Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Can Maximize the Value of Your Claim
If you're in a car accident, it's important to take certain steps and talk with an attorney as fast as you can. Your Houston car accident lawyer can help maximize the value of your claim.
Insurance companies focus on their own financial interests, however an experienced car crash attorney is able to balance the playing field. They can help you avoid problems like medical bills that are deducted from your settlement.
What to do after a Car Crash
It is important to stay calm after an accident, whether you're injured or not. It is not advisable to leave your vehicle unless it is safe. Medical professionals must treat injured patients immediately and the police must arrive to complete an official report.
Take pictures or videos of the scene as you exit your vehicle. This will help your accident attorney in houston determine what happened and then prove that to the court. Photograph any relevant information, including the vehicles involved and the road conditions.
Exchange information with all those involved in the accident. This includes getting their name, number, insurance company and driver's license number. You should also ask about witnesses and get their name and contact information. You should also obtain the license number if you have an driving license.
It's recommended to record all the information you can remember before your memory begins to fade. You might want to record the date and location of the accident, when it occurred, or what caused the accident. You should also note the conditions for the weather.
It is a good thing to take as many photos as you can of the scene, particularly when there are witnesses. 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 do so for you. Try to take close-up shots of the damage caused by the car as well as distant shots of the scene.
Take pictures of any damaged guardrails, skids or trees that you spot. You should also take pictures of any visible injuries sustained during the accident. Examine yourself and your passengers for cuts or scrapes. You can also take pictures of any bruises and other injuries. Be sure to get the police report. This will be helpful should you be sued by the other driver.
Contact the Police
Everyday, people across Houston take their automobiles and drive. Some choose to walk or ride a bike on the streets. Even if you follow the rules of the road one driver's negligence can lead to a serious accident. If this happens, the consequences could be devastating. As a result it is crucial to know the steps you need to take right away following an accident to protect yourself and your rights.
One of the most important things to do following an accident is to contact the authorities and report the crash. This will ensure a police officer will visit the scene and make an accurate report that will be valuable for insurance purposes or legal issues that could arise after the crash.
Witnesses should also be questioned. It's important to collect eyewitness accounts immediately, even if people leave the scene before an officer arrives. This will allow your lawyer to follow up on the witnesses and secure their testimony in the future, in the event of a need.
If possible, photograph the scene. This is an important step, and can be accomplished using a mobile phone or digital camera. Photographs of the skid marks, vehicles and other items will provide valuable evidence for your attorney.
Note the names, license plates, and insurance details of all drivers involved. This will help your attorney determine who was at fault for the accident. In addition it will provide evidence of any injuries caused by other drivers or you.
Always request medical attention if necessary. Even minor injuries like whiplash can have a long-lasting impact on your health. They can also get worse as time passes. A doctor will document any injuries that you may have suffered in the accident.
If it is safe, you must remove your vehicle from the road following an accident. If you aren't able to move your vehicle, make sure to surround it with reflective signs. This will prevent other drivers from hitting you vehicle in the future, and it can also help you collect more compensation in a claim for injury against an uninvolved third party.
Get Medical Attention
If you were involved in a car accident it is imperative to get medical attention as soon as you can. Whatever the severity you think your injuries could be an appointment with a doctor can help you identify any conditions that have developed as a result of the accident. Furthermore medical evaluations will be used as evidence of your injuries in the event that you need to submit an insurance claim or lawsuit.
In many cases, the signs of injuries from a car crash may not show up for days, hours, or weeks following the accident. Stress can cause our bodies to release hormones that cover up the pain for a short period of time. If left untreated what might appear to be a minor bump in the aftermath of a car accident could turn into a serious disease.
You will be asked a series questions by your doctor regarding your feelings prior to and after an accident. Answer honestly so that your doctor can assess the extent of your injuries.
If your injuries aren't life-threatening, you can decide between going to an emergency room at a hospital or to an urgent care facility. Both can provide you with the medical treatment you require and provide the evidence of your injuries for an legal or insurance claim however the latter may be less costly.
Some people do not seek medical attention because they think that their injuries will go away by themselves, or that the injury was caused by something other than an accident. In the absence of seeking medical attention, it could have adverse consequences for your health and your ability to get compensation for any damages.
It's also important to refrain from discussing the crash with anyone, even the other driver, because anything you say can be used against you in court or in negotiations for settlement. It's important to take photographs of the scene of the collision and any injuries you may have suffered, as as keep copies of your medical bills and repair estimates, invoices, receipts pay stubs, pay stubs, and income statements for the expenses caused by the crash.
Contact an attorney
If you've been injured in a car crash or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, the services of a Houston lawyer for car accidents can help. You may be entitled to significant compensation for medical costs and other damages.
The first step is to locate an attorney with experience in representing victims of car accidents and can evaluate your case. You can find attorneys by asking family and friends as well as searching on the internet or contacting your local bar association. Once you have found several candidates, set up a consultation to discuss your case and make a decision.
The injuries from car accidents can be catastrophic, and it is crucial to contact an attorney immediately following the accident. A good lawyer can evaluate your case and help you file a claim with the negligent party's insurance company. They can also represent your case in court, if needed.
An experienced Houston car accident lawyer will know what to look for in the police report as well as other evidence. They also be able to calculate damages, such as future medical bills, lost income in all forms, and damages to the vehicle and other property. They will be in a position to negotiate with the insurance company for you and advocate for fair compensation.
Insurance companies are often in bad faith offering low-ball prices and refusing to pay a valid claim. An attorney can be your adviser and advocate to ensure that you don't get ripped off.
A lawyer can also assist you to obtain non-economic damages, such as discomfort and pain. It isn't easy to prove this, but an experienced attorney can use a medical assessment to argue convincingly that could result in a larger settlement.
A Houston lawyer for car accidents will give you peace of mind and assistance you require following a crash. To speak with YouTube about your case, contact the Smith & Hassler firm. They have more than 30 years of experience achieving results for their clients and are ready to accept your case.