There is no one on earth who would want to experience a car crash. One minute, you are on the road with your favorite music or podcast on, and suddenly, your trip takes a negative turn. All you can remember was your life flashing before your eyes and the sound of your screeching wheels as you stepped on the brake pedal.
Vehicle accidents can be traumatizing and painful. If you have severe injuries, you might end up not getting back to the normal life you had before the crash. Fortunately, experiencing this situation might not be as grave as it should be, especially if the crash was caused by negligence or other factors.
What Steps Should You Take When Involved In An Accident?
Irrespective of your degree of injury, there are some steps you should consider if you find yourself in an unpleasant situation—in this case, an accident. Take the below steps as soon as you can:
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Find a secure location
If you are still conscious and can move around, and if your car is not severely wrecked, you can drive to a safe spot away from the flow of traffic. That way, you will prevent additional accidents from happening from unobservant drivers. However, if your car is wrecked, turn on the hazard lights and find a safe spot to sit by the roadside.
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Do not leave the accident scene.
Texas’ Transportation Code § 550.021 demands that car accident victims not leave the accident scene, even if there are no major injuries. Why should you not leave the scene? If you leave, it will be concluded that you are a hit-and-run driver, and eventually, you might end up facing severe penalties under Texas’ policies.
Staying at the scene shows how accountable you are. That way, you will have a balanced report, allowing you to document the accident scene.
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Dial 911
Making an emergency call is vital, whether it is a major crash or a fender-bender. In Texas, for instance, it is legally required that you inform the police immediately after a crash so that the available officers can have a balanced report. However, if there are no available police officers, search for the closest police station so that you can make the report yourself.
Also, you can request a copy of your report. That will help in your claim process.
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Document the accident if you are strong enough
To protect yourself, consider the steps below:
Take pictures
Take pictures of the accident scene from diverse angles. There is no required number of pictures to take, so you are free to take as many as you can. Do not take pictures of your vehicle alone; include images of other vehicles involved, including their license plates.
Know the officer’s identity.
Ensure you get the available officer’s badge numbers and names.
Document names
Document the addresses and names of the parties involved in the crash, including any passengers that were present. Also, if there are witnesses, write down their contact information and names.
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Consult a Texas accident attorney.
Immediately after calling for help and documenting enough evidence, call your lawyer if you have one already. If not, get one as soon as you can. Texas accident attorneys are committed to protecting car accident victims and maximizing their chances of fair compensation.
Bottom Line
In Texas, regarding personal injury claims, the statute of limitations is two years, and that starts counting from the accident date. Now, these years might seem like a long time. “Unfortunately, the longer you delay in making your claim, the lesser the prospects of getting a settlement,” says personal injury attorney Felix Gonzalez of Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm.
