If you see the Atlanta Interactive Traffic Accident Map, you will find that in the last five years, accidents have only increased.
If you’ve been in a traffic accident, whether it’s your fault or not, it’s important to take certain precautions so that you do not cause future problems with insurance claims or lawsuits. These precautions are mainly based on advice from local law enforcement officials and expert attorneys who see the aftermath of accidents too often and can help you protect yourself for years to come. Therefore, here are some tips on what you should do if you’ve been involved in an automobile accident to protect your legal rights.
Contact Your Lawyer immediately
When you are involved in a traffic accident in Dallas, the first thing you should do is contact a reputable lawyer. So, keep reading and learn more about how a personal injury lawyer can assist you throughout the legal process. Since every state has different laws governing the rights of injured parties, you want to make sure you find an attorney who is familiar with the laws in Texas to make sure you are covered. If your accident was not your fault, especially in the case of a wreck involving an oil truck or tractor-trailer, you should consult with a car accident lawyer in Dallas who specializes in these types of accidents. They know the specific law and can advise you on how best to protect yourself and ensure that all of your rights are being represented properly so that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Call The Police
You must contact the police as soon as possible after a traffic accident to file an official report. You should call 911 or go to the local precinct to have law enforcement come out and take your statement. After any type of car wreck, you must do this since otherwise there will be no record created if problems arise later during a criminal investigation for driving under the influence or reckless driving, or civil actions filed by insurance companies. Filing a police report will provide a legal record of the incident and protect you from any future problems.
Exchange Insurance Information
In addition to filing an official police report, it is important to exchange insurance information with all parties involved in your accident as soon as possible after the wreck occurs. In most cases, this will not be a problem but there are times when people do not wish to cooperate or their insurance company has already contacted them. Therefore, you should take out your copy of your policy and make sure that all of the proper information is recorded by both drivers after each party’s insurers have been notified. After a traffic accident in Dallas, you should also take down names and addresses for witnesses who can back up anyone’s story if questions arise later about who was at fault.
Document Everything
Finally, you should take extensive notes of the accident and any injuries that may have occurred. Photographs of your car, the scene, and even the people involved in the wreck are also important to document everything that happens. You can do this with your cell phone or simply bring a camera with you if it is not already in your vehicle. You should also gather all the medical records from any doctors you may see after the event takes place. This way, if you need to go to the doctor later or file a claim, everything is readily available and in one single location.
These are the crucial steps you should take following an automobile accident to ensure that your legal rights and interests are protected while also covering all of your bases should any future problems arise. Remember, it’s much easier to document and state your case early on than it is trying to defend yourself later on when any evidence is harder to obtain.
