Do Not Panic During a Car Accident
No one can predict a car accident. No matter how safety-conscious you are, being on the road exposes you to many hazards due to various reasons:
1. You cannot always guarantee the roadworthiness of your vehicle. There might be instances when your tire breaks down in the middle of your trip, or the battery suddenly drains, which will put your vehicle to a stop, leading to a car crash.
2. You have no control over the other cars on the road. Even if you drive so safely, another driver of a vehicle that you encounter may experience vehicular problems which will expose you to risks.
3. Bad weather may also be a contributing factor that leads to unexpected vehicular collisions.
For all these reasons, car accidents are sometimes inevitable. When it happens, the last thing that you should do is panic. No matter how bad the situation seems, keep calm and refrain from losing your temper.
Everyone’s Safety is The Primary Consideration
The primary concern during a car accident is the safety of everyone involved, which includes the driver and passengers. Before anything else, check whether anyone sustained injuries. When someone gets minor damage from the accident, get your first aid kit and disinfect the wound as soon as possible. However, it is best to call an ambulance immediately and seek medical help when somebody is seriously injured.
Take Photographs of The Incident
Assuming that everyone is safe from the accident or no one is badly hurt, have your camera or phone ready to take photographs of the incident. Ensure that you have proper documentation of the incident to have evidence you can use for your benefit when an investigation follows. The pictures must show your vehicle and that of the other party. Photographs are excellent proof to ensure that no one will be able to alter evidence later on. Photographs will also give the police officers an idea of what happened and determine who is at fault. Other than that, the insurance company will require photographs for your insurance claim. Pictures of the dents and scratches of the vehicle, which may require repair or replacement, shall also be taken.
Obtain The Necessary Information About The Other Driver
Be ready to exchange personal information with the other driver. You might need the driver’s name, address, contact number, insurance company, and license. These will be relevant should you file a claim with your insurance company or if you want to file a case against the other driver.
What to Do When The Police Investigators Arrive
As soon as the police investigators arrive, you shall be able to narrate clearly how the accident happened. Once the police have finished writing their report, ensure you can read everything in the information to verify whether the facts stated therein are accurate. The police will rely on the evidence they will find during their inspection, CCTV cameras nearby, and other sources of information to ascertain facts during their investigation. The police report shall accurately mention all relevant information concerning the car accident. Before you leave, get the number of the police investigators so that you can contact them should there be anything erroneous or inaccurate with their report.
Keep a Copy of Your Car Insurance Policy Inside a Compartment in The Car
The next thing that comes to mind during an accident is who shall shoulder the cost. You can check what is covered under your insurance if you have a copy of your policy inside a compartment in your car unless you remember your insurance policy’s coverage clearly in your head. As there may be medical expenses for the treatment of anyone injured, and your vehicle may need repair or replacement, all of these will require a lot of money. If you and the other driver have comprehensive insurance policies, money will not be a problem. The insurance company concerned will bear the cost of repair or replacement of your respective vehicles.
Car Insurance Coverage
The car insurance coverage varies according to the premium paid, model, and year of vehicle acquisition. It means that as your vehicle depreciates over time, the face value of the insurance policy also decreases. However, in Texas, the law set a minimum coverage for all car insurance. The minimum requirements are as follows:
a. Bodily injury liability: $30,000 for each injured person, up to $60,000 per accident
b. Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
c. Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $2,500 unless you expressly excluded this in writing
d. Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident unless you expressly excluded this in writing
e. Uninsured motorist property damage: $25,000 with a $250 deductible unless you expressly excluded this in writing
Thus, you are assured of the above rates despite what insurance company you have and whatever your insurance policy’s face value is.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
This bodily injury liability in your insurance coverage means that when another person is injured because of the accident, your insurance company will pay for that person’s medical bills in the minimum amount of $30,000. However, when more than one person is injured, the insurance company will only pay up to $60,000.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
As the vehicle may need repair or replacement after a car accident, the insurance company may shoulder the property damage in the minimum amount of $25,000 per accident.
Remember that the higher the insurance coverage, the safer it will be. The consequences of a car accident will drain your finances if your insurance coverage is not good enough, significantly if many people get seriously injured.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Insurance coverage might protect you from paying your medical bills. If, because of the accident, you cannot perform your duties regularly, this coverage will also help you make up for lost income. However, this is optional as you have the prerogative to refuse this by submitting a written statement.
Getting Hit By an Uninsured Driver
The problem arises when the other driver is uninsured, and they are the one who is at fault. This situation means that the other driver may only depend on their money to shoulder all necessary and incidental expenses concerning the accident. They may not have enough resources to pay for your medical bills and damage to your vehicle. However, when you have uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage and uninsured motorist property damage coverage in your insurance policy, these will be enough to keep you protected.
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage
If you sustained physical injuries and, unfortunately, the erring driver has no insurance, this coverage will help you pay for your medical treatment. You need not worry because the insurance company will shoulder your medical bills even though the driver who is at fault does not have insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
In the same way, your auto insurance company will pay for the damage to your car if your coverage includes the uninsured motorist property damage. It is wise to include this in your policy so that you will have peace of mind on the road. You cannot be sure that all drivers have car insurance, so you must protect yourself from the most stressful situation of having to pay thousands of dollars to repair your vehicle when the other party does not have car insurance.
Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Houston
Filing a claim with your insurance company is a challenging feat. You will need evidence to support your claim. If you cannot do this independently, leave this task to the experts. A car accident attorney in Houston will help you gather relevant evidence and draft the appropriate legal documents to ensure that your insurance company will approve your claim. When a car accident happens, the last thing you want is a rejection from your insurance company. This is exactly how a car accident attorney will help you. You need the most equitable settlement to give you the peace of mind you deserve. As there may be legal intricacies you need to be more knowledgeable about, the proper course of action is to let a car accident attorney prepare your claim and negotiate fair compensation with your insurance company.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer at The Morgan Legal Group
If you are caught in a car accident, a car accident lawyer at the Morgan Legal Group is more than willing to discuss this with you to facilitate an ideal settlement for your peace of mind. A car accident attorney has the duty and thrust to take care of your rights after a car crash. You do not need to worry about legal concerns anymore because a car accident lawyer will be the one to prepare your insurance claim. All you need to do is sit back and wait until you get favorable results from your insurance company. This process is more efficient and convenient as you will not have to carry the burden of proving your claim on your own. A car accident lawyer at the Morgan Legal Group will do that for you.