It’s a tale as old as time: There’s been a car accident, and as soon as the other driver steps out of their vehicle, they immediately start blaming you, even if you’re clearly not at fault. You may think the truth will win out, but if that driver is convincing enough, the insurance company could take their side.
Stay Calm
If the other driver embellishes their story or flat-out lies, your first reaction will probably be anger. You know the truth, and how dare this driver make up stories to avoid liability?
No matter how furious you are, it’s important to stay calm. This is especially true when dealing with police at the scene of the crash. Becoming belligerent and yelling at officers does nothing to help your case, and anything you say could end up in the police report.
Gather Evidence That You Were Not at Fault
A vehicle accident lawyer in Texas will tell you that gathering evidence is the smartest way to prove that the other driver is lying about the crash. You can start by taking pictures of the accident scene with your phone.
Pictures of your car and the car that hit you are important evidence. You should also scan the scene for anything that might have contributed to the crash, such as broken traffic lights or construction equipment left on the road.
Witness statements make for excellent evidence as well. Even if the other driver lies, this can be contradicted with the help of several credible witnesses.
When talking to witnesses, ask for their contact information so your Texas car crash lawyer can reach them later.
Ask for a Copy of the Police Report
When there’s an accident, a police officer will usually show up to make a report. Your Texas car accident attorney can tell you how to request a copy of this report, and you can ask for the officer to make changes if you believe the statements within it are wrong.
Again, stay calm and amicable while talking to the investigating officer. Simply point out what happened, and provide evidence if you have it.
Give Your Side of the Story to the Insurance Company
This is the part of the process that trips many accident victims up. The insurance company will call to learn your side of the story, but remember that the adjuster isn’t your friend. They’ll ask probing questions and word things in a confusing way to push you into admitting fault.
Of course, they don’t expect you to say outright, “I caused the accident.” Rather, they might ask things like “How are you feeling?” or “Are you sure you weren’t speeding even a little? Everyone does; we understand.”
How you answer these questions has a big impact on your settlement. If the adjuster thinks you’re at fault, you might not end up with any compensation.
Hire Car Collision Legal Help
Hiring motor vehicle accident legal support is one of the smartest things you can do. An auto accident attorney in Texas can talk to the investigating officer, collect witness statements, and negotiate with the insurance company for you.
If you’d like to maximize your compensation, you could use the help of a Texas personal injury attorney from McLaurin Law. Our Houston-based firm has a proven track record of setting the record straight when drivers lie about accidents.
To schedule a consultation with a Texas car accident attorney, call (713) 528-8012.
