What to Do Immediately After Your Accident

1. Check for Injuries: Immediately assess yourself and others for any injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
2. Relocate Vehicles: If it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the traffic flow to prevent further accidents. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
3. Report the Accident: Contact the San Angelo Police Department or local law enforcement to report the accident. Having an official police report is vital for your insurance claim and any potential legal action.
4. Gather Details: Exchange names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the collision.
5. Obtain Witness Details: If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information. Their accounts can be valuable for your claim.
6. Take Photos and Videos: Use your smartphone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
7. Visit a Doctor: Even if you feel fine, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and having medical records will support your claim.
8. Report the Accident: Inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary details and cooperate with their investigation.
9. Avoid Detailed Statements: Be honest but avoid giving detailed statements or accepting blame until you have consulted with a lawyer.
10. Seek Legal Advice: Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, gather the necessary evidence, and build a compelling case.

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Collecting Evidence After a Car Accident

Gathering and preserving evidence after a car accident will help for building a strong case and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Here’s a guide on the types of evidence you should collect:

• Police Report: Make sure to get a copy of the police report from the San Angelo Police Department or the responding law enforcement agency. This report provides an official account of the accident, including details about the involved parties, witness statements, and any citations issued.
• Photographic and Video Evidence: Use your smartphone to take clear photos and videos of the accident scene from multiple angles. Capture details such as vehicle positions, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
• Vehicle Damage: Take close-up shots of the damage to all vehicles involved in the accident
• Injuries: Photograph any visible injuries sustained in the accident.
• Witness Statements: Gather the names and contact details of any witnesses to the accident
• Record Statements: If possible, write down or record their statements about what they saw. Witness testimony can be invaluable in corroborating your account of the accident.
• Medical Records: Visit a healthcare professional immediately after the accident, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• Document Treatment: Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, prescriptions, therapy sessions, and follow-up visits. These records will serve as proof of your injuries and the associated medical expenses.
• Accident Reconstruction: In complex cases, accident reconstruction experts can provide a detailed analysis of the accident. They use evidence such as vehicle damage, skid marks, and other physical evidence to recreate the accident and determine fault.
• Document Lost Wages: If the accident caused you to miss work, provide pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to document your lost wages.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: For long-term injuries affecting your ability to work, gather evidence of your previous earnings and future earning potential.
• Keep a Journal: Maintain a personal journal detailing your injuries, pain levels, and how the accident has impacted your daily life. This can help demonstrate non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
• Save Receipts and Bills: Keep receipts and bills for all accident-related expenses, including medical costs, vehicle repairs, transportation, and any other out-of-pocket expenses.
• Gather Insurance Details: Collect information about your insurance policy and that of the other driver(s) involved. This includes policy numbers, coverage details, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
• Medical Experts: Obtain testimony from medical professionals about the extent and impact of your injuries.
• Economic Experts: Engage experts who can testify about the financial impact of the accident, including future medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
• Keep Records: Maintain a file of all communication with insurance companies, medical providers, and any other parties involved in your case.

We understand how difficult it is to gather this kind of evidence after being involved in a car crash, which is why our San Angelo personal injury lawyers will carry the burden for you. Contact us today to find our more! 

Two Years to File a Claim—Don’t Delay!

The statute of limitations sets the deadline for initiating legal action, and failing to adhere to this timeline can result in losing your right to seek compensation.

In Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your accident claim. This applies to claims for bodily injuries, property damage, and wrongful death.

While the two-year deadline applies in most cases, there are exceptions that can extend or alter this timeframe:

• Discovery Rule: If your injuries or damages were not immediately apparent, the statute of limitations may begin from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered them.
• Minors: If the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations typically begins when the minor turns 18. Therefore, they have until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit.
• Government Claims: If your personal injury claim is against a government entity, special rules apply. You must file a notice of claim with the government agency within six months of the accident, and the lawsuit must be filed within the standard two-year period.

A Note on Fees

To make quality legal representation accessible, we operate on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases:

• Risk-Free Representation: With a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay any legal fees upfront. We cover all the costs associated with building your case, including filing fees, expert witness fees, and investigation costs.
• No Win, No Fee: You only pay legal fees if we successfully secure compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or award we obtain on your behalf. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
• Motivated to Win: Our interests are directly aligned with yours. We are motivated to maximize your compensation because our payment depends on the success of your case.
• Clear Terms: At the outset of your case, we will provide a clear and detailed explanation of the contingency fee agreement. You will understand exactly what percentage of the settlement or award will go towards legal fees, so there are no surprises.

Example Scenario:

Suppose you are awarded a settlement of $100,000. If the agreed-upon contingency fee is 33%, our fee would be $33,000, and you would receive the remaining $67,000. All costs and expenses we advanced would also be deducted from the settlement.

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