If a drunk driver caused your auto accident, he is fully liable to compensate you for your injuries and property damage under Texas laws. However, you can make mistakes that reduce the value of your claim even if you did nothing wrong to cause your collision or your injuries. Here, we explain common mistakes that drunk driving accident victims make in Grapevine that you want to avoid.
Seven Errors Not to Make When You Are Injured in a Grapevine Drunk Driving Collision
When you make mistakes in your drunk driving accident case, the errors will most likely not prevent you from obtaining compensation for your injuries. However, it can make it difficult for even an experienced car crash attorney to negotiate a settlement for all that you deserve. Here are mistakes to avoid if at all possible:
Not seeking medical care.
If you fail to obtain prompt medical care, you could be jeopardizing your health and giving the insurance company ammunition to argue that your injuries were caused by an incident other than your crash. Some injuries caused in drunk driving wrecks—back and neck injuries and traumatic brain injury are a few—can take days or longer before you realize that you suffered injuries.
Not contacting the police.
You could lose vital information about the other driver, witnesses, and the officer’s conclusions as to the drunk driver’s negligence if you do not contact the Grapevine Police Department and obtain the police report. In addition, this could lead to arguments with the driver’s insurance adjuster as to whether your wreck really occurred.
Not obtaining contact information.
You could lose the contact information for the driver and his insurance company if you do not obtain it at the scene. In addition, neutral witnesses who could corroborate how the wreck occurred could disappear or have their memories fade if you do not immediately obtain their contact information.
Not taking pictures.
Pictures at the crash scene of the damage to the vehicles, your injuries, and the scene can be persuasive evidence to the insurance adjuster and a jury if you must take your case to trial. If pictures are not taken right away, you are losing valuable evidence that shows how the wreck occurred.
Admitting fault.
You need to be very careful what you say after your wreck. Even innocent statements, such as “I’m sorry,” can be misinterpreted as an admission of fault.
Accepting a quick settlement.
If you settle your claim quickly, you could be settling it for far less than you are owed. Unfortunately, once you settle your case, your settlement is final and cannot be renegotiated if you later discover that you suffered more serious injuries. It is best to wait until you know the full extent of your injuries and have the advice of an experienced car crash attorney before resolving your drunk driving claim.
Not retaining an attorney.
One of the biggest mistakes you could make is not retaining an experienced attorney soon after your wreck. He can investigate your crash and preserve evidence, guide you through the process of filing your claim so you avoid other common mistakes, and negotiate your settlement so that you receive what you deserve.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?
If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
We help victims of drunk drivers throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.
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