Involvement in a serious car accident can be an extremely stressful experience. In an ideal world, innocent victims would be able to recover compensation for their injuries and other losses automatically and without any input from them – but this is far from reality. In fact, there are certain steps that victims can take to maximize their chances of obtaining a settlement or award that compensates them for their losses – as well as things that they can say or do that could jeopardize their right to recover at all. Here are some of the ways that you can protect your legal rights after an accident in Texas.
Gather Information about Your Accident
After an accident, collect as much information as you can about the way in which the accident occurred and the people involved in it. This means exchanging information with the other driver involved, writing down the other vehicle’s license plate number, and getting contact information from witnesses, if possible. If you can, take pictures of the aftermath of the accident and make note of any hazardous conditions that may have played a role.
Undergo a thorough Medical Evaluation
You should always undergo a thorough medical evaluation after you have been injured in an accident. Doing so serves two purposes – first, to make sure that your injuries are identified and treated, and second, to create an official record that details the severity and extent of your injuries. Failing to seek medical attention after an accident can make it difficult to establish damages when dealing with the insurance company or the court, so you should always see a doctor after a crash, even if you think your injuries will just heal on their own.
Do Not Accept a Settlement Offer Before Talking to a Lawyer
Many insurance companies (or at-fault parties themselves) are quick to make a settlement after an accident. This is because most victims are not aware of how much their case is actually worth until they speak to an attorney and may be willing to accept a seemingly adequate offer out of a desire to move on and put the matter behind them. The problem with accepting a lowball offer is that once a settlement has been accepted, it makes it nearly impossible to recover additional compensation in the future. For this reason, you should always retain an attorney prior to even entertaining accepting a settlement after an accident.
Talk to a Lawyer as Soon as You Can
You should retain an attorney as you can after involvement in an accident. Waiting to start an investigation can result in the loss or destruction of evidence that is necessary to prevail in your case. Additionally, if you wait too long, it may be impossible to bring a claim at all because of the applicable statute of limitations.
Call The Law Offices of George Salinas to Retain a San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in an accident in the San Antonio area, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our lawyers, call our office today at 210-225-0909 or send us an email through our online contact form.