Car Accident In Austin …
You’ve always been a cautious and attentive driver. You’ve never been involved in an auto accident but now it’s happened.
Now you are one of the 30,000+ people annually in the surrounding Austin area that are involved in a car accident. Now you are thinking, what do I do?
First Steps After A Car Accident
- Stop your vehicle and try to remain calm.
- If you are able to safely move your vehicle out of traffic then do so.
- Call 911 and report the accident. The operator can assist you and can dispatch the necessary emergency personnel such as EMS, Police, and Fire Department.
- Check your passengers and yourself for any injuries.
- Only exit the vehicle if the area is safe and doing so would not put you in any additional risk.
- If you are able to safely exit your vehicle, check on the drivers in the other vehicle.
Document The Scene
Take pictures of the scene of the accident including damage to your vehicle, the other vehicles, and any roadway damage you observe.
Do not rely on the other driver or the emergency personnel to document the scene of the accident for you!
If the police do not arrive on the scene, exchange information with the other driver but do not argue with them.
You should get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information (including policy numbers, makes, models, and license plates) of all vehicles involved in the accident.
Get contact information of any witnesses at the scene of the accident.
Get Medical Help
Even if you are only mildly injured, seek medical attention. Car crash victims experience a rush of adrenaline which can often mask the pain that they are experiencing. A medical provider will be able to evaluate you and make sure that there are no injuries related to the accident.
Some injuries do not show symptoms immediately. It is critical to be evaluated by a doctor to diagnose all injuries and to start receiving appropriate medical care. The doctor will also create medical records that can be important evidence at a later date.
What About My Car?
You’ve just been in a car accident, you’re panicked and in a state of shock. The insurance company is already making your life difficult.
How will you get to work? How do you pick up the kids from school? How will you get to doctor’s appointments and heal from this devastating injury?
The property damage aspect of the car accident is largely dictated by who was at fault. The following is a brief explanation of the property damage aspect of your Austin car accident claim:
If the other driver was at fault and is insured:
- Their insurance company should inspect your damaged vehicle and determine whether it is repairable or a total loss.
- If the vehicle is repairable, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay for your car to be fixed and provide you a comparable rental vehicle or pay for your loss of use while the vehicle is being repaired.
- If the cost to repair your vehicle is more than the “actual cash value” of the vehicle immediately before the damage, the insurance company will likely deem your vehicle a total loss. Tex. Transp. Code Sec. 501.091 (15).
If the other driver was at fault and is not insured or if you were at fault:
- If you were at fault for the accident or the other driver has no insurance, but you have collision coverage or Uninsured Motorist Insurance property damage coverage, you may make a claim on your own insurance policy. In this situation, your insurance company should repair your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
- You may have to pay a deductible when you make a claim on your own policy. However, your insurance company will try and recover its costs and your deductible from the other driver’s insurance company through a process called subrogation.
Get Legal Support
Finally, seek representation from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Every accident is different, and a skilled attorney can help you navigate this crisis and relieve the stress and hardship that accompanies a car accident. The longer you wait to get help, the harder it is for the attorney to provide that help.
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Funk & Associates as soon as possible.
