What To Do After You Are Involved In An Accident

October 16, 2019
Look around, are you in a safe location?   Are you blocking the traffic?  Are you in an area where you can be hit again? When to Move Your Vehicle The Texas Department of Transportation recommends that if you are in a collision and no one was injured, don’t wait for the police before moving your vehicle. If the car can be driven safely, Texas law requires you to move it out of the flow of traffic. If there is damage to the vehicle, stop and exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, insurance information and driver’s license information with the other driver. If you hit an unattended vehicle (a parked car), find the driver or write your name and address on a note explaining what happened – write down the license plate and take photos (was the vehicle properly parked?). You must also include the owner’s name and address if the vehicle you are driving doesn’t belong to you. Note the location of the crash and get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. If the vehicles cannot be moved, protect the scene by setting up flares or raising your hood. While most insurance companies cringe when the police report indicates that the vehicles were moved, it is your safety that should come first.   Call 911 – Call the police Call 911 and report your accident; Give the 911 operator your name, provide the year, make and model of vehicles involved; If you have reason to believe that the person who hit you was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, assure that you advise the investigating officer of same; If you believe the other driver was distracted, texting, or on the phone, be sure to let the investigating officer of those facts If you believe you sustained any type of injury request an ambulance to assure that you are evaluated by a paramedic (sometimes the shock of the accident will raise your adrenaline and despite being injured, you do not feel any immediate pain); If you are transported to the emergency room, assure that you make contact with the investigating police officer to assure that your version of the accident is included in his police report; If any person or person(s) come to your assistance and state that they witnessed the accident, make sure you get that person’s name, address, email address, and telephone number. (This may be the most important thing to remember.); and If you can have a friend or family member take pictures of the scene of the accident, debris from the accident, skid marks and the property damage of all the vehicles involved. Your Police Report should be made available to you within a few days after the accident. If the report is incorrect for some reason, a request to amend the police report can be made to the investigating officer. 18- Wheeler, Semi – Truck, Commercial Vehicle or a Company Owned Vehicle  Were you involved in an accident with an 18-Wheeler or a company-owned vehicle?  These accidents are handled differently because various investigative steps must be done […] Read more