Car Accident Checklist

The actions you take at the scene of your accident can help or hurt you later on. It may be hard to think of the future in the immediate aftermath of a crash, but if you can remember to do certain things, you can greatly improve your chances of damage recovery. Put the following checklist in your glove compartment, in case of a car accident emergency.

Stay Calm and Polite

Do not let panic get the best of you. Try your best to remain calm and levelheaded, even if you have injuries. Panicking or getting angry won’t help, and can make injuries worse. Do not yell at the other driver or threaten him/her in any way. At the same time, refrain from apologizing or admitting fault. Be polite to the other driver, and wait for police to arrive to investigate and assign fault. Never drive away from the scene of an accident until police give you permission to do so, or until you have made sure there were no injuries or property damage.

Keep Yourself Safe

Check yourself for injuries before offering assistance to others involved. If you see that you are injured, call 911 and request an ambulance immediately. If you aren’t sure if you have injuries, tell this to police. Don’t say you aren’t injured if you’re unsure. It can be difficult to prove injuries came from the accident later if you told police at the scene that you were unharmed. Move yourself and disabled vehicles safely to the side of the road, away from traffic. Help other injured parties as much as possible, but do not move them. This could make injuries worse. Make them comfortable while you wait for police.

Call the Police

If you haven’t already, call the police and report the crash. In Texas, you legally have to inform the police of a car accident if it causes injuries, death, or property damage in excess of $1,000. You must file a crash report (if the police don’t do so) within 10 days of your accident. Tell the police your side of the story. Stick to the facts – do not speculate about fault. Give a detailed description of what happened. Record the name of the responding police officer, and the number of your police report.

Gather Information

Unless you’re badly injured and have to leave the scene, stay and gather as much information as you can. Take photographs of the location of the crash, elements that may have contributed (e.g., bad weather or a hidden stop sign), damaged vehicles, and personal injuries. Write down the names of all parties involved in the crash, as well as insurance and contact information. The more information about the collision and your injuries you have, the easier the claims process will be.

Speak to a Houston Car Accident Lawyer

If another party was negligent or careless in some way that contributed to your crash, you are most likely eligible for financial recovery of your medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage. A conversation with a local Houston car accident attorney can make you aware of your legal options and possibilities for compensation. A lawyer can also help you negotiate an insurance claim settlement, or file your claim with the civil courts in pursuit of fair recovery. When in doubt, contact an attorney directly after a car accident. Keep a local lawyer’s number in your phone for instant assistance after a harmful collision.