Dallas is a major metropolis in Texas. It has a population of 1.3 million, and each year, 35.7 million people visit the city. In 2021, there were 55,634 crashes in Dallas, 324 of them fatal, making it the sixth worst city for traffic deaths. 3,371 of the crashes were caused by speeding drivers, and there were 6,920 distracted driving accidents.
In Dallas, there are specific steps you need to take after an accident to protect yourself and follow Texas state laws. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident in Dallas.
Stop Immediately and Assess the Situation
The first thing you need to do is stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Make sure to pull your car completely off the road and onto the shoulder. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. Remain inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until you have fully assessed the situation.
Check to see if anyone is injured. If there are injuries or complaints of pain, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless there is a life-threatening situation like a vehicle fire. Wait for emergency medical services to arrive and transport the injured.
If vehicles are blocking traffic, set up road flares or triangles to alert oncoming vehicles, keeping safety in mind. Take photos of damage to all vehicles involved and the accident scene.
Exchange Information
If everyone is uninjured, the drivers involved in the accident should exchange relevant information. Getting the other driver’s insurance and contact information is crucial in Dallas, as Texas follows fault-based insurance rules. Having these details will help file a claim and determine liability later. Avoid discussing fault or making any admissions of guilt with the other driver, as anything you say can impact your claim.
File a Police Report
Contact the Dallas Police Department to report any accident where there are injuries, disabilities, or significant property damage. For minor collisions with only vehicle damage, move vehicles out of traffic to a safe location like a parking lot, exchange information, and then file a crash report online later.
Ask any eyewitnesses to remain at the scene to speak with police about what they observed. Provide your account of what happened to the officer. Get the badge number and contact information of the responding officer.
Document the Accident
Take photos of property damage, injuries and the accident scene from different angles to add them to your report. Capture conditions like weather, road hazards, traffic signs or signals. Photograph license plates and VIN numbers. Obtain witness names, numbers, and statement details. Write down your recollection of how the accident occurred while it’s fresh in your mind.
Call a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer
After an incident, you may want to consult a car accident lawyer in Dallas who can advise you on your legal options and represent your claim. An attorney can deal with insurance companies on your behalf. There are also strict statutes of limitations on filing injury and property damage claims related to auto accidents in Texas. For bodily injury, you typically have 2 years from the date of collision to file a lawsuit. For property damage, special rules apply but the timeline may be as little as 2 years. Consulting a qualified lawyer soon after an accident is key, as they can guide you on taking timely action within these legal limits.
This step-by-step guide covers the key things to do after an auto accident in Dallas. Be vigilant!