What Should You Do Following An Automobile Accident? 

Auto Accident Lawyer

When you have been in an auto accident in Texas, you may wonder what kinds of rights you have when it comes to getting compensation and what kinds of responsibilities you have when you are at the scene of an accident. Understandably, when someone else caused the accident to happen you want to hold them accountable for their actions, especially when you have financial losses from the accident. When you have been in an accident, learn more about the next steps to take and what you can do when finding the responsible party. 

What should you do following an automobile accident? 

When you have been in an automobile accident, there are certain things you should do. For example, in Texas, any driver who was involved in an accident that resulted in an injury, death, or serious vehicle damage must call the local police department or sheriff’s office to report the accident.

What is the statute of limitations for automobile accidents? 

When you want to file a lawsuit against another party after a car accident, you will only have a certain amount of time to do so. Typically, in Texas, you must file a car accident lawsuit within two years from the accident occurring, as a lawyer like an automobile accident lawyer, can explain. 

Am I legally obligated to call my insurance company and report the accident? 

While most states do not typically have laws stating whether or not a person must report an accident to their car insurance company, you should take a closer look at the contract you signed with your insurance company. Reporting to your insurance company is not the same as speaking with the other party’s insurance agent. Your insurance company will likely be looking for evidence to show that you were not responsible because this will point to the other party’s insurance when it comes time to pay for the expenses. 

What is the “modified comparative fault” rule? 

When a person is in an automobile accident in any state, that state will have its own rules regarding how to determine what a person pays. Texas is known as a modified comparative fault state. Thus, if one party ran a red light a court may find them to be 90% at fault for the accident. If the other party was eating a sandwich while driving, the court may find that they were distracted and 10% at fault for the accident. So, if you are 10% responsible for the accident, your damages awarded will be reduced by 10%. Whatever your situation, working with a local attorney can help when you need guidance and legal aid for your case.