Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Can Maximize the Value of Your Claim
It is essential to talk to an attorney as soon possible following a car accident. Your Houston lawyer for car accidents can maximize the value of your claim.
Insurance companies are focused on their own financial interests, but an experienced lawyer for car accidents balances the playing field. They can assist you to avoid issues such as medical bills that are taken from your settlement.
What to Do After a Car Crash
Whether you are hurt or not, it is important to remain calm when you are at the scene of a car wreck. It is not advisable to leave your car unless it is safe. People injured need to be treated by medical professionals right away and the police must arrive to complete an official report.
After you've left your vehicle, try to capture photos or videos of the scene. This will assist your accident attorney in Houston determine what transpired and prove it to the court. It's also a good idea to take photos of the cars involved as well as the condition of the road and any other relevant details.
While you're there, exchange information with everyone involved in the accident. This includes their name, phone number of insurance company, as well as driver's licence number. Also, you should inquire about witnesses and ask for their name and contact information. If they have an driver's license, make sure to obtain the license plate number, too.
It's an excellent idea to note down all the details you can recall before your memory begins to fade. This could include details of how the crash occurred when, the time and where the accident occurred. It is also important to note the weather conditions.
It is beneficial to capture as many pictures as you can of the scene, especially if you have witnesses present. You can use your mobile phone to take these photos, or if you are disabled after the accident, ask a person who witnessed the incident to take the pictures for you. Make sure to take pictures in close-ups of the damage to the vehicles and farther ones of the accident scene as the whole.
Be sure to take pictures of any skid marks, damaged guardrails or trees in the area. Also, you should take pictures of any visible injuries sustained in the accident. Check yourself and your passengers for scrapes or cuts. Also, take photos of any bruises or other injuries. Be More Tips to get the police report. This can be helpful later if the other driver sues you over the accident.
Call the Police
Houstonians sit in their cars each day and drive. Some choose to take a walk or ride a bicycle on the streets. Despite obeying the rules of the road, it only takes one driver who is negligent to cause a serious car accident. The consequences can be devastating. As a result it's crucial to know what steps to take immediately after an accident to ensure your safety and your rights.
One of the most important actions you can do following a crash is to call the police and report the crash. This will ensure that a police officer visits the scene and writes an extensive police report, which can be valuable for insurance purposes or any legal issues that may arise following the crash.
Witnesses should also be questioned. It is important to get eyewitness accounts immediately, even if some witnesses leave the scene before an officer arrives. This will allow your lawyer to follow up with the witnesses and secure their testimony should it be required.
Photograph the scene, if possible. This is an essential step that is easily accomplished with a digital camera or mobile phone. Photographs of the vehicles, skid marks, and other objects will be a valuable source of evidence for your attorney.
Note the names of the license plates, names, and insurance details of all the drivers involved. This will help your lawyer determine who was at fault for the incident. It will also prove any injuries you or other drivers might have suffered.
You should always seek medical attention if you need to. Even minor injuries like whiplash can have a long-lasting impact on your health. They can also become worse as time passes. A doctor will document any injuries that you may have suffered in the accident.
If it's safe, move your vehicle off the road after a collision. If you are unable to move your vehicle, you should surround it with reflective signs. This will prevent other drivers from crashing into your vehicle in the future and will help you secure additional damages in a personal injury claim against another person.
Get Medical Attention
If you've been in a car accident, it's crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as you can. No matter if you believe your injuries are serious or not, visiting a doctor will help you identify and treat any conditions that might have developed as a result of the crash. In addition an evaluation by a doctor can be used as proof of your injuries should you have to submit an insurance claim or lawsuit.
In many instances, the symptoms of injuries resulting from the crash of a car may not show up for days, hours or even weeks following the accident. This is because our bodies respond to stress by releasing hormones which can disguise pain for a short period of time. If left untreated, what may seem like an insignificant bump in the aftermath of a car crash can become a debilitating illness.
You will be asked a series of questions by the doctor about your feelings before and after an accident. Make sure you answer honestly so that your doctor can provide the most accurate evaluation of your injuries.
If your injuries do not constitute a threat to your life, you can choose between an emergency room at a hospital or an urgent care facility. Both of them can provide necessary medical care and will provide you with documentation of your injuries for an legal or insurance claim however the latter may be less costly.
Some people are reluctant to seek medical attention because they believe that their injuries will go away by themselves or that their injuries were caused by something apart from the accident. Neglecting to seek medical attention can have negative consequences for your health as well as your ability to receive compensation for damages.
It's also essential to refrain from discussing the crash with anyone, not even the other driver, since everything you say could be used against you in court or during negotiations for settlement. Take photos of the scene of the accident and any injuries you might have sustained. Keep copies of all medical bills, repair estimates and invoices.
Contact an attorney
A Houston car accident lawyer can help if you've been injured or lost a loved in a fatal accident. You could be entitled to substantial compensation for injuries, medical costs and other damages.
Find an attorney who has experience in representing victims of auto accidents to examine your case. You can find attorneys through asking your family and friends or searching on the internet, or contacting your local bar association. Once you've found a few candidates to interview, set up a consultation so that you can discuss your case.
The injuries from car accidents can be catastrophic, and it is essential to seek a lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. A good lawyer will evaluate your case and assist you in submitting a claim to the insurance company of the responsible party. They can also represent your case in court, should you need to.
A Houston car accident attorney who has experience will know what to look out for in the police report, as well as other evidence. They also know how to calculate damages including future medical bills as well as lost income in all forms and the damage to the vehicle and other property. They will be able to negotiate with the insurance company for you and advocate for fair compensation.
Insurance companies are often in bad faith making low-ball offers and refusing to settle a valid claim. An attorney can serve as your advocate and adviser, ensuring that you are not taken advantage of.
Additionally an attorney can help you get compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. It isn't easy to prove this, but an experienced attorney can use a medical assessment to argue convincingly, which could lead to a higher settlement.
A Houston lawyer for car accidents will give you peace of mind and help you require following a collision. To speak with a lawyer about your case, call the Smith & Hassler firm. They have more than 30 years of experience getting results for clients and are prepared to take on your case.