Houston is jam-packed with acclaimed attractions, from the Space Center and Houston Zoo to an array of world-class museums. Accidents are stressful when they happen on your home turf, but if you’re injured while on vacation in Houston, the stress level ratchets up to 11.
Below, an injury lawyer in Houston, Texas, explains what to do if you’re hurt while touring the city.
Report the Accident
As soon as possible, contact the police to file an accident report (if you’ve had a car accident). If you’ve had a slip-and-fall accident, file an accident report with the property owner or manager. Filing an accident report is important because it establishes the basic facts of your case. Your attorney will use the report to bolster your claim.
Collect Evidence
If you’re able, collect useful evidence at the scene. For a car accident, that evidence might include pictures of the vehicles involved, your injuries, and anything that may have contributed to the crash, such as obscured traffic signs or bad road conditions. For a slip-and-fall accident, take photos of the conditions that caused you to fall, such as spillage or wet floors.
Seek Medical Attention
If you have an accident in Houston, ideally, don’t wait until you return home to see a doctor. The sooner you visit a doctor, the easier it is to identify your injuries and collect medical documentation. Your injury lawyer in Houston, Texas, will need this documentation for your claim.
Understand Texas Personal Injury Laws
Texas’ personal injury laws may be quite different compared to the laws in your state or country. Our comparative negligence laws affect whether you’ll be able to collect compensation. In the Lone Star State, you can only recover damages if you’re 50% at fault or less for the accident.
You’ll also need to keep in mind the statute of limitations for filing a claim. Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to make a claim. There are a few rare exceptions, which your attorney can talk to you about.
Call Your Travel Insurance Provider
If you purchased travel insurance, call your insurance provider. Your agent can guide you through the process of finding a local doctor and making a claim.
You may also be able to rely on your auto or health insurance provider for help, although that depends on whether your provider covers out-of-state accidents.
Contact Your Home Country's Consulate or Embassy
Nothing’s scarier than suffering an injury while you’re away from your home country. That’s especially true if the accident was someone else’s fault.
Embassies and consulates are made for situations like these. Your home embassy or consulate can help you find medical services, explain local personal injury laws, and direct you to legal guidance for your case.
Contact an Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas
Typically, you must make a claim in the city and state where the accident happened. That means you cannot file a claim in your own state or country. You’ll need to find a Houston tourist injury attorney who is familiar with local personal injury laws — such as McLaurin Law, PLLC.
Our firm handles all types of personal injury cases, including auto accidents, boat accidents, slip-and-falls, wrongful death, and more. We understand how upsetting it is to be involved in an accident while you’re away from home.
We will work hard to make the claim process as stress-free as possible. Our attorneys are well-versed in assisting with insurance claims for out-of-town accidents in Houston.
For your legal consultation with an injury lawyer in Houston, Texas, call McLaurin Law, PLLC at 713-461-6500.
