Being in a car accident can be an awful experience no matter where you’re sitting in the vehicle. But as a backseat passenger, you have less control over the situation and may not know what steps to take after a collision occurs. This is especially true if you’re a child or teen riding with friends or family.
If you want to know what to do if you’re in the backseat of a car and you get into an accident in Houston, Texas, follow these tips to stay safe and protect your rights.
Assess Your Injuries
The first priority is making sure you receive prompt medical attention if you’re injured. Adrenaline and shock can mask symptoms, so don’t assume you’re unharmed. Conduct a mental scan of your body and look for any potential signs of injury, like pain, bruising, cuts, limping, or inability to move a body part. Speak up right away and notify the driver or other passengers if you notice any concerning symptoms.
Even if you believe you’re uninjured, it’s still a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding have delayed onset and may not manifest for hours or days after an accident. Have a medical professional examine you to rule out any underlying issues. Document your visit and keep records of medical bills, treatment instructions, and diagnostic test results.
Check on the Other Passengers
After making sure you receive medical care, check on the health and safety of the other passengers in the vehicle if you’re able. Offer assistance if anyone appears seriously injured and in need of immediate help. Call 911 if an ambulance is required.
Provide a Statement to the Police
When the police arrive on scene, cooperate fully with their investigation. Be truthful when answering questions but stick to just the facts about what happened. Speculation and blame statements can negatively impact a future injury claim. Provide your name and contact information so the officer can follow up with additional questions later. If you don’t feel up to giving an official statement due to your injuries, ask the officer if you can provide one later when you are feeling better.
Seek Witnesses
The more witnesses there are to the accident, the better. Ask bystanders if they saw the collision occur and would be willing to give a statement to police or an attorney. Get their full names and contact information. Witnesses will strengthen your case if you need to prove the other driver was at fault for causing the accident.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Contact an experienced Houston car accident lawyer for advice and legal help even if your injuries seem minor. An attorney can conduct a full investigation into the accident, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf and make sure you receive fair compensation for both your medical bills and pain and suffering damages. They will handle the complicated legal process so you can focus on healing.
Document Evidence from the Scene
Use your smartphone to take photos of damage to the vehicles, skid marks on the roadway, weather conditions, and anything else relevant to how the crash occurred. This evidence can help prove exactly what happened for an insurance or legal claim. Avoid capturing graphic images of injuries or fatalities out of respect for the privacy of victims.
Exchange Information
Get the names, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, phone numbers, and insurance details from all drivers involved. This info is crucial for determining liability and contacting the appropriate insurance providers. Ask the police officer for a copy of the accident report, which contains this key information.
Consult a Doctor
Even if emergency responders check you out at the scene, you still need to follow up with your own doctor. Internal injuries, sprains, fractures, concussions, and spinal cord damage can have delayed onset. A proper diagnosis requires imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs along with a full examination. Don’t refuse ambulance transport to an ER if recommended by EMS.
Report the Accident to Insurance Companies
Notify your own auto insurance provider and the insurer of the at-fault driver about the accident as soon as possible. Provide an accurate account of what happened and follow all instructions for obtaining repair estimates, scheduling inspections, submitting claims, and disbursement of settlement funds. Have your attorney handle communications if you retained one.
Stay Off Social Media
Do not post anything about the accident on social networks or websites until the case is resolved. Insurance companies can use photos, videos, comments, and statements to discredit injuries or reduce settlement offers. Even sympathetic words of support from friends can be misconstrued. Respectfully ask others not to post about the collision online either.
Keep Detailed Records
Maintain detailed written records about the accident, your injuries, medical treatment, missed work, and other losses. These records will serve as proof for negotiating fair settlement offers. Keep copies of all accident-related documents, bills, receipts, correspondence, and insurance paperwork.
Focus on Healing
Following a car accident, it’s normal to experience stress, anxiety, trouble sleeping, anger, and other emotional issues. Mental health counseling and support groups can help work through these difficulties. Don’t push yourself to recover too quickly. Listen to your body and take it slow to avoid re-injury. Let your Houston personal injury lawyer handle legal matters so you can devote your energy to healing.
Hire an Experienced Houston Car Accident Attorney
Having a skilled car accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference in obtaining maximum compensation. The attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have helped victims recover hundreds of millions of dollars and know how to thoroughly investigate accidents and build a strong legal case. We handle communications with insurance companies and aggressively pursue full and fair settlement amounts to cover medical expenses, lost income, vehicle damage, and suffering. Contact our office at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) for a free case evaluation from a dedicated Houston accident attorney.
