No one plans or expects to be involved in a road carnage. However, accidents are inevitable, and they can happen to any of us at any time whether or not we expect it. Accidents have always been there since time immemorial. In the United States, there are alarming reports and statistics showing how prevalent car accidents have become. The statistics point at the depressing number of people getting injured or dead on our roads.
Experienced car accident attorneys in Dallas, TX are well aware of the depressing car accident statistics. The Texas Department of Transportation reported an alarming report in 2019, which showed the following situation regarding car accidents in Dallas:
- More than 103 fatal crashes were reported, out of which 185 people died.
- A total of 908 suspected serious crashes resulted in 1,122 serious injuries.
- Over 3,697 non-incapacitating accidents were reported out which resulted in 5,083 non-incapacitating injuries.
- More than 7,470 injury-related accidents resulted in more than 12,575 possible injuries
- An estimated 36,862 total crashes were reported this year.
Car accidents are highly prevalent in urban areas and account for more than 94,000 of the total crashes, each year where an estimated 97,546 collisions involved two or more vehicles. Each day in Dallas, an estimated 29 people died out of the daily crashes reported in Texas. While many factors contribute to accidents, the bottom line is that accidents are inevitable, and no one is safe, not even you. Therefore, the only way to safeguard your rights should you find yourself in an unfortunate situation is to prepare for any eventuality. The following are some legal and recommended ways to ensure your rights are protected following an accident.
Know Your Rights As An Accident Victim
Following an accident in which you were injured due to the other party’s negligence, you hold specific rights that are non-negotiable, as provided by the experienced car accident lawyers at Angel Reyes & Associates.
Right To Legal Compensation for Your Physical Injuries
Legally you have a right to receive compensation for the injuries you sustained from a car accident or your property that was damaged due to the crash. If you suffered severe bodily injuries resulting from the accident, you have a right to pursue compensation against the responsible parties using legal means.
The Right To Notify The Authorities
By law, you have a right to contact the police after an accident. The police must be notified so they can assess the accident and file a police report. The police report is a very crucial piece of evidence necessary when you are pursuing a personal injury claim.
The Right To Seek Evidence From Witnesses
No one should stop you from seeking additional evidence from people who witnessed the crash. You have a right to ask them for their contact information and address so they can give testimony in court should you be compelled to sue the responsible parties. Additionally, they should tell their version of the story to law enforcement officers so that their testimony is included in the police report.
You Have A Right To Collect Evidence
In this era of smartphones, you can take as much photographic evidence as possible about the accident. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, the damage to your property or vehicle, the vehicle involved in the accident, etc. Also include pictures of your injuries, skid marks, and road conditions.
You have the right To Seek Medical Help
After an accident, the most critical step is to seek professional medical attention as soon as possible. You deserve to receive medical treatment for your injuries.
You Have The Right To Remain Silent Except In The Presence Of Car Accident Attorneys
This is your legal right whether you are arrested or involved in an accident. By law, you don’t have to say anything to anyone, especially if the same thing you say may be used against you during a personal injury claim. You have the right to remain silent and only speak in the presence of a car accident attorney.
What To Avoid After An Accident
Following an accident, there are a few things you should avoid by all means since they may compromise your compensation claim. Theses are:
Admit anything – the parties responsible or answers able to your accident may try to manipulate you into admitting something that may be used against you when you file a personal injury claim.
Leaving the accident scene– Only leave if you are seriously injured and need urgent medical attention. Also, you should leave under the care of professional rescuers or emergency personnel. Otherwise, you should remain at the scene and wait for the police to arrive.
Agreeing to a private settlement – the parties liable to your accident may attempt to offer you a quick payment to prevent you from filing a legal claim. Don’t settle for such as the offer may be too little to cover for your damages. You have a right to receive a just and reasonable settlement.
Finally, you have a right to seek justice.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company is not willing to honor your rights as an accident victim by giving you just compensation, you have the right to contact car accident attorneys in Dallas for legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
