What NOT to Do When You’ve Been in an Accident on the Freeway in Dallas

Birds eye view of an overpass during the dayAny type of car accident is terrifying. An accident on the Dallas Freeway, with motor vehicles flying past the accident scene at high speed, is even more horrific. Even if you and your passengers were not hurt in the crash, you could wind up injured – or worse – on the freeway. By knowing what to do and what not to do, your actions can make the difference between life, death and/or serious injury.

What Not to Do at the Scene of an Accident

Do not leave the scene. If your vehicle can still move, pull over to the side of the road off the freeway, and put on your flashers. If the vehicle cannot move, raise the hood, if possible. That indicates distress if it isn’t obvious the car is seriously damaged.

Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured. Do not attempt to drive an injured person to a hospital yourself. Call the police or the Texas Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 to report the accident. The Texas Department of Public Safety recommends exiting the vehicle from the passenger side, so no one exits onto the freeway. A Dallas freeway accident can back up traffic for miles. Stay calm and do not panic. Just make sure all people involved in the collision are in as safe an area as possible. Keep everyone off the highway. Nothing – not a pocketbook, phone or personal item left in the car – is worth getting hit trying to retrieve it.

Drivers Should Exchange Information

Assuming both drivers are conscious and able to communicate, under Texas state law they must exchange certain information. This includes:

  • Names and addresses

  • Insurance company names

  • Motor vehicle registration numbers

  • Drivers licenses

Don’t Avoid Medical Care

You may think you are fine, but many crash-related injuries don’t show up immediately. That includes whiplash, most often occurring in rear-end accidents. If you don’t go to the emergency room, make sure you schedule an appointment with a doctor within 24 hours. If you wait to seek medical attention, an insurance company may claim the injuries were not the result of the motor vehicle accident.

Do Not Agree to an Insurance Settlement before Speaking with a Lawyer

Under Texas law, you must contact your insurance company as possible and report the accident. While you must tell your insurer what happened, you do not have to accept any settlement offered right away. In fact, once you accept a settlement, you cannot renegotiate it. An insurance adjuster wants to settle for as little as possible – that’s their job. An attorney specializing in automobile accidents and personal injury knows what a fair settlement consists of depending on the circumstances of the event and any injuries occurring. An experienced attorney makes sure the client receives the compensation they deserve.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been involved in a Dallas freeway accident or any type of motor vehicle crash, you need the services of a personal injury attorney. Call Howie Law PC at 866-828-2028 or contact us for a free consultation. We will review your case and advise you of your options.

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