Being involved in a car accident in Houston can make for a confusing time as you attempt to make sure that everyone is okay and that you understand how the accident happened in the first place. However, the actions that you take immediately following a Houston car accident can play a large part in whether or not you're able to receive compensation for your injuries down the road.
If another driver was at fault for your accident, they would be liable for your injuries. In the meantime, it's important that you avoid making any mistakes and focus on taking the right steps following a car accident. Our Houston car accident lawyer delves deeper into this.
Make Sure You Contact Texas Police Right After Your Car Wreck
The first thing you should do once a Houston car accident has occurred is to contact the police, which is something that will prove useful now and in the future when it comes time to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Among the most important elements of contacting the police after an accident is that they will create a police report that details almost everything about the accident.
This police report will include the current lighting, road, and weather conditions, any citations that have been issued to the drivers involved, witness statements, and information about the other driver like their name and insurance information. If you were injured in this accident and the other driver was to blame, the police report may be able to help you get the compensation that you're owed. This report should also include photos of the accident as well as measurements of skid marks that provide evidence on how the accident unraveled.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately After a Houston Car Accident
When you contact the police, it's important that you request an ambulance if there are any injuries. Even minor injuries should be treated soon after the accident has occurred. One injury that's not immediately apparent but can cause a wide range of health issues if left untreated is whiplash, which is particularly common in car crashes. Receiving medical attention will not only make you feel better but will also serve as proof of your injuries in the event that you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. If you received medical attention immediately after the accident but no injuries were detected, you should still schedule a couple of follow-up appointments in the weeks following the accident in the event that symptoms have been delayed.
It's also essential that any treatment recommended by a medical professional is adhered to if you want to receive compensation for your injuries. The law dictates that you do everything you can to mitigate the health problems caused by your injuries. If you are told that you must take certain medications following the injury but fail to do so, your ability to obtain compensation could be in jeopardy. Medical professionals can also serve as witnesses to your injuries and how extensive they were, which can be beneficial if your case ever goes to court.
Obtain Information From Other Drivers and Witnesses
While a police report should document most of the details of your accident, you don't want to depend on this report to back up your claims when you file a lawsuit against the other driver. It's also important to understand that police reports can take time to be filed depending on the exact city where the accident takes place. Some reports are placed online in a matter of a few days. On the other hand, some counties only make police reports available as a physical document, which can take weeks or even a couple of months to be available. As such, there are a variety of things that you should do immediately after the accident to obtain the right information.
In order for the other driver to be deemed at fault for the accident and your injuries, you and your Houston personal injury attorney will need to be able to prove negligence. The most important document that can help to prove negligence is the police report. However, you should also speak to the other driver following the accident to obtain their name, insurance information, and the license plate of their vehicle.
If any witnesses saw what happened, it's important that you speak with them and record everything they say along with their name and phone number. Any medical records, car accident photographs, and wage information will also be important when you're building a case. It's highly recommended that you use a daily journal to write down how your injuries are affecting you and your everyday life, which could support your claim.
Get in Touch With Our Pasadena Car Accident Legal Team
The final step that you should take if you've been injured in a car accident is to get in touch with our Houston car accident attorneys here at SJ Injury Attorneys. We've been in business for many years and understand what it takes to prove the negligence of another driver. We'll also be able to provide you with legal advice on what the best option would be to obtain the amount of compensation that you're owed.
If you've been thinking about filing an insurance claim, we'll help you determine if this option is enough for your injuries. If the injuries are severe, a lawsuit may be more appropriate so that you can receive a higher amount of compensation. Our trained and experienced attorneys will also guide you through every facet of the claims or lawsuit process so that you always know what's going on with your case.