#Auto Accidents

Car Accident Attorneys – Auto Crash Lawyers

August 2, 2024August 4, 2024 By Stephen Baldwin

This Blog was brought to you by The Carabin Shaw Law Firm – Call Shaw! – Personal Injury Lawyers San Antonio

Car Accident Attorneys – Auto Crash Lawyers

A common misconception about car accidents is that it does not happen to “good drivers”. Of course, this is not the case as even the most careful drivers can, through no fault of their own, sometimes be involved in a car accident. In light of this, it is vital that all drivers are prepared and know the important steps to take in the unfortunate event that they are involved in a car accident. More about our Car Accident Lawyers here

If you have been involved in a car accident, or any motor vehicle accident for that matter, be sure to follow these important steps:

1. Remain calm.

It is very normal to feel upset and anxious if you have just been involved in an accident. However, it is important to try to keep your cool, otherwise, you might forget crucial information and details that can be very useful down the road.

2. Seek medical attention.

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance to be sent to the scene if you or someone else is injured. It is important to note that, sometimes, it is not immediately obvious if you or the other party (ies) involved in the accident are injured. For this reason, it is a wise decision to call an ambulance even if you think (but are not certain) that you or the other involved party (ies) may be injured. Got Injured In An Accident – CALL SHAW

3. Contact local police authorities.

It is important to file a police report as quickly after the accident as possible to document the facts accurately and to ensure that crucial details and / or information are not forgotten. This is also a key step in ascertaining the party at fault.
When speaking with the police, always be sure to conduct yourself in a polite manner and never, even if you think that you may be responsible, don’t admit fault for the accident. On the other hand, do be sure to let the police know if you think that someone was driving impaired or distracted. Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police have given you permission to do so.

4. Collect all relevant information.

After leaving the scene of an accident, it becomes increasingly difficult to gather critical information from those involved in the collision. For this reason, it is crucial that you collect all relevant information from drivers, passengers, witnesses, and pedestrians. The information that you will need from those involved in the accident includes:
o Full names
o Addresses
o Phone numbers
o License plate numbers
o Make and model of cars
o Insurance status of the driver
o Name of the person to whom the vehicle is registered

It is also important to record the names and contact details of any witnesses.

5. Collect witness statements.

If you can identify anyone who may have seen the accident take place then you will want to obtain their names and contact information as soon as possible. Make sure that you do not discuss the accident with them but, rather, ask them questions about what they have witnessed. For example, ask them what they saw, if they saw the other driver operating their vehicle negligently, if they have seen any other accidents at that location or if they overheard the other party (ies) involved say anything. It is possible that a witness may have overheard the other party (ies) admit guilt. Make sure that you write down all of the information that the witness relays to you as it may help you with your case.

6. DO NOT ADMIT FAULT.

This is very important. Your admitting fault, whether you believe it to be true or not, can significantly and negatively impact your rights and the outcome of your case. Admitting fault can take the form of blatantly stating so or even by apologizing. Do not apologize to anyone, including the police.

7. Do not speak to insurance companies or sign any documents.

Do not give statements about the accident or your injuries to anyone except for the police, your doctor, or your lawyer.
Giving statements to insurance companies without your lawyer’s approval can be detrimental to your case.
It is also imperative that you do not sign any documents without your lawyer’s advice unless it is for the police or your own insurance agent.

8. Take pictures of the scene of the accident.

If you have a cell phone it is a good idea to take pictures of the accident scene including damage to vehicles, injuries, skid marks and street signs. If you do not have access to a camera on your phone, or another electronic device (i.e. tablet) then you might want to consider keeping a digital or disposable camera in your glove compartment.

9. Make notes about the accident.

To ensure that no potentially important pieces of information fall through the cracks, it is a good idea to make notes about the accident as soon after it occurs as possible. You might want to include the following details:
o Time accident occurred
o Weather conditions
o Names and badge numbers of responding police officers
o Vehicle condition (before and after the accident)

You can also inquire as to whether the opposing party’s (ies’) vehicle had any damage prior to the accident, for example, non-functioning brake lights. It can also be important to ask if any of the vehicles involved in the accident were company-owned. Lastly, be sure to make a note of any individuals who have admitted fault or are taking the blame for the incident.

10. Contact your insurance company.

Call your insurance company and let them know that you have been involved in a car accident. Make sure to cooperate with and be polite to your insurance agent. However, if you find that your insurance company is being uncooperative then it is important to seek legal advice immediately. We have a number of skilled and compassionate personal injury lawyers who have years of experience dealing with insurance companies. We can help you right away; Give us a call today!

