When you have been injured in a car accident, or you have property damage that is more than $1,000, the law states that a crash report must be filled out. If you do not call the police and there is no response from authorities to the scene of the accident, you must fill out this form on your own. Once you have determined that you are safe, and those around you get the medical attention they need, it’s time to start gathering information so that you can fill out the crash report correctly.
Information to Gather When You are In a Car Accident
You should exchange information with any other drivers involved in the accident. The information you gather should include full names, addresses, insurance information, phone numbers, license plate tags and descriptions of each car that was part of the crash. If there are any witnesses to the accident, you should get their names and phone numbers so that you can pass this information along to your insurance company or the authorities. You should also write down the weather conditions, and your description of what happened to cause the accident.
When You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident
Your first concern, after you’ve been hurt in a car accident, is to seek medical treatment. Determining liability for the accident will occur later. If you have been hurt, but you aren’t sure if you need medical care, it’s always important to err on the side of caution. When you seek medical care, this is the start of a medical record for the treatment of any potential injuries. This is an essential step in your process if you are going to be able to seek damages for your injuries.
Seeking Compensation for Your Personal Injury
If you are losing time out of work because of your injuries and your medical bills are piling up, it’s time to consider seeking compensation for your injuries. While your health insurance might cover most of your treatment because of the car accident, lost wages are not covered by your health insurance. When it is determined that another party is responsible for your injuries, and you are struggling financially because of it, it’s time to talk with a personal injury lawyer about your situation.
How Compensation is Determined in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
There are two types of damages in a personal injury lawsuit, pecuniary damages and non-pecuniary damages. Pecuniary damages are those damages that you can measure such as lost wages, medical bills, and car repair costs. Non-pecuniary damages are much more difficult to prove, as they are damages that are valuated by the court system. These damages are those for loss of future wages, loss of enjoyment in life, pain and suffering, and even damages to punish the plaintiff if the accident was particularly gruesome.
Compensation will depend on a number of factors, but in general, the worse you are injured in the accident, the higher a compensation may be available for injuries. This is why seeking medical treatment is necessary. You will need to prove that you are injured, and your cooperation with treatment providers will be the proof you need to show the court system you have been injured and you are trying to recuperate from your injuries.
If you have been hurt in a car accident in Texas, it’s time to speak with a personal injury attorney who can get you the compensation you deserve.