En Español
More than six million car accidents happen in the United States each year—and Dallas is no exception. A third of those accidents involve personal injuries to the drivers or their passengers, and even more involve property damage to vehicles in the accident.
If you were injured in an accident, the costs can be large. From medical bills for doctor visits, tests, medications, and more, to vehicle repair or replacement expenses, you may be left with up to tens of thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of dollars in damages. But if you didn’t cause the accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for the costs that weren’t your fault. That’s why it’s best to talk to a Dallas car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping car accident victims recover the money they need for more than two decades. Our attorneys know what it takes to win cases. Starting as a small local law firm, we’ve grown to be one of the most respected and well-known practices in the state. And we want to help you, too. For a FREE consultation with one of our car accident lawyers, contact us today—at any time. Call 404-400-4000 or complete the form on this page to get started.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Dallas?
If you’re well enough after a car accident, there are certain steps you can take to protect your rights and benefit your case. Here are some of the best things you can do.
1. Stop and Put Your Hazard Lights On
Your body will probably be running on adrenaline after the accident, and it might be hard to think straight. But don’t forget to stop your car and, if you can, move to the side of the road. Driving away from the scene of an accident is illegal, so you’ll want to stop and speak to the other driver.
Be mindful of other traffic, too. Be careful getting out of your vehicle and put your hazard lights on to let other drivers know you’re not moving and that they should give you space.
2. Call Police
You must report almost any vehicle accident, so call police to let them know what happened. They will come to the scene and create a police report of the accident. This is good because you’ll likely need this report for your insurance claim.
Be sure to tell officers exactly how the accident occurred and mention all injuries or property damage you sustained. If they ask if you’re injured and you don’t know for sure yet, tell them you aren’t sure (instead of saying “no”). Some injuries take time to fully show up, and you might notice pain hours later or the next day.
3. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Police will get this information when they respond to the scene, but it’s generally a good idea to also exchange names, phone numbers, and addresses with everyone involved in the accident. Also, ask to see their insurance card.
4. Take Pictures
Most of us have phones with cameras now. If that’s the case for you, use your phone’s camera to take pictures of:
- The accident scene
- Your injuries (and any passenger injuries)
- All damage to your vehicle
- Anything else you think could be relevant to your case
5. Talk to Witnesses
If anyone saw the accident happen, ask them what they saw and get their name and contact information. Your attorney will want to contact them soon.
6. Keep Receipts
Being organized and keeping track of important details can really help your case—and your attorney. Keep a file of all documents related to your car accident, including names and phone numbers of important contacts, receipts from bills and other costs of the accident, and information on the adjuster handling your insurance claim and your claim number.
7. See a Doctor
If you have injuries that are serious and can’t wait, this should be step number one. Never sacrifice your own safety and well-being after a car accident. Get medical attention right away if you need it.
Otherwise, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible after details at the accident scene have been handled. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s still a good idea to get checked out by your physician to ensure you won’t need more treatment down the road. And if your injuries worsen after you’ve seen your doctor, make an appointment to go back.
8. Consult a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer
Protecting your rights after an accident is crucial. Call a car accident attorney as soon as you can.
You’ll benefit from the lawyer’s help immediately because insurance companies are quick to act after a wreck. They will often want to get a statement from you right away, and you never want to give a statement, sign anything, or accept any monetary offer before talking to a lawyer. They will make sure the at-fault driver’s insurer doesn’t take advantage of you or leave you with compensation that’s way less than you need.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
Unfortunately, that’s too hard to answer completely through an online article. Every car accident case is different, and the details can vary widely. But a car accident lawyer can determine whether you have a case during the initial consultation. You can tell them the details during a 30-60 minute meeting, and they’ll give you their expert legal opinion on your best course of action.
That being said, anyone who was injured in a car accident potentially has a case—so don’t assume you can’t make a claim until you’ve spoken to a professional. Even minor injuries can cost more than you initially anticipated—and if you see a doctor for the injuries, chances are it should be covered by the other driver’s insurance.
Car accident cases we regularly take on involve situations like:
- Whiplash or other head or neck injuries
- Rear end collision or head-on collision accidents
- Drunk driving or distracted driving
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist accidents
- Hit and run accidents
Talk to a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer for Free
To find out how you can best approach your insurance claim after a car accident, speak with a Dallas car accident lawyer today. At John Foy & Associates, we always offer a FREE consultation to discuss your case—and we bring over 20 years of experience in personal injury law to the table. Let us help you, starting with a free consultation. To get started today, call us any time of the day or week at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form on this page.
