Auto Accident Checklist

September 23, 2021 | Car Accidents

If you or somebody you care about gets involved in a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver in Texas, you need to take every step possible to recover maximum compensation for your losses. However, securing compensation can be incredibly challenging, particularly if you do not take certain steps following the vehicle accident. Here, our Austin car accident lawyer will provide an auto accident checklist that you can follow to help ensure you recover the compensation you need.

1. Medical Care

The number one priority after a vehicle accident is seeking medical care. Often, individuals do not feel any pain right after an accident occurs, leading them to believe they do not need to seek assistance from a doctor. However, the signs and symptoms of many vehicle accident injuries are not apparent until hours or days following the collision. By seeking immediate medical care, individuals involved in a crash establish a solid link between the incident and any injuries they sustain. This is important for insurance carriers to see.

2. Police Involvement

Just about every vehicle accident has to be reported to local or state police. It is crucial for the police to come to the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation so they can fill out an accident report. Insurance carriers are going to need the accident report in order to process the claim.

3. Evidence Gathering

If it is safe to do so at the scene of a vehicle accident, individuals involved can begin gathering evidence that can help their claim. This can include:

• Using a phone or another type of camera to take photographs of the vehicle damage, injuries, traffic and weather conditions, causes of the crash, debris, skid marks, etc.
• The names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the crash.
• Any possible video surveillance from nearby homes, businesses, or vehicle dash cams. It may not be possible to get this footage right away, but you should make note of any cameras and work with an attorney to obtain the footage at a later date.

4. Reporting to Insurance Carrier

You need to report the vehicle accident to your insurance carrier as soon as possible. Even if you did not cause the crash, your insurance carrier has to know about the accident so they can begin processing the claim. Failing to report a crash to your insurance carrier within a day or two after the incident could result in the carrier delaying or denying the claim.

5. Documenting Daily Activity

After a crash occurs, you should keep a daily journal that documents your daily activities. This is important for multiple reasons. First, you should note how the injuries have affected your day-to-day life, including any pain and suffering you endure. Additionally, you should write down any interactions you have with insurance carriers or any other party involved in the case.

6. Contacting an Attorney

You need to speak to a skilled vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible. It can be challenging to secure compensation for medical bills, property damage expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.

However, when an attorney gets involved early in the case, they can handle every aspect of the claim. This includes conducting a complete investigation into the incident, handling all negotiations with insurance carriers, and even preparing the case for trial if necessary.