According to the Texas Department of Transportation, “the annual vehicle miles traveled in Texas during 2021 reached 288.227 billion, an increase of 10.61% over the 260.580 billion traveled in 2020.” Texans drive a lot. The state statistics show that there were 15,764 serious injury crashes in Texas in 2021 with 19,448 people sustaining a serious injury. Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts Calendar Year 2021 (txdot.gov)
You’ve Been Hit. Now What?
If you or a loved one suspects injury, it’s important to have a healthcare provider assess you. That may mean calling EMS in the event a serious injury is suspected, or obtaining an evaluation as soon as practical.
One personal experience— while waiting behind an SUV in a congested parking lot, the SUV in front of me attempted to reverse and go around a lane of cars. The SUV hit my car. It was a minor accident. I knew police would not come to a private parking lot and take down information in this circumstance. However, I did want a record for my insurance company. I asked the woman to speak with me. I obtained her license and insurance and contact information. She insisted that she had to leave immediately for an emergency. I said that was okay. However, I insisted that she provide a statement of how the accident happened. I took my cell phone out. I recited how the accident occurred. I asked her if she disagreed. She said no, and she confirmed my recitation of the accident. However, when I reported this accident to her insurance to fix my car, she denied all responsibility. I sent the company the video of her stating that she backed into my car, and the insurance company promptly paid for the damage to my car.
Document the Accident!
If you can safely, it’s a good idea to take a statement from the other driver, so the recitation of the accident doesn’t change. If it’s possible to have the police document the accident, it’s a good idea to have that on record, so that the insurance company does not get a different version of the facts. Moreover, it’s a good idea to take photos of the scene of the accident too. This way there is no disagreement about where the cars were at the time of the accident.
It’s important to hire a lawyer experienced with negotiating with difficult insurance companies and defense attorneys. Choosing the right lawyer may often be the difference in making an injured party whole, holding the at-fault party responsible, and taking care of the injuries and catastrophic consequences of an accident. I have a unique experience in evaluating medical malpractice claims, addressing medical defenses, and familiarity with medical minutia, and I bring that same degree of care and preparedness from brain injured minors to serious car wreck victims.