With 1.3 million residents, Dallas is one of the biggest urban centers in the United States. And while that substantial number means that there are hundreds of thousands of active drivers, it doesn’t include the business travelers, tourists, and daily visitors that also flood our roadways. If you drive in a city like Dallas for long enough, chances are good that you’re going to be involved in a car accident, so it’s a good idea to know what to do after a crash.
Accidents Without Injuries
If you’re fortunate enough not to have any injuries and no one else is hurt, you still have an obligation to the other parties involved. Texas law requires you to exchange information with the other driver and to report the crash within ten days if there’s more than $1,000 in damage to one of the vehicles. After the crash, you can submit a claim to your insurance company or repair the car yourself.
Car Accidents with Injuries
If you’re in a more serious accident involving injuries, you’re legally required to report the crash regardless of the amount of damage to the vehicles. In most cases, you or another person on scene will call 911 and police and paramedics will be dispatched to the accident location. While you’re waiting for their arrival, there are some things to keep in mind:
- Inventory your own injuries – If you’re hurt, try not to move unless where you’re located is dangerous.
- Checking on other parties – Ask the passengers in your vehicle if they’re hurt. Only approach people in other involved vehicles if it’s safe to do so. Don’t move injured parties.
- Don’t move your car – Law enforcement will want to see all of the vehicles in their final resting place. Don’t move them unless they present a hazard.
- Avoid engaging with other drivers – Keep your conversation with other drivers and passengers to inquiring about their injuries and exchanging your driver information. Don’t argue about fault.
Getting Medical Attention After an Auto Accident
If you’re injured in an accident, your health is of primary concern. Allow the rescue personnel to examine you, and if necessary, to transport you to the hospital. If they don’t deem a trip to the emergency room to be necessary, follow up with your doctor at your earliest convenience. Just because you don’t feel like you’re hurt right after a car accident doesn’t mean that you don’t have undetected injuries. Some symptoms don’t manifest themselves right away, and you could be in shock. Let the medical experts assess your health.
Compensation for Accident Injuries
If you’re injured in a car accident, your treatment could include hospital stays, surgeries, medications, MRIs and other tests, physical therapy, and follow-up visits. In addition, you could suffer lost wages while you’re recovering from your car accident injuries. Most insurance settlement offers are for much less than the cost of a full recovery, so you may require the assistance of a Dallas auto accident lawyer to help you get the amount you’re entitled to. Most personal injury attorneys focusing on auto accident recoveries work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay any money out of pocket.
