At Roxell Richards and Associates, we believe that Your Rights Matter.

After any car accident, it is important to take the correct actions to protect yourself against reckless drivers and greedy big insurance companies. If you are ever in a car accident, you need to be able to do specific actions to ensure you will have a fighting chance and that insurance companies do not deny your claim.

Of course, road accidents such as truck accidents, rideshare accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and car rollover accidents can be quite scary, chaotic, and confusing. Being in a car accident is very traumatic, and it could be a very terrifying experience for you and for the other occupants in the car. Unfortunately, there are so many things that need to be done when one has been involved in a car accident. But due to the shock of the incident, it is very much understandable if you are unable to think clearly.

Properly attending to a car accident requires several tasks that need to be done swifty. You would have to seek immediate medical assistance, report the accident to authorities, inform your insurance company, gather evidence, seek legal help, and ensure that the individual who was liable for the car accident would take responsibility for the incident.

Don’t fret though, as we at the Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm have your back. We have gathered all the steps that you would need to take in the wake of a car accident. We have compiled all the information that you would need to know in this handy car accident checklist.

Being in a car or truck accident is probably not on the top of your to-do list. But, if you follow the Roxell Richards Car Accident Checklist, the ensuing recovery and legal actions can be hassle-free. More importantly, it ends in you getting proper compensation for damages.

What to do when you are in a car accident?

Here are the steps you need to take for when you experience any types of car accident:

1. Stay calm and get medical attention.

Take a moment to collect yourself. Being in a car accident is a shocking experience, and you owe it to yourself to keep a clear head. There are so many things to be done in the aftermath of the accident, and you would need to think clearly and act fast. It would be a good idea to take a few seconds for a couple of deep breaths. Regulate your emotions, as you will not get anything done if tensions run high. If you can, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn your hazard lights on to avoid further auto accidents.

First, you must make sure that you and your passengers are safe. If anyone is injured in a car accident, call 911 and get the help that you need. You or the other occupants of the car might think you were not seriously hurt, but a trained medical professional might think otherwise. The most important thing in this situation is to secure everyone’s safety by getting immediate medical help. If you happen to be near a hospital, go to the emergency room right away so you and your companions could get checked right away.

Most victims of car accidents tend to prioritize getting a recorded statement or evidence first. However, getting the necessary medical treatment is actually important–both for your health and wellbeing and for your car accident claim.

2. File a police report.

Call the police or the highway patrolmen when you’re in an accident. Once they respond, they will create a crash report and file it in their systems. Police officers are trained to objectively assess the scene of the accident, and they would be able to provide help in identifying the at-fault party in the car accident. This is very important, especially if there is contention regarding the liable party.

If you find yourself in a situation involving a car accident through fault of your own, then the liable party or the individual who caused the car accident should take responsibility. Get the at-fault party’s contact details, and take a photo of any form of identification, such as the driver license. Make sure you also leave your contact information with the liable party, so you can maintain open communication lines as you go through your compensation claim.

It is also important that you gather evidence to support your compensation claim. You may obtain a copy of the police report via the Crash Report Online System. This is a critical document that you would need for your claim, along with your insurance information and a list of property damage and car accident injuries.

Witnesses’ statements and their contact information may also be included. However, if you are able to, talk to the nearby witnesses to strengthen your claims.

You could also try to get in touch with nearby stores or establishments who might have security cam footage of the car accident. These recordings would go a long way in supporting your claims, as they are additional pieces of evidence proving that the accident occurred.

When you gather the proper evidence after a car accident, experienced Houston car accident attorneys will be able to help you secure the compensation you deserve for damages. They are equipped with the necessary training in all matters related to the law, and they also have years of experience handling these cases, so they will know exactly what you need to prepare for your car accident compensation claim.

3. Do not sign any document.

In most car accident cases, the other driver or their insurance company would want you to take the blame or fault to avoid paying for exorbitant fees. This is one of the many situations where an experienced car accident lawyer could really help you out. If yo feel like you are being pressured to sign any kind of document and settle the case right away, refuse outright and let your car accident lawyer know right away.

It is very, very important that you do not sign any form of contract or settlement document without your lawyer present, as you might be presented with a lowball offer for your compensation claim. This is a situation that you would want to avoid at all costs. Leave the negotiations with your car accident lawyer, who will get the best possible settlement for you.

There are some states in the US, such as Texas, that employ an At-Fault Liability. This means that whoever was at fault in an incident, like a car crash, would be liable to pay for the damages.

If a person cannot pay for it, then their insurance company will be the one to pay. This is the main reason that all drivers are required to have the minimum insurance. If you don’t have any, you could be fined for $350 or more when you are caught driving a car with no insurance.

4. Hire an experienced car accident lawyer.

When you’re dealing with insurance adjusters, you need the guidance of a car accident attorney. Most insurance companies would want to settle for a small amount of money that won’t even pay for your physical therapy; let alone other damages like pain and suffering.

Hiring the right car accident lawyer in Houston can make or break your auto accident case. A seasoned auto accident attorney can help you file the claim, ensure all the paperwork is correct, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court.

Performing the right actions at the scene, getting the right type of care, and hiring a lawyer can help prevent the victim of a traffic collision from future medical, legal, and financial damages. Take the following steps if you are ever a victim of a car accident:

1) Stay at the scene of the accident.

2) Call the police and 911, especially if someone is hurt.

3) Seek immediate medical evaluation.

4) Do not admit fault or talk about your insurance policy.

5) Do not sign any documents that are not approved by your car accident lawyer.

6) Gather as much information as you can about other drivers.

7) Take pictures of the crash scene.

8) Call a personal injury attorney before your insurance company.

Roxell Richards Law Firm offers an affordable and accessible legal service that does not require you to pay upfront. You are assured of quality representation at all times because it’s contingent on your case being won, so there will never be any surprises when filing suit!

If you or someone you know has been harmed in a car accident, consult Roxell Richards Law Firm immediately. Call us today at our local phone number (713) 974-0388 or via our toll-free number 1-855-GOT-INJURED.

Roxell Richards is a highly successful law office with a proven track record of successfully taking on insurance companies. Contact us to get your case reviewed for FREE!

To keep a hard or digital copy of this checklist download our printable car accident checklist so you will never forget it in case you or your loved ones get in a car accident.