With the Other Driver
To protect yourself, limit your conversation with the other party about the accident. You should never admit any fault—that’s up to the police to decide who is at fault. Only discuss your accident with your attorney, police, or medical personnel.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
After you receive medical treatment, you need to contact your insurance company or agent. If you are not injured, you can call them from the scene. They will need your accident report number so you may have to wait until the report is filed.
The contact information should be on your auto insurance ID card. Even if the accident is clearly not your fault, you should still contact your insurance company.
8. Contact an Attorney
Auto accidents can be life changing, from financial set-backs, recovering from injuries, and post-traumatic stress. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence you‘re entitled to seek compensation.
Remember, the claims adjuster working for the at-fault party’s insurance company is not your friend. They will attempt to settle for the lowest amount possible. It’s best to let a professional, experienced, personal injury attorney handle your claim to help you get the settlement you deserve.
Call Herrman and Herrman to Get Started on Your Personal Injury Case Today!
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car crash, it’s paramount that you seek damages as soon as possible. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the personal injury lawsuit process on your own.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
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