Who Should I Contact After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you should contact the emergency services, an attorney, and your insurance company. You may also want to contact a loved one so that they can support you.
Perhaps your most important phone call is the one you make to a law firm. Many personal injury law firms offer free consultations and so you should seek clarity about your next steps.
At Chris Morrow, PLLC, our goal is for car accident victims to be fully compensated for their expenses, both past and future, as well as their emotional pain and suffering. Our founding attorney, Chris Morrow, has been helping people like you secure the compensation they deserve since 1994. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we take a predetermined percentage of your settlement if we win. If your claim is not successful, we will not be paid anything.
Call us at 512-520-8100 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney in Texas.
Call the Emergency Services
After an accident, you should first check yourself for injuries, if you believe you may be seriously hurt, then you should remain where you are until paramedics arrive. If you are able to check everyone else involved in the crash. If anyone requires immediate medical care, then call for an ambulance as quickly as possible.
Your own safety and then the safety of those around you is the most important thing after a crash. If the injuries are not severe, you can move yourself and others out of the way of any potential danger, such as oncoming traffic.
However, you should photograph the scene first if it is safe to do so. Even if you need to move your vehicle, you should not move far from the scene and should remain there until the police tell you that you can leave.
If the accident has caused injury, serious property damage, or a hazardous situation for other road users, then you must call the police to the scene. The police will mitigate any danger, including ensuring that other drivers are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They will also file a police report which will be important evidence for your claim.
If a police officer is not called to the scene, then you should still file an accident report with your local police department as soon as you can.
If you are not treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital from the scene of the accident, then you should get examined by a medical professional as quickly as possible. Not only will this prevent you from worsening your injuries, but it is also essential to your claim. You will not be able to make a personal injury claim without a medical report, and the sooner, the better, as it will be easier to establish that your injuries were a direct result of the accident.
Call a Loved One
After a car accident, you may want to contact a loved one for support. If they are close by then, they may be able to help you gather evidence from the scene and will drive you to the hospital if necessary.
However, you should refrain from going into detail about how the accident occurred at this early stage. You may not have all the information yet and should speak to an attorney first.
Contact Your Own Insurance Company
After a car accident, you are required to inform your insurance company; if you don’t do this in a timely manner, then it could affect your ability to file a claim. However, it is important to keep in mind that insurance companies are driven by profit, and if you give them any ammunition, such as admitting fault in any way or downplaying your injuries, then they may use this to lower the value of your car insurance claim.
Once you have secured legal representation, they will take over all negotiations with insurance companies, so you will not need to deal with them. They will have large legal teams who may work with your attorney to negotiate a fair settlement. However, if you are not ready to sign up for representation before you contact your insurance company, then you may need to contact them. If you do, you should not allow them to record you, and you should provide your insurance agent with the following details (and nothing more):
- Where and when the accident occurred.
- The other driver’s name, contact information, insurance company, and license plate registration.
- The responding police officers’ information.
If the insurance company asks you for more details, simply tell them that your attorney will be in touch.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Perhaps the most important call you will make will be to an attorney. They will take over the entire legal process, so you can focus on your recovery.
Choosing a law firm to call can feel like an overwhelming task. You should seek a free consultation so that you can find out about a potential attorney and determine whether they are a good fit for your case. It is important that you like your potential attorney, you may need to discuss sensitive issues with them, and you should feel confident that they have your best interests at heart.
Some questions you could ask a potential attorney to determine whether they are the right fit for your case include the following:
How much of your time is dedicated to car accident victims in Texas?
Many large law firms cover several states or practice more than one area of law, such as personal injury, criminal defense, and estate planning. When a law firm has a narrow focus, such as personal injury law in Texas, it means that all of its experience, resources, and experiences are relevant to your case.
Personal injury law varies between states, and it is good to have an attorney who has in-depth knowledge. At Chris Morrow, PLLC, we are dedicated to personal injury victims in Texas. We help car accident victims on a daily basis and have connections with experts who can aid your case. We have probably worked with the insurance companies and the court overseeing your case before which means that we can tailor our approach.
How soon can I expect a response if I have questions?
