Steps To Take After A Car Accident In San Antonio
Car accidents are very traumatic events and afterward, you may not have the presence of mind or clarity to know the immediate steps to take. If you incurred serious injuries during the crash, you may be left unable to work for many weeks, and you may also be left with many hospital bills you cannot pay.
If another driver’s negligent actions caused the accident, you can file a claim against them to obtain compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. To ensure you receive maximum compensation and a full and fair settlement, our San Antonio car accident lawyer explains the most important steps to take below.
Check for Injuries
The very first thing to do after any car accident is to pull over to a safe place and check for injuries. Check yourself first to make sure you are not seriously injured, and then ask all passengers in your vehicle if they are hurt. Once you have ensured the safety of you and your occupants, ask anyone else involved if they were injured. If there are serious injuries, call an ambulance to the scene so you and anyone else can receive the prompt medical treatment you need.
Seek Medical Treatment Afterward
After paramedics are called to the scene, they may recommend that you obtain further medical treatment. It is important that you follow through with this recommendation. If an ambulance was not called to the scene, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not only is this critical to ensure your injuries do not become worse, but it will also document your injuries as being caused by the accident, which will make them easier to prove when filing a claim.
Report the Accident
Under Texas law, you are required to report any car accident that results in injury, death, or if the accident causes property damage over $1,000.00. Even if you do not believe those conditions apply, it is critical that you report the crash. You may have sustained injuries that will not be apparent for weeks. Calling police to the scene will result in a police report being filed, which may indicate the party who was at fault, identify the driver and his address, and provide further evidence for your claim.
Note Important Details at the Scene
Some of the strongest evidence will be at the scene of the crash. Write down as many notes as you can about the traffic signs and signals that were in use at the time, the description of the other vehicles involved, and the name and contact information of any eyewitnesses. Also write down the names, contact information, and insurance policy number of any other driver involved and be sure to give them yours.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer in San Antonio
When filing a claim to recover compensation, you need sound legal advice. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio car accident lawyer can provide it so you can recover the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more.
Sources:
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.550.htm
law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
