What Happens After You Have Been in a Car Accident?

If you’re involved in a car accident in Texas, there are some important steps to take to improve your outcome. After all, if you didn’t cause the accident, you don’t want to be left paying bills for your medical care, car repairs, and missed wages. If you want to streamline your car accident claim and get the compensation you need, follow the steps below and then talk to a car accident lawyer for legal guidance.

Who Should You Call After a Car Crash?

As soon as you realize what’s happened, you should call the police. Getting an officer on the scene is important so you can make a police report describing how the accident occurred. This could help your car accident claim, so don’t skip this step. When you call the police, indicate if there are injuries so they can send an ambulance for you or the others in the crash. 

Next, you should call a personal injury lawyer. If you already know a lawyer you can trust and don’t need immediate medical treatment, you can call them from the scene of the accident. Otherwise, you can wait until you get home to research Texas lawyers in your city and make an appointment to meet. Even if you’re unsure if you need a lawyer, it’s helpful to talk to one to find out how they can help you.

Were You Injured?

If you suffered injuries in the accident, you need to get medical attention right away. If you’re bleeding, broke a bone, or are otherwise seriously injured, request an ambulance to the hospital. If you have minor injuries, including bruises or whiplash, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. 

Even if your injuries are minor, they could worsen over time, so you need a doctor to examine and treat you after a car accident. If you want the at-fault party to pay your medical expenses, your medical records need to show that you sought immediate treatment. This will make it clear that the injuries were indeed caused by the accident and not pre-existing, giving you a good chance of compensation. 

Was Your Car Damaged?

Once you’ve dealt with your medical needs, it’s time to consider other issues, like property damage. Whether your car was slightly damaged or totaled, you should take pictures of the damage before you even leave the accident scene, if possible. Then you should arrange to drive it or have it towed to a repair shop. In some cases, insurance companies require you to use specific repair shops, so talk to your insurance provider to find out where to go. 

Knowing the right moves to make to protect yourself after a car accident can be confusing. But you can rest assured that our injury lawyers are here to help guide you through it. Contact us at (972) 573-4532 after a car accident in Texas.