Car accidents, even those that are seemingly minor, can be traumatic and stressful experiences. You may not understand what to do next or how to protect your best interests. You may also not know that you have certain rights after a crash. This is particularly true if you were not at fault for the accident. 

It is critical to protect your rights after any crash. Knowing the steps to take can help protect your rights, strengthen any personal injury claim you file afterward, and help you claim the full compensation you are entitled to. A Houston personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights after a car accident.

The Right to Remain Silent

Many people associate the right to remain silent with individuals who have been accused of a crime. While alleged offenders have the right to remain silent, accident victims do, as well. It is important that you exercise this right after any crash. You are required to exchange your contact information and insurance details with all other drivers involved in the accident. However, you should not provide any further details than this. 

Do not admit fault, talk about your injuries, or say anything more than necessary after an accident. In the future, your words could be taken out of context and used against you to show that you caused the accident, even if you did not. Before speaking to anyone, including the insurance company, or signing anything, always contact an attorney.

The Right to Contact Police

In Texas, you are required to report any auto accident to the police immediately if it resulted in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Even if your crash does not meet any of these thresholds, it is still a good idea to call the police so they can visit the scene.

A police report will include the officer’s assessment of the accident scene and it may even indicate admissions of fault by other drivers involved. When filing a claim, the police report is often a useful piece of evidence.

The Right to Document the Crash Scene

You also have the right to document the scene of the crash. This means you can take photos and video footage of the entire crash scene, your injuries, closeups of the damage to any vehicles involved, and pertinent details such as skid marks on the road or a stop sign the other driver ran through. 

You also have the right to locate any witnesses who saw the accident occur and ask them for their names and contact information. Eyewitness statements provide valuable evidence, particularly when there is a dispute regarding who caused the accident or the extent of the injuries involved. Obtaining their information at the scene is critical so your Houston personal injury lawyer can contact them in the future.

The Right to Medical Attention

Protecting your health and well-being is the main priority after any accident. If you were hurt in the crash, you have the right to seek medical treatment for your injuries, and it is critical that you do. This will ensure that your injuries do not become worse. It will also provide medical documentation that proves the nature and extent of your injuries. This also provides strong evidence that can prove your claim, so you obtain the full and fair compensation you are entitled to.

Even if you do not believe that you were hurt during an accident, it is still recommended that you seek medical attention as soon as possible afterward. Many injuries are hidden, meaning that they do not show symptoms right away. Concussions and whiplash are two very common types of hidden injuries. A doctor can examine you and detect these injuries so you obtain the medical treatment you need.

Lastly, if you do not seek medical attention after a car accident, the insurance company will use this against you. They will argue that you could not have been injured as severely as you claimed because you did not see a doctor.

The Right to an Attorney

You also have the right to an attorney after a car accident. Many people think they do not need an attorney because the insurance company will provide them with the compensation they need. Unfortunately, this is not usually true. 

Insurance companies are more interested in protecting their own profits than in paying accident victims the compensation they need to recover. They use many strategies to deny accident victims full damages. For example, they may ask you for a recorded statement so they can use your words against you. Or, they may ask you to sign a medical release so they can look through your medical records for a pre-existing condition they can blame for your injuries instead of the crash.

An attorney will know the tactics insurance companies use and how to combat them. Additionally, studies have shown that accident victims who have legal representation obtain three times the amount of compensation as accident victims who are not represented by a lawyer.

The Right to Compensation

If another driver caused your accident, you should not have to pay for your medical bills out of your own pocket. You also should not have to suffer because you cannot return to work to earn a living. You will also suffer a great deal of pain and suffering, and may not be able to perform the daily tasks you once did, or enjoy the hobbies and activities you once loved. These are all losses you should not have to suffer due to another person’s negligence.

Under Texas law, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover the damages you have suffered. A lawyer can accurately value your claim and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf so you obtain the full compensation you deserve.

Call Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston for Help with Your Case

After a car accident, our Houston personal injury lawyer at Integrity Law Group, PLLC, can advise you of your rights and ensure they are upheld so you obtain the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us now at (832) 280-8874 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get the legal help you need.

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