Thousands of car accidents occur in Laredo, Texas and surrounding areas every year. Knowing what to do if you are involved in one of them can help protect your health and your right to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, including your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Keep this checklist handy in case you are involved in a car accident in Laredo, TX and need to know the steps you need to take.
Pull Over
Texas law requires anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident that likely involves injury to someone “immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision or as close to the scene as possible” while not obstructing traffic as much as possible. It is a crime to leave the scene of an accident without providing information and rendering aid.
Pull your vehicle over to a nearby safe spot. Activate your hazard lights. Put up flares or traffic cones around the accident scene if you have them.
Report the Accident
You are required to report any motor vehicle accident if anyone was injured or killed, the vehicles cannot be moved, or if there is property damage in excess of $1,000. While you have a ten-day window to report the accident, it is in your best interest to report it immediately so that an officer can respond to the scene. The report they prepare can be valuable for your insurance claim.
Seek Medical Attention
If you were injured in the accident, seek immediate medical attention. Let the paramedics take you to the emergency room.
Sometimes, accident victims may not realize they were hurt in the accident until hours or days later. If this happens, seek immediate medical attention after you notice injuries or symptoms.
Exchange Information
Texas law requires people involved in a car accident to give certain information and render aid. Ask the other driver for the following details:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Registration number
- Insurance provider name, phone number, and policy number
- Driver’s license number
If the driver appeared to be working at the time of the accident, request this information for their employer.
Talk to Witnesses
If any witnesses stopped at the scene of the accident, ask for their names and contact information. Also, note any nearby traffic or surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident.
Take Pictures
If possible, use your cell phone to take pictures of the following:
- Wide shots and close-ups of the accident scene
- Damage to both vehicles
- Nearby street signs
- Traffic signals and signs
- Road and weather conditions
- Your injuries
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Knowing what to do next can be difficult. At Gonzalez Druker Law Firm, we have over 45 years of handling car accident claims. We can guide you through the claims process and seek the compensation you deserve. We have already recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our deserving clients, and we want to help you, too. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling us at (956) 728-9191.