Regardless of the size, a car wreck is an event that most people will experience at least once in their lifetime. Driving is one of the biggest risks we all take during our day-to-day activities. That's why the state of Texas requires insurance, and that's why at Glenn Law Firm there is a Fort Worth car wreck lawyer ready to help you navigate the complexities of this difficult time.
The Various Kinds Of Crashes
Rear-End Collisions
As the name suggests, a rear-end collision occurs when one car hits another from behind. There are numerous causes of these types of crashes: drivers who are distracted and not giving their driving the attention it requires, drivers who are following too close (or “tailgating”), drivers who over-react and slam on the brakes, and others. While a lot of folks think that a driver who runs into the back of a car is automatically at-fault, that's not necessarily the case. Sure, it is usually true, but like the case of the driver who overreacts and hits the brake suddenly without justification—it may actually be the one who “got rear-ended” who legally caused the crash. If you happen to be a victim of a wreck of this type, a Fort Worth car wreck attorney can help you understand the legal issues involved in cases like this.
Head-On Collisions
Head-collisions are probably the most violent type of car crash that exists. Like rear-end accidents, the description is right there in the name: this occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions run into each other, often at high speeds. These typically occur when one driver is driving the wrong way on the wrong side of road. Recent statistics show that nearly 600 people were killed in head on collisions in Texas in 2019.
T-Bone Accidents
T-Bones are another particularly violent type of car wreck. Also as its name suggests: a T-bone occurs when one car drives directly into the side of another—forming a letter T when viewed from above. One of the most common ways this type of accident occurs is when someone runs a red light. While it might seem as though the person who hits the side of the other car is at fault, this is not always the case. Consider a car that runs a red light and forces someone else who was driving through a green light to crash into them. Proving your case in a wreck like this can result in a he-said-she-saidtype of incident, and this is one area where a Fort Worth car wreck attorney can be especially helpful.
Sideswipe Collisions
While sideswipe collisions may seem less serious than the previously listed types of accidents, that isn't always true. Sideswipe wrecks often result in one or more drivers being pushed or run off the road, causing them to collide with all sorts of obstacles.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
Single vehicle collisions are often forgotten about in the discussion, but these can be very serious as well. These can involve a vehicle colliding with an obstacle in the road, a barrier, and drunk driving can also be a cause. Nonetheless, there may still be compensation available to you depending on the circumstances. These are issues an experienced Fort Worth injury lawyer can help you navigate and understand.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
What the involved parties do after an accident can sometimes decide the result of the claims and/or charges that follow. For example, fleeing the scene of the accident can result in a charge of hit-and-run, and it drastically reduces one's credibility in any later legal proceedings. In this vein, here are some things to consider if you're ever involved in a wreck.
Call 911 and Remain at the Scene
The urge to leave a scene as stressful as a car wreck can be strong, but it's important to remember that the law expects you to stay and make sure the scene is handled properly. This typically involves calling 911 to have an officer respond and make a police report. An official report is important because you want to ensure that an accurate record of what took place is created. An officer's crash report becomes a valuable piece of evidence if a dispute arises later. Also, for safety's sake, you will want to move your vehicle off the road, onto the shoulder, or into the slow lane of traffic if possible. (However, do not put yourself in danger to do so!)
Check for Injuries
Checking for injuries is another important thing to do. When in an accident, it is more than likely that you will have an adrenaline response. When this happens, you may not be able to recognize all the ways you may be hurt. First, check yourself to see whether you sustained any wounds. Next, check those around you. After you leave the scene, you will want to see your medical provider to rule out internal injuries—even you feel fine. As Fort Worth injury lawyers, we have seen many cases where car wreck victims' injuries did not present until days later.
Gather The Available Evidence
As already hinted at above, evidence is extremely important in legal proceedings and insurance claims. Taking pictures of the cars, the location, any wreckage, your injuries, the injuries to others, and any other details can be essential down the road. Another thing you should do is talk with any witnesses and write down their contact information. You may need to call on them to tell the truth about what happened.
Exchange Information
It is best practice to swap information (insurance cards, contact details, licenses, registration numbers, etc.) at the scene of an accident. Especially these days where it's as easy as taking a picture of one another's licenses and insurance cards on your cell phones—there's no reason not to do so. Having this information accurately and readily available can help a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer fight for you to get you the full compensation you are owed.
Contact a Fort Worth Personal Injury Law Firm
At Glenn Law Firm, we have fought for injured drivers to get them the full compensation they are owed for decades. A Fort Worth car accident lawyer would be happy to receive your call and provide you with a free case analysis. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there is absolutely no upfront cost to you. Please feel free to call us at (817) 424-5999 or fill out the online submission form on this site.