Being involved in a car crash is enough to ruin anyone’s day. For most, collisions are some of the most difficult moments of our lives. Sadly, statistics show that any time you’re in a vehicle you can be involved in a crash.
After being involved in a collision, there are some key things that you should do to protect your safety as well as the safety of others impacted by the accident.
Many people fail to discuss the importance of what you shouldn’t do after a crash, so the team of Houston car wreck lawyers at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD has created this guide to help you navigate the potential pitfalls of a car crash.
It’s crucial that you are prepared in the event of a crash, so let’s look at some tips on what you should not do in order to avoid complicating any potential injury claim.
Mistake 1 | Losing Your Temper After the Crash
It’s never in your interest to lose your cool after an accident. Don’t rush to accuse anyone and try to remain calm. Impatience and anxiety won’t help you resolve critical issues in the aftermath of an accident.
There are some simple tips that can help you reduce stress, including:
- Counting to ten
- Taking deep breaths
- Remembering that the other parties involved in the crash may be equally or more distressed
- Talking and listening to other involved parties
When dealing with others impacted by the crash, be sure to show empathy by asking questions like “are you okay?” or “do you need help?” These can help you deal with the situation in a calm and effective manner.
Mistake 2 | Leaving the Scene After the Accident
You always have to stay at the scene of the crash. Never leave the scene of a collision. You may think it’s okay to leave if it’s just a minor crash that didn’t result in serious property damage or injuries. Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal, you should remain at the scene. You have to stop, contact the police, check to make sure that no one was injured, exchange contact and insurance information, and contact the police. At the very least, you need to make sure you file a report of what took place.
Always remember: leaving the scene of a crash is a crime. If you’re involved in a collision, always stay to help others at the scene and wait for the police or emergency services to arrive.
Mistake 3 | Not Calling 911 & the Police
We often think it’s not really necessary to call 911 or the police if no one involved was injured, but that’s a big mistake. You should always reach out to authorities right after a crash.
It’s important that you first check to see if you or anyone else at the scene were injured. If you’re able to do so, be conscious of doing it safely without blocking traffic. If it’s dark out, try to turn on your vehicle lights or use emergency flares or other emergency devices.
You should always contact 911 right away. Everyoneinvolved in the crash needs to be checked out by a physician, even if they don’t have any obvious injuries because many injuries won’t manifest until days or weeks later. A medical report is also helpful if your personal injury case goes to trial.
When the officers responded to the scene, talk with them about what happened. The police will start an investigation into the crash. It’s crucial to obtain a copy of the police report, as it’s helpful in identifying who is responsible for the accident.
Mistake 4 | Taking Blame, Blaming Others
Always remember: when talking to the police and others present at the scene of a crash, never take blame for the crash and don’t blame anyone else involved in the accident. You should leave the police officers to verify the facts of the crash after they have gathered the necessary evidence. However, you should be sure to provide responding officials and your insurance company with an in-depth account of what happened.
Mistake 5 | Failing to Take Down Key Information
You should always ask for names, phone numbers, vehicle info, and any other details of the other people involved in the accident. Exchanging information should include getting the driver’s license numbers and insurance information. If the other party is driving someone else’s car, you should ask for the relationship and information of the vehicle owner.
Be sure to take down the make, model, license plate number, and color of all vehicles involved in the collision. Even take down your account of what happened, like what you were doing, the roadway conditions, the direction of traffic, and other relevant factors. Other key pieces of information you should obtain is information about the emergency services at the scene, like medical and police reports, You should also take down the names of responding officers and copies of the accident report.
If possible, you should talk to witnesses in the area. Take pictures of the scene of the crash. All the information and evidence you collect can be useful for any potential claim you file with the insurance company — or even for your attorney who helps with your case.
Mistake 6 | Not Reaching Out to Your Insurance Provider
You need to pay close attention because, in addition to contacting the authorities, you need to reach out to your insurance agent as soon as you can. Failing to do so can result in serious consequences, namely because you’re unable to file a claim until notifying your insurance company of the accident. Remember that many insurance companies have deadlines in place that set time limits on filing a claim. That means it’s better to start the process immediately.
You need to know what your insurance plan will cover as soon as possible. Keep in mind that you have the right to send your vehicle to a repair shop of your choosing. Once the process starts, follow up with the insurance provider. You will probably want to make sure your vehicle is quickly and properly repaired.
Mistake 7 | Failing to Take Necessary Action
We understand that experiencing a collision can be extremely traumatic, but we also know that many issues can arise later. In many cases, this means dealing with medical treatments, claims to the insurance company that is fighting you every step of the way, and even finding the right legal representation.
Mistake 8 | Signing Documents Without First Consulting with a Houston Car Crash Attorney
As we’ve said before, car crashes can leave victims confused and overwhelmed. It’s during these times that we have to be careful not to make the mistake of signing documents that could be potentially used as evidence against us later. You should also avoid giving out information about the crash out to others — except for the police, emergency medical services, your insurance provider, or your attorney.
Mistake 9 | Failing to Ask for Proper Legal Aid
Each state has unique laws, rules, and regulations that are specific to car crashes. These laws can quickly become complex, especially when filing claims and taking legal action against insurance companies. That’s why you should partner with a Texas personal injury attorney with years of experience if a lawsuit has to be filed.
Let’s Recap
Essentially, after a car wreck:
- Stay calm
- Remain at the scene
- Call 911 immediately
- Don’t take the blame or blame others
- Collect information from everyone involved
- Notify your insurance provider
- Take action
- Do not sign documents without legal representation
- Consult with an attorney
At West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, we know the damage that a car crash can cause. Our lawyers have years of experience handling car accident cases, but we don’t just focus on the law. We are also aware of the pain, confusion, and concerns of our clients. Our experienced lawyers like Nader Rabie, JD have handled cases and helped people throughout Texas. We are professionals who can help you recover fair compensation for your damages while making sure your legal rights are respected.
Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
Texas is a massive state where driving is a way of life. In the state, someone is killed in a car crash nearly every two hours, and a crash with injuries occurs nearly every 2 minutes and 17 seconds. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 47,585 reported collisions in Houston in 2012 alone. Car crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury in the state, and injured parties are often overwhelmed by significant damages in the aftermath of a collision.
The legal team at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD can help you recover after being unfairly injured by a reckless driver. Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, Nader A. Rabie, JD, and the rest of our team of experienced Houston personal injury attorneys have over 14 years of combined experience, and we have the resources to pursue all possible avenues for compensation. Give us a call today at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case and see what we can do for you.
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