A car accident on Texas roads can be nerve-wracking, especially when someone is injured. But this is the time to stay calm and act fast to help ensure the safety and well-being of all the individuals involved. Your swift and considered actions in the moments after the accident will go on to impact how well the injured victims recover from the aftermath as well as how far they are able to hold the negligent parties liable for maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.
The First Step: Seek Emergency Medical Assistance
When you are involved in a car accident in Texas where someone is injured, the first and most critical step is to call for emergency medical assistance. Prompt medical attention can be vital in preventing further injury and can ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved. Here’s what you need to know about this key first step to take after an accident resulting in injuries:
Assess the Situation: As soon as the accident occurs, take a moment to assess the situation and check for injuries. If anyone is visibly injured or complaining of pain, you must prioritize their well-being and seek medical help immediately.
Call 911: Use your cell phone to call 911 or the local emergency services number to request assistance. Provide the dispatcher with essential details about the accident, including the location, the number of vehicles involved, and any injuries sustained by passengers, drivers or pedestrians.
Follow Dispatcher Instructions: The dispatcher may provide you with instructions on how to administer first aid while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. Follow their guidance carefully and provide any necessary assistance to injured individuals.
Cooperate with Emergency Responders: When emergency medical personnel arrive at the scene, provide them with accurate information about the accident and the injuries sustained. Follow their instructions and cooperate fully to ensure that injured parties receive the necessary medical treatment.
Document Medical Treatment: Keep records of any medical treatment provided at the scene of the accident and during transportation to the hospital. This documentation may be important for insurance claims and legal proceedings later on.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t believe you have been seriously injured, it is prudent to undergo a thorough medical evaluation following a car accident. Some injuries, such as whiplash, traumatic brain injury, or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time if left untreated.
Other Immediate Steps After a Texas Car Accident Involving Injuries
In addition to calling for emergency medical assistance, there are several other important steps to take after a car accident in Texas where someone is injured. These steps can help protect your well-being, gather essential information, and facilitate the claims process:
Focus on Safety
If it is safe to do so, move vehicles out of the roadway to prevent further accidents or injuries. Turn on hazard lights and use flares or reflective triangles to alert other drivers to the accident scene.
If the vehicles involved are obstructing traffic flow and can be moved without causing further harm, you should relocate them to a safe location, such as the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot. This helps reduce the risk of additional collisions and ensures the safety of everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, and emergency responders.
Exchange Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Be sure to obtain their name, phone number, address, insurance company, policy number, and vehicle registration information. If there are witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information as well.
This information enables the timely and efficient processing of insurance claims and facilitates communication between the parties involved in resolving liability issues. Witness statements can provide additional insight into the circumstances surrounding the accident and help corroborate the accounts of those directly involved.
Document the Accident Scene
Take photographs of the accident site, including vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs or signals. These photos can serve as valuable evidence when filing insurance claims or pursuing legal action.
Visual documentation of the accident scene captures key details that may be overlooked or disputed later. Additionally, documenting traffic signs and signals helps establish the prevailing conditions at the time of the accident and may reveal potential violations or hazards.
File a Police Report
In Texas, you are required to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the local police or sheriff’s department. A police report provides an official record of the accident and can help support your insurance claim.
Law enforcement officers conduct on-scene investigations, gather witness statements, and document their observations in the police report. This objective documentation serves as a critical piece of evidence in determining fault and liability for the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and provide them with accurate details of what happened. Be honest and cooperative when communicating with your insurer, but avoid admitting fault or making speculative statements.
Provide your insurer with factual information about the accident, including the date, time, and location, as well as details of the vehicles involved and any injuries sustained.
Preserve the Available Evidence
Preserve any physical evidence related to the accident, such as damaged vehicles, clothing, or personal belongings. Keep copies of medical records, repair estimates, and other documentation related to the accident and your injuries.
Physical evidence, such as vehicle damage, provides tangible proof of the severity and extent of the collision, while medical records document the nature and extent of your injuries and treatment. Repair estimates and invoices serve as evidence of the costs associated with vehicle repairs and medical expenses, supporting your claim for compensation.
Notify Your Employer
If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, notify your employer as soon as possible and provide them with any necessary documentation, such as medical certificates or disability forms. This can help ensure that your employment status is properly addressed and may be relevant if you need to seek compensation for lost wages.
Keep a Journal to Record Pain and Suffering
Maintain a detailed journal documenting your injuries, symptoms, medical treatments, and any limitations or challenges you experience as a result of the accident. This can serve as valuable evidence of your damages and the impact the accident has had on your life during the claims process or potential legal proceedings.
Be Cautious with Social Media
Avoid discussing the accident or your injuries on social media platforms, as these posts could be used against you by insurance companies. Refrain from posting photos or updates about your activities that could be misconstrued as evidence that your injuries are less severe than claimed.
Follow Up Diligently for Medical Care
Follow all recommendations provided by medical professionals and attend any follow-up appointments as scheduled. Prompt and appropriate medical care can significantly impact the health recovery process and the outcome of any personal injury claims.
Get a Top-Rated Texas Personal Injury Lawyer on Your Side: The Most Strategic Step After a Car Accident in Texas Involving Injuries
A car accident due to another’s negligence can cause significant physical, emotional, and financial distress. In the chaotic aftermath of a collision, you must protect your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses. One of the most strategic steps is seeking legal help after an accident with injuries. Enlist legal representation from the leading Texas personal injury lawyer Humberto Tijerina at Tijerina Legal Group who can fight for maximum compensation on your behalf from all the liable parties.
