Car crashes are common in Texas. Out of the 560,952 that occurred in Texas in 2019, at least 25,545 were caused by speeding, and 17,751 injuries or fatalities were caused by drunk drivers.
In these types of car accidents and many others, the fault of the accident lies primarily with one party. Likely, the accident you were in was caused by someone else who was driving recklessly.
Being the victim of someone else’s careless driving is unfortunate, but it isn’t the end. You still have the chance to sue the other driver and recover compensation for what you have suffered.
If you need help dealing with a car accident that wasn’t your fault near the Fort Worth area, get in touch with a Patterson Law Group attorney today.
What If Another Car Causes You To Hit Another Car?
There are many situations in which you may hit another car due to the careless driving of a third car. In this situation, it can be hard to know what to do to properly deal with the other drivers and prove that the case wasn’t entirely your fault.
For example, maybe you are driving down a multi-lane roadway, and a car swerves into your lane. In that instance, your instinct (and possibly your only option) is to swerve to avoid them. However, if there is a car in the lane beside you, you may end up in an accident.
It could also be that you stop your car, and someone rear-ends you from behind, causing your car to shoot forward into the car stopped in front of you. This is known as a chain reaction accident and can result in a huge multi-car crash.
If another car causes you car to hit another car, here is what to do after a car accident:
- Stop as soon as possible and attempt to get your car out of the way if you can.
- Make sure everyone is okay and call the ambulance if necessary.
- Call the police to get an official report of what happened.
- Talk to the other driver, if they are still there, and get insurance information.
- Get witness statements–as many as you can. Witness statements are essential in this type of case to prove the cause of the accident.
What Is A No-Contact Car Accident In Texas?
A no-contact car accident is one in which a car caused you to crash without ever touching you.
It is similar to the above instance in which a car swerved into your lane and caused you to hit someone else.
The most common type of no-contact car accident is when you swerve to avoid someone moving into your lane and about to hit you. Your car then runs off the road, hits a tree or another object, and is damaged or totaled.
This type of accident means you made no contact with the vehicle that caused your crash, but it also means that you can’t prove that they forced you to crash. This driver will often be referred to as a “phantom driver” if they refuse to stop and see what happened.
If you are in a no-contact accident, you should do your best to get the make, model, and license of the offending car. Unfortunately, this is quite difficult if the vehicle didn’t stop. You were likely focused on staying alive, not on taking down plate numbers. Do the best you can, then get in touch with a personal injury attorney to help you decide what to do next.
How To Prove Liability In A No-Contact Car Accident
It can be difficult to prove liability in a no-contact car accident. However, it is possible, especially with help from an attorney.
First, you will want to call your insurance company and let them know what happened. You likely have some coverage for uninsured drivers on your plan, usually used to pay for damages if a driver who causes your accident is uninsured or underinsured. In a no-contact case, the insurance company will likely use this policy to pay for your accident.
The only problem is that you must prove the accident was not your fault. The best (sometimes the only) way to do this is to have a corroborating witness. This person usually cannot be a family member or a friend in the car with you. Instead, it must be a third party.
If you are in a no-contact accident, you will need to get witness statements directly after the crash. You will want to get as many as you can to ensure your insurance company will take your claim.
What If The At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Stop?
If the at-fault driver doesn’t stop, you will need to file an uninsured or underinsured claim in Texas. If neither you nor any witnesses caught the license plate of the car that caused the accident, you would be unable to file a claim.
You should call 911 and request emergency services as soon as you can.
To make sure the insurance company pays, get the witness statements and evidence, you need to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault. Insurance companies must offer you insurance to cover uninsured drivers, so you should recover compensation to help pay in this situation.
Talk To A Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Accident
Being in an accident is no fun. It can be extremely challenging to deal with injuries, car damage, insurance companies, and all the high costs associated with these things.
If you have been in a no-contact accident or one that wasn’t your fault in Texas, you shouldn’t go it alone. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer to help you determine what rights you have and how you can recover compensation.
At Patterson Law Group, we are eager to help you. We won’t make you pay a penny until you have won the money you deserve from your claim. Contact Patterson Law Group now, we will help you settle your case as soon as possible.
