San Antonio Auto Accident Personal Injury Lawyer
Being involved in an automobile accident is sometimes unavoidable. Although it can be a traumatic experience, taking appropriate action is necessary. There are seven basic rules to follow succeeding an automobile accident:
Stop. Never leave the scene of an accident, even if it is a minor collision. Fleeing the accident scene may result in criminal prosecution or driver’s license penalties.
- Assess the injuries or damage.
- Move your vehicle if you are in eminent danger. If you are not in danger and upon availability, place cones or flares to divert traffic from stopped vehicles.
- Examine for any injuries. Never move a wounded person. Altering the position may further exacerbate the injury.
- Call emergency personnel if necessary.
- Preserve and document evidence or details of the accident.
- Call the police if they have not been notified. If you are unable to make the call, ask someone else to report the accident. Allowing the police to investigate and report the accident may provide necessary evidence for future proceedings.
Obtaining Information
Obtain information subsequent to the accident, such as:
- Information concerning the other driver. Name, address, phone numbers, driver’s license number, license plate, insurance information.
- Information concerning witnesses, along with their name, address and phone number.
- Information concerning police officers. If the officer hasn’t already provided the information, request a business card with the “incident number” for obtaining the accident report.
- Information concerning location. Photograph and take notes, such as date, time, where the accident took place, road conditions, speed limits, traffic control devices, weather, lighting.
- Information concerning the accident. Document how the accident occurred, what the vehicles were doing at the time of the accident, which direction they were traveling, the year, color, make and model of all vehicles involved.
Remember that it is possible that you may be required to share your notes with the person you are suing or who is suing you. Never admit liability even if palpably guilty. There may be other dynamics involved that may have shared a part in the accident. It could be determined that the other driver was more at fault than you.
Never make statements to anyone at the scene of the accident, other than the police. Convey only the facts of the events. Allow the officer/s to form their conclusion based on known factors.
Seek Medical Treatment
If necessary, promptly seek medical attention. Postponing treatment could further aggravate the injury. Take into account the “no fault insurance law” this law requires you to seek immediate medical attention following an accident. If you decline medical treatment, the insurance company may dispute whether or not your injuries developed from something else after the accident. It may take time for the effects of the accident to emerge. Even minor pain may be an indication of a more serious injury. You should certainly report any blood or fluid in your ear, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, memory loss, ringing in your ears, any strange physical or mental feeling. Sometimes people have unknowingly hit their head or suffered brain injuries in accidents and are unaware of their injuries. It is up to the doctor to identify a concussion.
There are rules and regulations that oversee the operation of large commercial trucks, such as eighteen wheelers, and semi tractor-trailers. These rules are implemented to reduce the risk of truck accidents by keeping trucks in good working order and by preventing tired drivers from driving. There are serious penalties enforced for violating the rules of safety, and trucking fleets are familiar with them.
Document your losses, such as medical bills, future medical treatment, lost wages, future lost income, transportation costs involving your injuries, the effect on you and your family.
Car accidents and the aftermath can be tumultuous. It is to your advantage that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. Contact me day or night at 210-227-1888. Initial consultations are free and confidential.