The Importance of Investigating the Scene of an Accident in Texas: Insights from a Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer

When you are involved in an automobile accident in the state of Texas, there are crucial measures that you should take to ensure that everyone involved is safe, comply with the laws of Texas, and begin filing an insurance claim correctly.

It is a frightening experience to be involved in an accident; therefore, it is essential to educate yourself to protect your rights if such an incident occurs. For instance, investigating the scene of an accident is paramount, particularly because the initial steps you take often hinge on your future chances of success in a personal injury claim.

Remaining at the Scene of a Texas Collision

If there is property damage to the cars or if someone was injured, you are required by Texas law to remain at the site of the collision. Hit-and-runs are unlawful and have serious criminal consequences in our state, which may seem apparent.

In other words, you must remain at a crash scene in Texas until the police come to ensure your safety. You may be hurt and not know it; being checked out by paramedics at the site is a good idea, even if you're experiencing minor pain.

Moving Vehicles at a Crash Scene in Texas

Moving your vehicles (and any victims!) out of harm's way is vital. Relocate your car to a safe spot if it is in a precarious position that may cause greater danger to you or others on the roadway. Move all vehicles after an accident over to an emergency lane or a neighboring parking lot. Once you've accomplished this with complete assurance, you should double-check that everyone involved in the accident is safe.

First, ensure everyone in your car is okay, then see whether the other driver needs help. If you have any infants or young children with you, make sure they can move about normally without showing signs of distress. Before receiving professional medical help, you may be the only one to provide first aid or avert further harm.

Before the arrival of law enforcement, it is in everyone's best interest to have the parties involved exchange insurance information. This conversation is mandated by Texas law and must occur at the accident scene. Don't assume the cops will get this information later; they may not. Move quickly. You may have to wait 7–10 business days after the Crash Report is released (even if the investigating officer has the contact information of each driver) before you may use it. You should photograph the other driver's license and insurance card if possible.

Requesting drivers' car registration details is an alternative to requesting their auto insurance details if such data is unavailable. Record the car's model and year, the license plate numbers, and any other identifying information you may find.

Calling the Police After an Auto Accident

Call the police at the emergency number. Expecting the other motorist to report it is risky. To protect yourself and others, you should always contact the police, even if the other party tries to convince you otherwise. This includes bringing up the other person's insurance premiums, their driving record, or the absence of visible damage to the vehicles.

The officer who arrives at the scene will complete a Texas crash report containing all parties' names, addresses, and phone numbers. Based on his findings, the officer will also determine what led to the collision and who is to blame. The police officer's issuance of traffic tickets will aid an attorney in pursuing compensation for the accident victims.

Getting Medical Treatment After a Car Crash

After a car collision, anybody experiencing pain or unusual feelings should call for an ambulance to the hospital immediately, even if it's only a headache or dizziness. Getting to an emergency hospital quickly after a vehicle crash in Texas is essential for being checked out and treated for injuries. Some potentially fatal injuries, including internal bleeding, bone fractures, and crash-related concussions, may not show up immediately but may be identified in the first phase of a trauma examination.

In addition, the medical documents connected to your claim describe the mechanism of harm and provide evidence of your complaints, both of which assist in proving your entitlement to compensation. Don't eliminate any paperwork related to your time in the hospital or the ER; your lawyer will want to go through it once you've been released.

Don't say anything about what occurred or who was at fault, even if you believe the accident was your fault. Doing what seems "right" now might have serious consequences for your case. Acquire the appropriate facts and let the courts or insurance companies make the necessary conclusions about who is responsible.

Exchanging Driver Information at an Accident Site

If you feel it is safe to do so, write down your observations at the scene immediately so you don't forget anything. You should not risk losing your claim to a settlement or reward by forgetting essential evidence. Open a new memo on your phone with a voice recording to jot down thoughts quickly and easily.

You may even capture personal footage of the aftermath if you want. Tire tread traces, shattered glass, inflated airbags, and any corroborating evidence should be photographed alongside the location of the automobiles. There is limited space for subsequent interpretation with video recordings. A video taken at the site of an accident might be useful to the responding police officer if one of the parties involved is visibly inebriated or under the influence of drugs.

From there, tell your insurance company about the accident immediately. Even if your injuries are minor at the time, you should report them to the claims adjuster or manager. Having your vehicle examined and repaired as soon as you record the claim or waiting until the other driver's insurance company acknowledges culpability is your choice if your policy covers automobile collisions.

Call the Dallas Accident Lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm

Car accidents have significantly influenced our state's population, measured in the tens of thousands. Although some victims have relatively minor injuries, others suffer impairments that render them permanently unable to hold gainful employment.

Dallas car accident lawyer should be consulted after a serious crash. Whether you need financial aid for up-and-coming expenses, you should see whether you qualify for compensation.

At the Rasansky Law Firm, we proudly represent anyone hurt in car accidents caused by other people's carelessness. The counsel of our highly skilled and well-respected lawyers has proven invaluable to our clients. We are prepared to investigate the accident and gather information to assess your legal alternatives.

If you've been harmed in a vehicle accident in Texas and want to discuss your legal options, please call us at 214-617-1816 for a free consultation.