What should I do immediately after a car accident?

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A recent report from Allstate Insurance notes that Dallas ranks below the top 200 largest cities for number of safe driving records. The report was based on auto accident claim data collected by the insurance company. This denotes an improvement from 2017, when Dallas was ranked the third most dangerous city for drivers according to a study by auto insurance companies.

Additionally, information reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 14.47 people per 100,000 died on Dallas freeways in 2017 — an average of two people killed each week. There were 31,650 car accidents in 2018 in the city of Dallas. These car accidents involved 194 fatal mishaps that resulted in 202 deaths.

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

Contact the police

It doesn’t matter if it seems like a minor problem, document the accident with the police. Know that vehicle damage isn’t always easy to see without a mechanic’s investigation. Even if you are not injured, you may be stressed or upset, so ask a police officer to complete a detailed accident report, this will serve as evidence in a claim and / or lawsuit with an insurance company to recover damages.

Gather information at the scene

Use your cell phone to take photos of the accident and any visible injuries sustained by you or your passengers. Exchange your driver’s license, insurance and contact information with the other parties, but don’t talk about who may be at fault.

Seeking medical treatment

You may think you are not injured from the car accident, but see a doctor and get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible. Explain to the doctor that you were in a car accident so he or she can properly document the case. Remember that serious injuries may not be immediately apparent, and symptoms may not develop for days or weeks. Monitor how you feel for the next few days and see your doctor if your condition worsens.

Contact your insurer

Contact your insurance company to tell them that you have been in a car accident. Keep a record of your conversations, and if the other driver’s insurance company asks you to disclose or accept a settlement, reject it and refer it to your Dallas car accident attorney.