7 Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident in Texas
Car accidents can be devastating, resulting in damage, injuries, and even fatalities. However, the situation can be exacerbated for victims who fail to secure the compensation they deserve or inadvertently worsen their circumstances by making common mistakes. In this article, we will discuss eight pitfalls to avoid if you find yourself involved in a car accident in Texas.
Not Getting Out of the Road
Although police sometimes say vehicles should stay where they end up following a car accident for documentation purposes, that does not mean you have to sit in it or stand on the road. If you can, you should get out of the vehicle and stand by the side of the road until the police and medical professionals arrive.
If the vehicle can move, you should try to get it out of the road or place road cones around it to indicate the scene of an accident. Doing this can reduce the possibility of additional crashes that would make it difficult to determine the extent of the primary damage. If there is no way to do this, it would be challenging to know how much damage to attribute to either crash.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
If you can, you should call 911 as soon as you are involved in an accident. Once you do so, the operator will call the police and emergency services to attend to you at the scene of the accident. Let the medical emergency workers provide you with all the treatment they deem necessary. You should also allow them to look you over to determine if you have internal injuries or ones you cannot feel.
Next, visit the hospital as soon as you can. Doing this will help start the documentation process that will provide your vehicle accident lawyer with the evidence they need to build a strong case for you. The documentation will also prove that all your injuries are a result of the accident and nothing else.
Not Hiring an Attorney Immediately
Another of the most common mistakes to avoid after a car accident in Texas is not contacting and hiring a car accident lawyer Texas as soon as you are involved in a car accident or as soon as you can. Doing this is crucial for several reasons, the most important being to avoid making yourself liable. Remember that the other party will try to blame you so they are not deemed liable for the accident, so they will use anything you say to show you admitted liability.
A car accident injury lawyer will guide you on what to say and do so you can prevent this from happening.
The second reason is that they will guide you on what evidence to collect if you can. They will tell you how to take photographs and videos, talk to eyewitnesses, and document the scene of the accident. Remember that you do not have to do this if you are too injured; you can always ask someone you trust to do it for you.
Lastly, they will start building your case as soon as possible. Remember that the more time a road accident attorney has to build a case, the stronger they can make it. Give them enough time by hiring them as soon as possible.
Leaving the Scene of the Accident
You should never leave the scene of the accident because that is considered a hit and run, and you might be liable for all damages that occur. Instead, wait patiently for the police to arrive to give your statement.
The one circumstance where you may do this is if you have life-threatening injuries and need to go to the emergency room. In that case, your attorney will be responsible for putting together the case by gathering evidence and talking to eyewitnesses. Ensure the car accident attorney Texas you hire can do this for you so they can ensure the best outcome.
Talking to the Other Driver
You should avoid talking to the other driver unless it is to exchange insurance and other details. The reason is that it is very easy to admit liability without meaning to if you accidentally say too much. If your words can be used to show you are liable, it becomes impossible to get a settlement or compensation for your injuries or damages.
Not Negotiating Your Settlement
If the other person’s insurance provider deems their client liable, they will want to avoid court and will likely send you or your attorney an initial settlement offer. Insurance companies try to pay as little as possible in case of accidents, so you can expect the initial settlement offer to be low.
However, you do not have to accept this amount and can negotiate it with the help of your attorney. If you have strong evidence, eyewitness testimonies, and police reports showing the other party was liable, you can get a bigger settlement offer.
It would also be helpful if your attorney is willing to proceed with the lawsuit once they file it. Insurance companies and attorneys are more likely to accept the negotiated terms if they think the final judgment will be unfavorable to them.
Not Collecting Enough Evidence
The strength of your evidence is the most important determinant of how much your case is worth and what you can get in a settlement offer or compensation. Collect all relevant evidence and organize it in a digestible format to make it easier for your road accident lawyer to use it in your case.
Also, ask the attorney if they can hire experts on your behalf. Many of them hire expert witnesses and others who can explain the accident to a jury so they can understand what happened. All of these will strengthen your case and give you a better outcome.
If you want to get compensated and for everything to go your way following a car accident, you should avoid the mistakes outlined above. Crucially, you should hire the best car accident attorneys to represent you, file a lawsuit, and negotiate on your behalf during settlement talks. Contact the attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys today.
