Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Can Maximize the Value of Your Claim
If you're involved in a car accident, you must adhere to certain steps and speak with an attorney as fast as possible. Your Houston lawyer can maximize the value for your claim.
Insurance companies focus on their own financial interests, but an experienced lawyer for car accidents can help you balance the odds. They can help you avoid pitfalls such as medical bills that are taken from your settlement.
What should you do following a car crash
Whether you are hurt or not, it's important to remain calm when you are at the scene of a car accident. Don't get out of your vehicle until you are certain you are safe to do so. Medical professionals must treat injured patients immediately and the police must arrive to file an official report.
Photograph or film the scene as you exit your vehicle. This will help your accident attorney in Houston determine what transpired and also prove that to the court. Take pictures of any relevant details, such as the vehicles involved and the road conditions.
Exchange information with all the parties involved in the incident. This includes their name, phone number, insurance company, and driver's licence number. You should also ask them about any witnesses that were present, and get their names and contact details. You should also get the license number if you have an driving license.
You should also write down any information you remember before your memory fades. It might be helpful note down the date and place of the accident, when it occurred, and what caused the accident. You should also note the conditions of the weather.
If you are able, it's a good idea to get as many photographs of the scene as you can, especially if there are any witnesses on the scene. You can take pictures with your cell phone or in the event that you are incapacitated, ask a friend to take the pictures for you. Make sure to take pictures in close-ups of the damage to vehicles and farther ones of the scene of the accident as a whole.
Take pictures of any skid marks or damaged guardrails in the area. It's also recommended to record any visible injuries that were sustained in the accident. Make sure to examine yourself and your passengers for any cuts or scrapes. If you are able to, take pictures of any bruises or other injuries. Be sure to get the police report. This will be useful should you be sued by the other driver.
Call the Police
Houstonians get in their cars on a daily basis and drive. Others take to the streets on foot or a bicycle. Despite obeying the rules of the road, it's just one negligent driver to cause a serious car crash. If San Bernardino accident attorneys You Tube happens, the consequences can be catastrophic. It's therefore important to know the steps to take after an accident to protect your rights and yourself.
One of the most important things you can do following a collision is to call the authorities and report the incident. This will ensure that a police officer is on the scene and make an accurate report that can be extremely valuable to insurance purposes or legal issues that may arise following the accident.
Witnesses should also be questioned. Although some witnesses may leave the scene before the arrival of a police officer It is crucial to collect eyewitness testimony as soon as possible. This will enable you to follow-up with witnesses and obtain their statements if needed.
Photograph the scene, if possible. This is a crucial step that can be done with a smartphone or digital camera. Your lawyer can make use of images of the vehicles and skid marks as well as other objects.
You should also note the names of the drivers involved as well as their license plate numbers, as well as their insurance details. Doing this will assist your lawyer in determining who is responsible for the crash. In addition it will provide evidence of any injuries suffered by other drivers or you.
Always request medical attention if necessary. Even minor injuries, such as whiplash can have a lasting impact on your health. They can also get worse as time passes. A doctor will document any injuries that you may have sustained as a result of the accident.
It's recommended to move your vehicle away from the road following a crash if safe to do so. If you can't move your vehicle, you should surround it with reflective signs. This will stop other drivers from hitting your vehicle in the near future. It will allow you to collect more damages in a personal injury lawsuit against another person.
Seek medical attention
It is important to seek medical attention as soon after the event of a car crash as soon as is possible. Whatever your opinion is about whether your injuries are serious or not, visiting a doctor will help you diagnose and treat any health issues that may have developed as a result of the collision. A medical evaluation could also be used to prove your injuries should you have to file a lawsuit or insurance claim.
In many cases, the signs of injury resulting caused by a car accident might not manifest until hours, days, or even weeks after the collision. Stress can trigger our bodies to release hormones that mask pain for a brief period of time. What appears to be an unimportant bump or ache in the immediate aftermath of a crash could turn into a debilitating condition if not treated.
If you visit a doctor after an accident in the car the doctor will perform a thorough examination and ask you several questions about how you feel prior to the, during, and following the collision. Answer honestly so that your doctor can accurately assess the extent of your injuries.
If your injuries do not pose a life-threatening threat you can select between an emergency room in an urgent care facility. Both can provide you with the medical treatment you require and provide you with the evidence of your injuries for an insurance claim or legal proceeding, though the latter option might be less expensive.
Some people are hesitant to seek medical attention because they believe that their injuries will go away by themselves or that their injuries are caused by something else other than the accident. But, not seeking medical treatment can have adverse consequences for your health as well as your ability to obtain compensation for the damages you suffered.
Avoid discussing the incident to anyone, including the other driver. What you say could be used against you in court or when negotiating the terms of a settlement. It's an excellent idea to take photographs of the scene of the collision and any injuries you may have suffered, as well keeping copies of your medical bills, repair estimates and receipts, invoices as well as pay stubs and income statements for expenses that resulted from the crash.
Contact an attorney
If you have been injured in a crash or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, a Houston lawyer for car accidents can help. You may be entitled to significant compensation for injuries as well as medical expenses.
Find an attorney with experience in representing victims of auto accidents who can examine your case. Attorneys can be found through asking your family and friends or searching on the internet, or by contacting your local bar association. Once you have found some potential candidates, you can schedule a consultation to discuss your situation and then make a decision.
Injuries resulting from a car accident can be devastating. It is important to seek out a lawyer as quickly as you can. A good lawyer will evaluate your case and assist in submitting a claim to the insurance company of the negligent party. They can also represent your case in court, should you need to.
A Houston lawyer with experience will know what to search in the police report and other evidence. They will also know how to calculate your damages which include future medical bills, all forms of income loss, as well as damage to your vehicle as well as other property. They will be able negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf, and push for fair compensation.
Insurance companies often act in bad faith, which could include offering low-ball prices or refusing to settle a valid claim. An attorney can act as your advocate and advisor to ensure that you are not taken advantage of.
In addition an attorney can help you obtain non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. This can be difficult to prove, however an experienced lawyer can make an accurate medical assessment of your injuries to present a convincing case, possibly leading to a higher settlement.
An experienced Houston lawyer for car accidents can provide you with the help and peace of mind that you need after a crash. To speak to a lawyer about your case, call the Smith & Hassler firm. They have over 30 years of experience achieving results for their clients and are ready to take on your case.