What To Do After A Car Crash?

One of our most important roles at Calhoun Meredith, is representing people injured in car, truck and motorcycle accidents in and around Houston. It is no secret that traffic patterns and congestion are challenging aspects of living here. When a serious motor vehicle accident happens to you, you need both medical attention and legal counsel.

First, Why Are There So Many Accidents In This Metro Area?

When thousands of drivers are rushing to their destinations at the same time, traffic congestion often becomes a hazard. People and cars come together to create situations that cause crashes, such as:

• Driver error
• Speeding
• Illegal lane changes
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Tailgating is a way of life
• Slick pavement during and after heavy rain
• Visibility difficulties related to trucks, trees, bridges, tunnels, and other obstacles
• Vehicular failures, such as tire blowouts and defective brakes

Sooner or later, a large percentage of the population may be involved in some type of wreck. A crash resulting in injuries is often a major life event.

What Should I Do First After A Motor Vehicle Accident?

If you are immobilized by injury, others may call for an ambulance. If you are hurt but still mobile, you may be able to help yourself. Getting a medical evaluation is important, even if you don’t feel pain yet. Shock may cover up injuries until they become painful hours or days later.

You should move your vehicle out of traffic as soon as possible. Be truthful and courteous in conversation with the police, but do not talk about fault or other legal issues. Tell the police you plan to seek legal advice.

What Can I Do To Protect My Rights?

Gather evidence, such as:

• Photographs of the crash scene and your wrecked vehicle and injuries
• Contact information for eyewitnesses
• Information about where your car is being towed to
• Environmental descriptions, in words or pictures, covering things like signs, traffic control features, trees and road conditions.

Share any evidence you collect with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Should I Talk To Insurance Companies?

You don’t need to give any more information to investigators than your name, contact information and your own insurance company information. You are not required to answer detailed questions before getting a lawyer’s advice.

Do not expect any insurance company, not even your own insurer, to be “on your side.” Only a lawyer representing you will be your real advocate, applying experience and knowledge on your behalf while seeking the compensation you need and deserve.

What If I Can’t Afford My Medical Bills?

For the emergency care you need after a car accident and for ongoing care afterward, you will ideally be recovering compensation through another driver’s insurance or your own. Health care providers will usually treat you even if you can’t pay, with the expectation that they will be able to collect when your case is settled.

Our personal injury attorneys stay in close communication with our clients’ care providers to ensure our clients have access to the treatments they need.

How Can I Get In Touch With A Lawyer?

At Calhoun Meredith, we make things easy for potential clients and existing clients. We answer phone calls. We make house calls, if necessary. We welcome questions. Contact us online or by phone to schedule your FREE consultation.