The holiday season is upon us, and for many Texas residents, that means road trips to visit family and friends. In fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimated that about 100 million Americans will be traveling this holiday season, and many will choose to drive thanks to the low gas prices.
Unfortunately, more vehicles on the roads and highways mean a greater chance of being involved in a wreck. There are steps you can take to help prevent an accident such as getting your vehicle serviced and driving cautiously, but some accidents caused by other drivers simply cannot be avoided.
In these cases, you need to know what action to take in order to protect your rights and get the compensation that you deserve. Here is a quick cheat sheet of what to do, and what not to do, following a wreck:
DO:
- Get the other driver’s information, including license plate, name, driver’s license number, address, phone number and insurance information.
- Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible, who can provide valuable documentation of your injuries.
- Get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can explain your rights and make sure you get full and fair compensation for your injuries.
DON’T:
- Admit fault to the other driver at the scene of the accident as there could be contributing factors that you are unaware of at the time.
- Agree to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, who will try to minimize the damages you are entitled to if your attorney is not present.
- Give in to pressure from an insurance company, including your own, which will try to get you agree to a settlement as soon as possible.
Keep these basic steps in mind and rest assured that even if a wreck derails your holiday plans, you will be protected and your legal rights will be preserved.
Happy holidays and safe travels to all!
