Houston is one of the largest cities in the entire United States. There are countless vehicles speeding across the metropolitan area every day, and some of them end up colliding with each other or with fixtures in the environment.
A crash in Houston can make someone late for work and possibly send them to the hospital. It could leave them stranded on the side of the road during miserably hot summer weather. People can have a hard time responding appropriately after a car crash if they don’t already have a plan in place. These are the most urgent, appropriate steps to take after a collision before seeking legal guidance. Keep them in mind just in case you’re ever involved in a collision.
Check for injuries and document the scene
The very first steps people take after a crash typically include inspecting themselves and others for injuries and then moving their vehicles. Generally, motorists benefit from taking a moment to capture the scene of the crash before moving their vehicles so that there will be more information available for a future recreation of the crash if one becomes necessary during a personal injury claim.
Exchange information with the other driver and the police
Motorists will typically need to exchange identifying information and insurance coverage details after a crash. They will then need to wait for the police to come to take a report. Reporting is mandatory in any crashes involving injury to humans or significant property damage. Informing the police of what happened and what they believed caused the crash can help a motorist hold the other driver accountable.
See a doctor for an evaluation
Unless the collision was a low-speed incident that caused limited cosmetic damage to a vehicle, people may have injuries that they don’t notice after the wreck. Internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries and even stable fractures may not be obvious after a crash until something triggers worsening symptoms. The delayed onset of symptoms can make it harder for people to pursue insurance claims for their crash-related injuries. They also increase the risk of worsening symptoms if they have internal bleeding or a brain injury by delaying their diagnosis. The worse someone’s injuries are, the more likely it is that they may require help with the insurance claims process or may need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Finally? Seek legal guidance. Having a plan for what to do after a car crash will make it easier for people to avoid the mistakes that could lead to poor medical outcomes and uncovered expenses.