11. Call our attorney as soon as possible.

If you have been injured, or a loved one has been injured or killed, as a result of a motor vehicle accident then you need to act quickly. It is possible that your right to seek compensation from the liable individual and / or business may be compromised if you delay action. Our personal injury lawyers at our firm can help you understand your legal rights and fight for the compensation that you deserve!
When you are represented by our Personal Injury Lawyers, we help ease the financial burden. We do not ask you for any money upfront, and we only get paid if we make a recovery in your case.

Do not wait; call our Personal Injury Lawyers today for a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL consultation!

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#Auto Accidents

Compensation for Car Accident Injuries

May 26, 2019July 16, 2019 By Stephen Baldwin

Most people take reasonable precautions to defend against unexpected disasters by insuring their homes and vehicles, providing medical insurance for the family and many include life insurance to cover all contingencies. You may have been assured that if disaster strikes, all it takes is one phone call to your insurance company. When a serious car accident results in severe or even catastrophic injuries, the reality of how insurance companies deal with such an event may prove very different than you expected. At a time like this, you need to consult a respected personal injury attorney who can work to help you gain the compensation you are due.

Auto Accident Lawyer

Severe injuries such as brain injuries, eye injuries, disfigurement, serious burn injuries, and spine injuries often require the attention of specialists and a number of surgical procedures. The medical expenses which result can soon become enormous. When extensive medical care or life-long treatment is needed the costs may exceed the limits on your medical insurance policy. Contrary to all the advertising you see and read, insurance companies are in business to show a profit at the end of the year. Paying out large amounts in injury or wrongful death claims only reduces their profits. Insurance adjusters are well trained in how to keep the amount of their offer to a minimum and in estimating how small an amount that an injured person might be talked into accepting as a settlement. An auto accident lawyer at our firm is experienced in the various tactics used by insurance companies and aggressively pursues full recovery of all damages.

Severe injuries can take a long time to heal, in some cases years. If your injuries were caused by the negligent behavior of another your claim for compensation may include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages and loss of future earnings, and other costs directly related to the accident as well as distress, pain and suffering, and other general damages. Talk to a skilled personal injury attorney at our firm who is prepared to fight to ensure you obtain the maximum in compensation.

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#Auto Accidents

Protecting the Rights of Car Accident Victims is our Number One Priority

November 14, 2018July 16, 2019 By Stephen Baldwin

Being involved in a serious car accident can be devastating to a victim and his or her family. While the accident itself and the injuries caused by the accident are more than enough for any victim to handle, dealing with unfair insurance adjusters, and responsibilities arising out of an auto accident make for an extremely unpleasant experience.

Our experienced car accident attorneys advise victims of motor vehicle accidents to speak to legal counsel as soon as practicable. Protecting your rights is our number one priority. This all starts with gathering evidence at the scene, such as measuring skid marks and obtaining witness statements. There may be a need to take photographs that can preserve critical evidence.

When The Insurance Company Downplays your Injuries

The insurance company for the driver who caused the accident is going to be experienced in dealing with injury and property damage claims. They will be gearing up for the prospect of litigation from the moment they are notified of an injury claim. These insurance companies will often deamand a tape-recorded statement. Without an experienced auto accident lawyer, you are at risk of being taken advantage of. Any recorded statement is only for the benefit of the insurance company, not for your benefit.

Insurance adjusters may also request a signed medical release from the injury victim. That allows the insurance company to obtain any of your medical records, regardless of whether they are related to the accident or not. This is unfair! More often than not, the insurance companies of the driver that caused the accident will NOT pay for your medical expenses or authorize you to seek skilled medical care. They are under no legal obligation to do so until there is a resolution of the entire injury claim.

Damage to Your Vehicle

A question that usually arises soon after an accident occurs regards getting your vehicle fixed, or being paid for the damage done to your vehicle in the accident.

Auto Accidents Lawyers

Insurance companies typically address these property damage claims soon after the accident. Insurance companies love to argue over property damage claims also.

Particularly, they will argue that your vehicle isn’t worth as much as you may think…or they will attempt to fix your vehicle with used second-hand parts.

Don’t fall for the games of the insurance claims adjuster. Get the experience of our law firm on your side. After all, our car accident lawyers are recognized as leaders in personal injury litigation by our peers. Our attorneys are consistently featured in legal periodicals, local newspapers, and have been interviewed by the media on countless occasions.

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Auto Accidents