What should I do after a highway accident? Immediately after a highway accident, ensure everyone is out of harm’s way and call 911, document as much as you can, and gather witness contact information.
Avoid making any formal statements until you seek legal counsel from an experienced Arlington car accident lawyer.
Prioritize Safety Above All Else
Regardless of who may be at fault, the safety of everyone involved should remain the number one priority. Getting everyone to safety is essential, following all directions from first responders. There are ways to do this without disrupting the scene or losing potential evidence. These can include:
- Pulling over to a safe location, if possible
- Turning on hazard lights
- Setting out flares or triangles
- Avoiding standing near traffic
- Checking for injuries
While maintaining the integrity of the scene is important, it should not come at the expense of anyone’s safety or physical well-being. This is the most important thing you should do after a highway accident.
Call 911 Immediately, Even if the Damage Seems Minor
Despite the high speeds and multiple vehicles involved in a highway collision, injuries or damage may not be noticed immediately. Having official documentation can be key to building your case and ensuring that you receive full compensation for your accident.
Anytime adrenaline or shock is involved, injuries can go unnoticed until things settle. Being evaluated by a medical professional immediately after an accident will not only help rule out any acute injuries but can also link long-term injuries that pop up later to the incident. This can be essential when seeking compensation for ongoing treatments.
Having a police report is a vital piece of evidence when building your case. The responding officer is an unbiased third party who can look at the scene with a trained eye. These reports carry significant weight if the case ends up before a judge. This is one of the most important things you should do after a highway accident.
Document the Scene to Protect Your Claim
Memories can fade quickly, especially in high-stress situations like a highway accident. Making sure to document the scene as thoroughly as possible helps to preserve evidence in your case, thereby strengthening it. Some types of helpful documentation may include:
- Photos of vehicle damage
- Photos of injuries
- Videos of the scene
- Weather and road condition documentation
- Photos of traffic signs, skid marks, and debris
- Voice recordings of what you see
- Written records of other important details
- Witness contact information
All of these pieces can help your Arlington personal injury lawyer build your case to maximize the amount of damages you are able to recover from your accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company—but Be Careful What You Say
Notifying your insurance company after an accident is an essential step in what you should do after a highway accident, but what you say can have an impact on your settlement offer. The same goes for the other party’s insurance company. Some ways to protect yourself may include:
- Reporting basic facts only
- Avoiding recorded statements
- Not guessing about injuries
- Avoiding speculation about fault
- Declining early settlement offers
It may be tempting to give your side of the story in hopes that it will make the case go quickly, or to take an early settlement offer so you can move on with your life, but without proper representation, you may be leaving money on the table that you rightfully deserve.
Why Having an Attorney Matters
Even if you follow all of the other steps that you should take after a highway accident, failing to have proper legal representation can mean that you don’t receive the full damages that you are owed. A trained lawyer understands the legal system, particularly liability, and will use that knowledge to build your case.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system (Sec. 33.002). This means that as long as you are less than 51% at fault, you may still be able to recover damages, minus the percentage that you are found to be at fault. Your attorney can help you determine who is at fault and give you an understanding of how much your case may be worth.
Having a lawyer means protecting your rights, and it is well worth it to get an attorney for a car accident. After a collision on the highway, you should focus on recovery. Having the right legal team backing you means you can relax, knowing they are doing the heavy lifting.
How You Handle an Accident Matters
What you do after a highway accident is important in building your case. Highway accidents often occur at higher speeds, resulting in bigger injuries and more complex liability. Without the proper evidence, it can be challenging to determine what truly happened, which may result in you receiving less compensation.
After an accident, adrenaline is high, and oftentimes, everyone involved acts on emotion. It is important to keep a level head during these circumstances. This helps to ensure that not only is everyone physically safe, but also that you are less likely to act in a way that would hurt your case.
All crashes can be frightening, but highway accidents can be particularly traumatic due to the potential for serious injuries, damage to vehicles, and overall stress of the incident. Highways are a part of many drivers’ daily commute, and accidents are bound to happen, but knowing how to handle them puts you at an advantage.
After a Highway Accident, The Texas Law Dog Is Here for You
We know Texas highways and the risks they pose. As your dedicated legal team, we stop at nothing to fight for the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Whether it’s getting you the highest possible settlement or representing you in court, at The Texas Law Dog, we don’t just bark. We bite.