Although good attorneys may have full caseloads, they should still be prompt to answer your questions. At Chris Morrow, PLLC, we take a highly personalized approach. We will keep you engaged throughout your case and will always be prompt to answer your questions.
Can I see recommendations from your previous clients?
Good attorneys should have plenty of positive client reviews that they can show you. However, it is also a good idea to seek out independent reviews, such as those found on AVVO. AVVO review attorneys based on client recommendations, previous victories, awards, and length of practice. Chris Morrow has a rating of 9.0/10 and the highest possible client review score of 5*.
What level of experience do you have helping car accident victims in Texas?
The more experience your attorney has the more resources and knowledge they will have that can benefit your case. Chris Morrow has been representing car accident victims in Texas since 1994.
Do you have trial experience?
The majority of car accident claims are settled without the need for a trial, which is time-consuming and expensive. However, it is important that you have an attorney who is an experienced litigator, as this will ensure that they can support you regardless of what course your case takes. The threat of trial can also be a determining factor in whether insurance companies are willing to offer a fair settlement, and they often know which attorneys will take them to trial and which will not.
Chris Morrow has a reputation for being a strong litigator. Our law firm will fight a quick settlement where possible while always being prepared to go to trial if necessary to secure a just outcome.
What will legal representation cost me?
It is important that you know exactly where you stand before you hire a lawyer. At Cjhrios Morrow, PLLC, we work on a no-win no-fee basis. We will agree on a percentage with you that we will take if your claim is successful. If your claim does not succeed, we will not receive anything. We promise no upfront costs or hidden fees.
Who Should I Contact After a Car Accident? FAQ
What information do I need from the other driver(s)?
If your injuries allow, then you should ask all other drivers involved in the incident for information. You should ask for their name, contact information, insurance provider’s name and policy number, driver’s license details, and license plate. If a driver doesn’t own their vehicle, you should also ask for the owner’s information.
What evidence can I gather at the accident scene?
If your injuries allow, then you should try and gather some evidence from the scene. Photos are often the most valuable evidence, and you should try and capture the scene as a whole, all vehicles involved from all angles, any property damage, your injuries, and anything else of relevance, such as skid marks, road conditions, and hazards.
You should also ask for the witness’s name and contact information, as your attorney may contact them at a later date.
What should I say to the other driver’s insurance company if they call me?
You are not required to speak to the other driver’s insurance company. If you have representation and an insurance company contacts you, you should not speak to them at all. Simply tell them that your attorney will be in touch and give them your attorney’s contact information.
Do I need a car accident lawyer?
Although you have a right to pursue compensation on your own, it is not recommended. For one, it can be an incredibly stressful process if you do not have the knowledge and experience necessary, and you should be focusing on your recovery. It is also worth knowing that most personal injury victims who have representation receive a higher settlement even after their legal fees are taken, thanks to the help they receive.
Can I claim if I am partially to blame for the accident?
Yes. Texas operates under modified comparative fault, which means that if you were less than 50% at fault for the accident, you could still make a claim. It is important to speak to an attorney even if you believe you could be at fault. They will review your case to see if you could have a claim. If you are assigned a percentage of fault, then your settlement will be reduced to reflect this. Your attorney will ensure that you are not assigned fault unfairly and that the facts of the case are established.
How long will it take to receive compensation after a car accident?
Every case is unique; some are over in a matter of months, while others take over a year. When you seek a free consultation, an experienced attorney will be able to assess how long your case could take based on your specific circumstances.
Chris Morrow PLLC – The Attorney That Works!
Medical bills can quickly accumulate after an accident, and when combined with lost wages, the situation can often feel overwhelming. That is why it is important to contact an experienced car accident attorney as quickly as possible. They will give you clear advice and will take over the legal process so that you can focus on your recovery.
At Chris Morrow, PLLC, we are committed to securing full compensation for car accident victims. We will ensure that your emotional pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment in life are reflected in your settlement. If your injuries are on-going, then we will also ensure that your future medical expenses and lost income are also accounted for.
We offer a free consultation and work on a no-win no-fee basis. So do not hesitate to contact us today and find out how we can help.
Call today at 512-520-8100.