Fault and Liability in Texas Car Accidents
In Texas, determining fault and liability in car accidents is critical to securing compensation. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that your ability to recover damages may be affected by your percentage of fault in the accident.
To deal with these complexities effectively, you need an attorney who understands the nuances of Texas personal injury laws and can build a strong case on your behalf. Attorney Humberto Tijerina’s tenure and trial-hardened litigation skills make him a formidable advocate for car accident victims seeking justice and fair compensation in Texas.
Obtaining Evidence and Expert Testimony
To prove fault in a Texas personal injury, you will require a thorough investigation of the car accident in order to collect strong evidence. Experienced personal injury lawyers at Tijerina Legal Group, led by attorney Tijerina, utilize a variety of strategies to establish liability, including gathering witness statements, analyzing traffic camera footage, and obtaining the police report.
Additionally, expert testimony from accident reconstructionists and medical professionals can provide invaluable insights into the cause and severity of the accident. With attorney Tijerina’s legal skills and resources, you can rest assured that every avenue will be explored to strengthen your case and maximize your chances of success.
Negotiating with the Insurers to Maximize Compensation
Once fault has been established, the next step is to pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses. This typically involves negotiating with insurance companies or filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Texas personal injury lawyer Humberto Tijerina’s reputation as a skilled negotiator and trial attorney ensures that you will have a strong advocate fighting for your rights every step of the way. Whether through settlement negotiations or courtroom litigation, Mr. Tijerina and his team will work tirelessly to secure the highest possible compensation you are entitled to.
Why Timely Medical Attention and Documentation Matters to Your Car Accident Claim in Texas?
Proper and timely medical attention, along with thorough medical documentation, is a prerequisite car accident personal injury claims in Texas for several reasons:
Protecting Your Health and Well-being
Proper and timely medical attention ensures that any injuries sustained in the accident are promptly diagnosed and treated. Delaying medical care can exacerbate injuries and lead to long-term complications. By prioritizing your health, you not only enhance your chances of a full recovery but also demonstrate to insurance companies and the court that you took your injuries seriously.
Establishing Causation and Damages
Medical records serve as vital evidence in establishing the connection between the accident and your injuries. Documentation from healthcare providers can provide a clear timeline of your injuries, treatments received, and their impact on your daily life. This evidence helps demonstrate the extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Preventing Disputes and Challenges
Insurance companies in Texas look for reasons to dispute or minimize compensation in personal injury claims. Without timely medical treatment and comprehensive documentation, insurers may argue that your injuries were not severe or were caused by pre-existing conditions. Thorough medical records, diagnostic test reports, current and future treatment plans, and healthcare expert testimony can provide objective evidence of your injuries and their severity, making it harder for insurers to challenge your claim.
Maximizing Compensation
Proper medical documentation not only strengthens your case but also helps ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. By providing comprehensive records of your medical treatment and expenses, you can pursue reimbursement for past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Why Early Legal Representation Matters to Your Car Accident Personal Injury Claim in Texas?
Access to Proper Medical Care and Treatment
The dedicated car accident attorneys at Tijerina Legal Group can help you obtain the best possible medical treatment and rehabilitation services following your accident. They can refer you to trusted healthcare providers who specialize in treating accident-related injuries and work with medical experts to assess the extent of your injuries and their long-term implications. Reach out to Tijerina Legal Group if you are concerned about what to do if you have an accident with injuries.
Preservation of Evidence
With time, key evidence related to your accident can degrade, disappear, or become harder to access. Early involvement of the skilled Texas car accident lawyers at Tijerina Legal Group ensures that relevant evidence, such as accident scene photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, black box data, and vehicle damage assessments, is promptly gathered and preserved. This evidence forms the foundation of your case and can significantly strengthen your claim.
Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies often move quickly to minimize their liability and offer low settlements to accident victims. Having legal representation from the outset helps protect your rights and ensures that you are not taken advantage of by insurance adjusters. Texas personal injury attorneys at Tijerina Legal Group can handle all communications with the insurance company, strongly advocating on your behalf and safeguarding your interests.
Powerful Negotiating Leverage When Time is on Your Side
By securing legal representation early in the process, you gain a strategic advantage in negotiations with insurance companies and at-fault parties. Tijerina Legal Group lawyers can maximize the time available to thoroughly investigate the accident and build a compelling legal strategy on your behalf. Armed with a robust understanding of the facts and legal issues surrounding your claim, the attorneys can negotiate from a position of strength, pursuing a settlement that fully compensates you for your injuries, damages, and losses.
Choose Our Trusted Texas Car Accident Lawyers to Maximize Your Compensation
Don’t let the insurance companies intimidate you into settling for less than you deserve after a car accident in Texas. At Tijerina Legal Group, we are here to fight tooth and nail for every dollar you are entitled to. Our Texas car accident lawyers won’t back down until justice is served and you receive the rightful compensation for your injuries and losses. We will go to battle on your behalf and provide you with aggressive and fearless legal representation you need. To schedule your free consultation, give us a call at (956) 777-7770 or reach us online.
