Car & Auto Accidents
According to a Texas Department of Transportation report, a car accident occurs in Texas every 81 seconds. Additionally, one person is killed in a car accident every 2 hours and 54 minutes and one person is injured every 2 minutes and 26 seconds. If you live in the Dallas or Fort Worth area, then you know that car accidents are a fact of everyday life.
If you are involved in a car accident, it is important that you obtain as much information about the other driver as you can, including the driver’s name, address, telephone number, drivers license number and date of birth. You must also obtain name of the other driver’s insurance company and policy number. Be sure to note the year, make, model and license plate number of the other vehicle. If there are eye-witnesses to the accident, get their names, addresses and telephone numbers. If the other driver says he does not have any insurance, then make sure you still get as much of the informtion mentioned above. You will have to give this information to your insurance company when you report the claim. Attached is an Accident Information Form which you should print and keep in your vehicle in case you have an accident. This form will help you obtain the necessary information at the accident scene.
Sometimes a police officer will investigate the accident and make out an accident report that contains this information. However, many police departments have cut back on making police reports for less serious accidents and normally do not come to the scene unless there is a need to keep the peace or if the drivers are not cooperating with each other in exchanging information. If the police do make out a report, then investigating officer should give you a report number that you can use when you want to get a copy of the report.
At the accident scene, never be rude or confrontational with the other driver or police officers. Also, do not ever sign anything or put anything in writing about the events surrounding the accident or injuries unless you are required to do so by the investigating officer.
