If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in the past two years, you should speak to one of our car accident attorneys at the Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, more than 240,000 people are injured in a car accident every year and more than 3,600 die each year in these accidents. Even the most cogniscient driver is at risk because not everyone follows Texas traffic laws as diligently. At the Brandy Austin Law Firm, we strive to ensure our clients receive the best representation and the most compensation. Here are seven reminders if you are involved in a car accident in 2020:
Call the Police
The Texas Department of Transportation suggests to contact authorities if there are injuries/casualties, the vehicles cannot be moved, if one of the drivers is intoxicated, the driver does not have insurance, or the driver leaves the scene. However, it is important that the accident is reported to the police, just in case this report needs to be used later by insurance or in court. The authorities will also be able to contact medical services. If you are able to move your vehicle off the roadway, make sure to do so, as it is the law in Texas.
Document Everything
If you are in an accident, make sure to write down the other drivers’ full names, addresses, insurance information, phone numbers, license plate tags, and descriptions of each car that was part of the crash. It would also be helpful to take pictures of the vehicles and their damages. If there were any witnesses, you should take down their information as well to pass along to your insurance company. Lastly, you should write down your account of what happened, including the weather conditions, just so you will be able to recall this information later.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you do not think you need medical attention for your injuries, it is always better to be safe. There could be unknown injuries that develop later, so it is best to have the authorities call medical services or to seek it yourself. Also, this will ensure that there is a record of your injuries, which could be used at a later date if need be.
Set up an Insurance Claim
It is important to file an insurance claim as soon as possible. This way insurance can start the process of getting your car out of the tow yard and into the shop so you can get back on the road as soon as possible. The insurance claim could also be important for your car accident case.
Contact the Tow Yard
Most of the time the insurance will handle getting your car out of the tow yard and into the shop, but it is always good to go there first to grab all of your belongings. If you are injured and cannot go yourself, Texas law does allow for a representative to go in your place, but you must have a Texas VSF form. Fill this form out with your car information and your representative’s information. During this time you can also take pictures of your vehicle, just in case you forgot to do so earlier.
Make Sure to Contact a Law Firm Within TWO Years
If your injuries from the accident have caused medical bills to pile up or have caused you to lose wages, you could have a car accident case. Texas law requires that any suit must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Building a solid case takes time, so do not hesitate to contact the Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC.
Use Evidence to Prove the Other Party is Responsible
Proving that the at-fault driver was negligent could bring you closer to settling your case. If the at-fault driver was drunk, distracted, or did anything that falls short of how a reasonable person would act, then they were negligent. However, this can be difficult to prove, which is why you should contact our legal team to assist you.
The time after a car wreck can be stressful, but the Brandy Austin Law Firm is here to help alleviate some of that. As the preferred firm for car accident cases in Arlington and the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we will ensure top legal representation and the strongest case possible. To schedule a consultation, please give us a call or contact us online.
