If you were ever involved in an automobile accident, you'd want to know what to do. Sometimes accidents happen, and it is important to know what to expect. As an example, let's say you're walking down the street when all of a sudden you find yourself flying through the air. You've just been struck by a car, and as you lay sprawled across the pavement, you suddenly notice the driver's face looming overhead, apologizing and saying he's sorry. What should you do? First off, stay calm. Don't panic. If you need help, ask for it. Don't try to stand up until someone helps you. If you think you might be injured, call 911 or go to a hospital right away. Do not attempt to move the car or anything else like that. Stay put and wait for emergency services to arrive.
When an accident happens, your first priority is to stay calm. This will help you assess your situation and figure out what needs to happen next. Next, check yourself for injuries. If you're okay, then you can get out of the car and move away from the traffic. You may need to tell someone else about the accident, like a police officer or ambulance driver.
You should always call the police if you've been involved in an accident. Even if you're not injured, they may still come out to see what happened and write down your information. They also have a lot of experience dealing with accidents and injuries, so they can help you figure out what to do next.
When an accident happens, everyone should remain calm. Try to avoid getting angry at each other. If you feel like you need to speak to the driver, ask them politely what happened. Do not offer any apologies or excuses, and do not mention anything about the fault. You may want to call the police to file a report. Make sure that all parties involved can stay around long enough to complete the report. Be polite but firm. Do not apologize, even in politesse, because how you act or the things you say can become evidence against you later on.
If possible, immediately call 911 and report the incident. If not possible, then try to take photos of the scene of the crash. Try to identify the location of the crash, including street name, crosswalks, traffic lights, etc. Also, note the time of the accident, weather conditions, and other relevant details. Then, if possible, take down the license plate number of the car that hit you. If not possible, you may write down the license plate number yourself. Make sure to keep track of all of your notes about the accident. You will need them later when you file your claim with your insurance company.
Keep the clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident in its original condition. If there is anything damaged, try to get photos of it before it gets cleaned or repaired. Keep all your belongings that could help prove what happened, like a cell phone or other electronic device that got smashed.
Make sure you get checked out at the hospital if you sustained injuries during an accident. A doctor may also need to document any injuries that you had. If you were injured in a car crash, then your insurance company might ask you to submit a police report. Make sure you keep copies of all documents related to the incident and give them to your lawyer when he/she asks for them.
In the event that the driver does not have insurance, you may still be entitled to compensation through an Uninsured Motorists Coverage policy. If the driver does have insurance, ask them about the limits of their coverage. You should also seek out legal advice before signing anything. Do not settle for less than what you deserve.
It's normal to feel sad or upset when something bad happens. Try to calm down and think about what you should do next. If someone is seriously injured, stay away from them until medical personnel arrives. Make sure everyone else is safe before doing anything else. Call 911 if necessary. Tell the truth about what happened, including your name and address. Don't give out personal information like phone numbers or addresses unless asked.
If you're injured in an accident, first get medical attention. Then call your insurance company to file a claim. Afterward, talk to other drivers and pedestrians at the scene to see if they saw what happened. Document everything you can about the accident. Take photographs of the scene, including the road and surroundings. Collect contact information from witnesses. Keep all documentation safe until you need it.
In an auto-pedestrian accident involving a vehicle, call 911 immediately. Get the other party's contact info, including name, address, phone number, license plate number, insurance company name, policy number, and policy expiration date. Take down notes about what happened, and note the time and location of the accident. If the driver of a vehicle is not the owner of the vehicle, ask for his or her contact information, including name, address, and phone number. If you need to exchange insurance information, do so. Do not discuss fault or liability issues unless you've been asked specifically to do so by a lawyer.
Call your own doctor to get checked out. If you need stitches, go to the emergency room. If you think there may be broken bones or other serious injuries, call 911. Take pictures of the accident site, your injuries, damage done to your vehicle, and anything else that comes into play later if you file a personal injury claim. Get the name and contact info of any witness who saw the accident. Call your insurer if you have auto insurance.
You need to get legal representation when you've been injured due to someone else's negligence. A lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, will help you understand what happened and will advise you about whether you have a claim against the other party. If you do, then a lawyer will help you go through the claims process and file them and may also help you fight for your rights in a courtroom.