Three Things You Should Do After a Wreck

In the vast majority of cases, any Dallas car accident you get into will involve another driver that wants to handle it by following the rules. There will be cases, however, where someone will try to take advantage of you following the wreck. Here are some ways that you can protect yourself from these types of individuals.

1. Get Their Plate Number

As soon as you can, get their plate number and write it down. If they decide to turn it into a hit-and-run, you'll want to make sure you give the police some way to track them down. This is particularly the case if you're in a wreck where your car takes the most damage and where the cars don't end up next to each other following the accident. It's easy for someone to just drive off and try to avoid the situation altogether.

2. Keep Your Story Straight

You remember what happened in the lead up to the wreck and you don't need to review it with the other driver. The best bet is not to say anything at all. Just make sure everything is alright and give your report to the police, if required, when they show up. This is the best way to avoid inadvertently saying something that implies that you were at fault for the crash when that wasn't the case.

3. Stay Calm

Don't go off the handle because of the wreck. If everyone is all right, and there is only property damage involved, consider yourself lucky. A huge number of people die in car wrecks every year, and many more are previously injured. If the other driver is a hothead, get some space from them so that the situation doesn't escalate. Call the police right away if this happens. Being on the phone with 911 will usually make the other driver think twice before they make the situation worse.

A good vehicle accident lawyer can help you as soon as the crash is over. It's best to call them right away to make sure that they can get on the case as soon as possible. They will have to consult with you first to make sure that it's actually not you who is at fault for the wreck. If the other driver was negligent, they may want you as a client and they'll start working on the case as soon as possible.

If you would like to learn even more about protecting your rights after an accident, request Jeff's invaluable book on vehicle accidents.

Inside his FREE book, The Insider’s Legal Guide: Biggest Mistakes Drivers Make After an Accident, Dallas personal injury attorney Jeffrey Rasansky explains the mistakes that drivers frequently make after an accident.

You will find valuable information about:

• Tips and tricks for dealing with the insurance company

• Texas driving statistics
• Insurance claims “do’s” and “don’ts”
• Common insurance tactics
• Mistakes that can wreck your car accident case
• When to hire a lawyer