What Should an Injured Passenger in Houston Do After a Car Accident?

Houston is among the most developed metropolitan areas in Texas. The city roads are often congested and may lead to frustrated drivers and accidents. Houston drivers spent about 75 hours in traffic congestion in 2017.

It can be scary and confusing to be a passenger in a car accident. You may suffer from injuries and property damages. Fortunately, you can take legal help to gain adequate compensation. Depending on the person at fault, you can file a claim against the other driver or your driver.

A Houston personal injury lawyer helps you get the compensation you deserve. Read on to know what steps to take if you are an injured passenger in a car accident.

Seek Medical Attention

Make it a priority to get medical attention if you or the other party is injured in a car accident. You have to contact 911 and the local police. Even when you don’t experience any immediate injuries or symptoms, it is recommended to get medical aid.

Ensure to be sensitive about the symptoms. You are most likely to experience symptoms of concussion or internal injuries along with apparent external injuries. Additionally, seek medical attention to deal with the trauma of the accident to avoid a long-lasting impact.

Remember how you feel after the accident and mentally note the symptoms and pain. It helps in backing your injury claim. You have to keep all the medical records and reports safe to act as evidence as well.

Exchange Information

After moving your vehicle to a safer place, Texas law requires both parties to exchange essential information. It includes details, such as:

• Names
• Phone numbers
• Addresses
• Names and contact details of witnesses
• Insurance information
• Driver license information

Contact your personal injury lawyer in Houston to guide you with the exchange of information. They ensure that you do not say anything that may negatively affect your claim.

Report the Accident

Texas witnessed 12,107 serious injury motor vehicle crashes in 2020. You can report to Houston police if:

• Anyone suffers injuries
• Estimate damages of $1,000 and more
• The driver is intoxicated
• The driver has no insurance coverage
• The driver attempts to escape from the scene

Even if you do not call the police at the time of the accident, you can file your accident report within ten days with the Texas Department of Transportation.

Additionally, you have to report the car accident to your insurance provider at the earliest. Check which medical benefits your policy covers. A Houston personal injury lawyer helps you deal with the insurance company and ensures that you follow the claims process accurately.

Organize All Evidence

Ensure to collect and keep all the accident-related information and documents together. You can organize them in a file and keep them in a secure place. Check if it has all the necessary names, contacts, reports, photographs of the incident, medical bills, records, and other bills.

It helps to take multiple copies of the evidence and store them in different locations. You can effectively avoid damage or loss of essential evidence.

Your personal injury lawyer in Houston assists you in proving your claim. They review your existing evidence and try to collect more for backing the injury claim. The attorney helps you reconstruct the accident scene and interview witnesses to get more strong evidence.

Calculate Compensation

Make sure to be aware of the compensation you have the right to claim. With your personal injury lawyer, you can calculate the right compensation value for your injuries, sufferings, and damages.

Your lawyer ensures that you do not settle for a much lesser compensation. They present a strong argument on your behalf if the insurance company tries to lower the compensation for various reasons.

There were around 679 suspected serious vehicle crashes in Texas work zones in 2020. Several factors can determine the compensation, including the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Vehicle damages
• Future medical expenses
• Future wages you may lose
• Your pain, trauma, and other sufferings

Negotiate a Settlement

The insurance company may sometimes refuse to process your claim or insist that you deserve a lesser compensation. The insurance adjuster may prompt you to give out statements that may hurt your claim. Your personal injury lawyer prepares you on which statements to give and the topics to avoid.

The attorney takes over and answers on your behalf. They also skillfully negotiate with relevant laws and strong evidence. Hiring a Houston personal injury lawyer improves your chances of receiving the compensation you are entitled to.

As an injured passenger of a car crash, you have better chances of compensation because you are not at fault. A personal injury lawyer in Houston guides you through the claims process and ensures that you get the right compensation.