In the interest of helping you protect your rights under Texas personal injury law, Thompson Law would like to offer you this short list of mistakes to avoid after an auto accident.
Considering that a personal injury case resulting from an auto accident can sometimes take years to settle, many people are surprised to learn that the actions they take in the first few minutes to hours after the incident are the most critical in the entire process. The actions taken in this small window of time can not only impact the value of a claim but whether there is any claim to file at all.
One thing you can be certain of is that the insurance companies are going to be looking out for their own bottom line, not your best interest. This is particularly true if there are injuries resulting from a client’s actions.
To protect your rights, it is best to talk to an attorney as soon as possible and let them handle your claim from the beginning.
The human memory is fallible especially when people have had a chance to consult with their insurance company or attorney. Even if you don’t feel that any major damages or injuries have been suffered, it is always advisable to get an official police report, also known as a crash report.
It will contain the details of the physical scene as well as witness statements and those of all parties involved. This establishes the facts of the accident as they truly existed. You can obtain a Texas crash report here, or an attorney can obtain one for you if you hire them.
Many times, people are injured in an auto accident without realizing it until sometime later. Shock, adrenaline rush and stress can all hide injuries for some time after the accident. Always have a medical examination as soon after a collision as possible. This is to protect your health and to help establish when and how you suffered any injuries, and avoid an insurance claim denial.
Photographs establish things as they actually were at a certain point in time without any bias or agenda. They simply show what is in front of the lens. Take as many photos as possible starting with wide shots of the general area and working your way down to detailed photos.
The majority of phone conversations at an insurance company are recorded and virtually all calls between an insurance adjuster and a client or accident victim are captured. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to allow your attorney to contact your insurance company.
As innocent an act as them saying they hoped you weren’t hurt and you replying that your fine can place your claim in jeopardy. Always remember anything you say can and will be used against you, this is the most common of the list on accident mistakes.
Many personal injury cases become a “he said/she said” situation. Collaborating testimony is one of the best ways to combat this. Always take down as much contact information as you can from prospective witnesses.
Insurance companies are masters at protecting their own interests, and you need to know what mistakes to avoid after an auto accident. They have entire teams of lawyers that do nothing else. Use this guide and navigate the mistakes to avoid after an auto accident and know that if you have been involved in an auto accident you deserve no less legal protection than they enjoy. That is why you need Thompson Law on your side.
Our focus is simple, helping our Texas clients recover from their injuries and putting all available resources towards achieving a great result for their case. Contact us at 844-308-8180 for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Be aware the Texas statute of limitations limits the time to file a claim after an accident to 2 years from the date of accident in most cases. However, the statute of limitations in other states is different, and may apply if your wreck was in another state.
Call Thompson Law today at 844-308-8180 for a FREE CASE EVALUATION. Take action now to protect your right to fair compensation know the mistakes to avoid after an auto accident.
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Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
