Being involved in a car accident can be scary, and it is hard to know what you should and should not do. At Lopez Franco, we help people injured in car accidents in Houston and throughout Texas recover the compensation they deserve. The following are a few tips to help you through this harrowing time.
Seek Medical Care & Get To Safety
The first thing to do if you have been in a car accident is to seek medical care for yourself and others who have been injured. Call 911 and move to a safe place to ensure no further injuries. When medical care professionals arrive, follow their advice and be sure to follow up with any additional care that is needed. This may include being admitted to the hospital or making additional physician appointments.
Report the Accident
If you have called 911 for injuries, law enforcement should also arrive. When they do, answer any questions you are asked and tell them what happened. The responding officer should then place this information in an accident report. You will need to obtain a copy of this report for your records. If the accident occurred while you were at work, you will need to notify your company’s human resource department and obtain a copy of their report as well.
Also, remember to keep your communication with other drivers to a minimum and do not at any time admit any wrongdoing. You are required by law to provide certain information, including your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You also need to exchange insurance information and your driver’s license number when requested.
Do Not Speak to the Insurance Companies
If you are not at fault, it is never recommended you speak to the insurance without the guidance of a personal injury attorney. Regardless of whether it’s your insurance or the at fault person’s insurance, they are not your friends. These insurance companies will behave in a friendly and cordial manner as long as you go along with their questions and demands. In reality, they only care about one thing: Closing your case with you as quickly as possible for as cheap as possible. Neither your own insurance or the other insurance care about your best interests. Don’t let them fool you that they do. The sooner you reach out to personal injury attorney at Lopez Franco the sooner you can start focusing on what matters: Your physical recovery and wellbeing.
Document the Accident
Once you can safely do so, take pictures and/or video of the accident scene. This can include obtaining the names and contact information of witnesses as well as finding out if any security cameras happened to capture the accident when it occurred. Retain copies of all medical documentation and any other documentation related to the accident from any source.
Stay Off Social Media
A mistake too many people make after an accident is posting on social media. Posting anything about the accident on any social media account is not a good idea. It is often beneficial to refrain from posting anything on social media, even if it is unrelated to the accident. Too often,
Insurance companies use an innocent post you make as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim and, therefore, not entitled to the compensation you seek.
Speak With A Houston Personal Injury Attorney At Lopez Franco
If you or a loved one has been injured by another in a car accident, please contact Lopez Franco to schedule a free and immediate consultation with a Houston personal injury attorney. We are dedicated legal professionals, and we are dedicated to assisting persons who have been injured through no fault of their own to recover the compensation they deserve.