A car accident in Friendswood, Texas, can leave you hurt, confused, and unsure about what to do next. The steps you take at the scene and during the following days may affect your health, insurance claim, and ability to recover compensation.
If you or a loved one has been in a crash, The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and options for compensation. Call (281) 992-8633 to schedule a free consultation with a Friendswood car accident lawyer today.
How The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Friendswood
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers represents people injured in crashes throughout Friendswood, TX. Our attorneys have 58 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $500 million for past clients.
A Friendswood car accident attorney from our firm can:
- Investigate the collision and identify its cause
- Gather photographs, video footage, and witness statements
- Obtain police reports and medical records
- Identify the parties who may share responsibility
- Calculate your accident-related losses
- Communicate with insurance companies for you
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Prepare your case for court when necessary
You do not have to manage a legal claim while recovering from your injuries. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a Friendswood personal injury lawyer and learn more about your options.
Check for Injuries and Call for Help
Your first priority should be the safety of everyone involved. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, and call 911 when anyone needs emergency medical care. Avoid moving someone who may have a serious head, neck, or spinal injury unless remaining in place creates an immediate danger.
Texas law requires drivers involved in injury accidents to stop, determine whether anyone needs help, and provide reasonable assistance. This may include arranging transportation for an injured person to receive medical treatment.
Move Your Vehicle to a Safe Location
If no one is injured and your vehicle can be driven, move it out of active traffic. Leaving a vehicle in a travel lane can create another collision and put drivers, passengers, and emergency workers at risk.
Move to a nearby shoulder, parking lot, or other safe location. Turn on your hazard lights and remain close enough to the scene to speak with the other driver and responding officers.
Do not leave the area before exchanging the required information. Leaving an accident scene without fulfilling your legal duties may result in serious consequences.
Document the Accident Scene
Evidence at the scene may be lost once vehicles are removed, debris is cleared, and road conditions change. Use your phone to take photographs and videos when it is safe to do so.
Document the following:
- Damage to every vehicle
- Vehicle positions and license plates
- Skid marks, debris, and broken parts
- Traffic lights, signs, and lane markings
- Weather, lighting, and road conditions
- Visible injuries
- Nearby businesses or traffic cameras
Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. A neutral witness may help explain how the crash occurred when the drivers give different accounts. You will also need to exchange information with any other drivers involved in the collision.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Some injuries are obvious at the scene, while others take hours or days to cause noticeable symptoms. Adrenaline may hide pain after a traumatic event.
A medical professional can check for concussions, internal injuries, fractures, whiplash, and other conditions. Seeking prompt care can also create records showing when your symptoms began and what treatment was recommended.
Follow your doctor’s instructions, attend follow-up appointments, and complete prescribed therapy. Keep copies of medical bills, test results, medication receipts, and other treatment records.
Report the Crash and Request a Copy of the Police Report
Notify your insurer about the accident within the time required by your policy. Give accurate basic details, but avoid guessing about the cause of the crash or the extent of your injuries.
You may also request a copy of the police crash report after it becomes available. TxDOT provides access to crash reports submitted by Texas law enforcement agencies. A person directly involved in a crash or otherwise entitled under state law may request a copy.
Review the report for errors involving driver information, vehicle details, insurance coverage, or the accident location. A crash report may be important evidence, but it does not always determine who is legally responsible.
Be Careful When Speaking with Insurance Companies
The other driver’s insurance company may contact you shortly after the accident. An adjuster may ask for a recorded statement, request access to your medical history, or offer an early settlement.
You are not required to accept an immediate offer. Early settlement proposals may arrive before you understand the full extent of your injuries, future treatment needs, or lost earnings.
Do not exaggerate your injuries or hide relevant facts. However, consider seeking legal counsel before signing releases or providing detailed statements to an opposing insurer. A Friendswood personal injury attorney can provide guidance on your next steps and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit on Time
Texas generally gives injured people two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Different deadlines or notice rules may apply in some cases, including claims involving government entities.
Waiting can make a case harder to prove. Taking action promptly can help preserve evidence and protect your legal options.
Contact Our Friendswood Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The aftermath of a crash can involve painful injuries, missed work, vehicle repairs, and difficult conversations with insurance companies. Our legal team can review the circumstances, explain your options, and handle the claims process while you focus on your recovery.
Contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with our Friendswood car accident attorneys.
