We cannot control the weather, but drivers can control the way they respond to it. If you were injured because another driver was negligent and failed to take precautions, you may be entitled to seek compensation to help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A Plano lawyer can help you after an accident involving someone who failed to heed changing weather or road conditions. You may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit.
Steps You Can Take to Strengthen Your Case After an Accident
You may have many questions about the legal process and how to proceed with an insurance claim. However, rest assured that there are a number of steps that you can take in the aftermath of your accident that can be of significant help in building a case.
Here is what to do if you find yourself in one of these accidents:
Seek Medical Care
Your first priority should always be your health and safety, as well as that of your loved ones. Before all else, get the medical care that you need for your injuries. This way, you will also be documenting your injuries. You could then use your medical records as evidence in a personal injury case or lawsuit.
After you seek emergency care, it is important to continue attending any recommended medical appointments. Again, this is not only important for your health, but it will also be helpful for your case. If your injuries continue to affect your life and health long after the accident, you can factor these additional costs and losses into the value of your case.
Report the Accident
You should always report what happened to the police. They will arrive on the scene and create an official crash report. This will document the information of those involved in the accident, as well as other details related to the incident. You can retrieve your crash report on the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) website. We can also gather evidence of your accident on your behalf.
The police report will be another crucial piece of evidence for any legal action you may take, as it can provide indicators of the other driver’s negligence–and potentially prove liability for your accident.
Collect Evidence
Even though the police create the official crash report, that does not mean they will necessarily capture all of the information that may later prove useful to you. Collect your own evidence, if possible.
Take pictures and record video of relevant information, including:
- The state of the crash site
- The weather conditions at the time
- The road conditions
- The damage to the vehicles
- The injuries caused by the accident
Also, be sure to get the contact information and insurance information of anyone involved in the accident. Make a note of any statements the other driver makes regarding the crash and how it happened. Refrain from making statements of your own that could later be used against you in a civil suit.
If there were any witnesses to what happened, get their contact information as well. If possible, collect statements from them about what they saw. You never know what may later be helpful in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
For a free legal consultation with a Failure to Heed Changing Weather or Road Condition Accidents lawyer serving Plano, call 877-239-4878
Safe Driving and Negligence in Poor Weather and Road Conditions
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), there are steps that drivers should take to drive more safely when weather and road conditions worsen in the winter. Drivers can:
- Take it slow: Speeding can cause drivers to lose control of a vehicle because their tires may not be able to gain traction on slick roads.
- Space out traffic: Drivers should practice safe following distances and accommodate the extra time it takes to brake slowly.
- Avoid hills, if possible: Going up and down hills can be particularly risky in bad conditions. Drivers should be aware of their speed on hills.
- Stay alert: Especially during poor weather conditions, drivers should not drive while fatigued or while under the influence of substances.
When faced with poor weather conditions, it is important that drivers maintain their vehicles according to safety standards. If a vehicle was not properly maintained and poor maintenance contributed to your crash, this could be evidence of the other driver’s negligence.
If a driver failed to abide by these or other safety precautions and instead drove recklessly during poor weather conditions, you may be able to hold the negligent driver accountable for your accident.
Plano Failure to Heed Changing Weather or Road Condition Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-239-4878
Pursuing Compensation After Your Accident With a Lawyer’s Help
Once you are safe and able to do so, contact a Plano law firm to discuss a case involving a driver who failed to heed changing weather or road conditions. We can discuss your options for pursuing compensation.
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we will be able to evaluate your case to see if you are entitled to seek compensation to help cover the following:
- Your medical bills: Including hospitalizations, medical appointments, surgeries, diagnostic testing, medications, and physical therapy
- Lost wages: Including wages that you could not earn due to days spent in recovery or in medical appointments
- Pain and suffering: This reflects the emotional and physical pain caused by the accident
In the event that you lost a loved one in an accident, we can help you seek recovery for costs associated with a funeral and burial, your loved one’s medical expenses, and other losses. While it may seem challenging to calculate a numeric value that represents these losses, we will be able to do so for you. We want to seek the best possible outcome for your case.
Even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to seek compensation. We can tell you more about how liability may apply to your case and how that may affect your settlement or lawsuit.
The Statute of Limitations in Your Plano Case
Keep in mind that you have a limited time to file a lawsuit in Texas. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, you have up to two years to do so. For this reason, we recommend getting in touch with our office as soon as you can after an accident.
Contact our Plano Failure to Heed Changing Weather or Road Condition Accident Attorneys today
Bring in the Attorneys at Loncar Lyon Jenkins to Fight for You
Once you have decided to pursue compensation for your injuries, bring in the Strong Arm of Loncar Lyon Jenkins to advocate on your behalf. With eight offices across the state of Texas, we have the reach and resources to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your family.
A Plano lawyer can help you after an accident involving a driver who failed to heed to changing weather or road conditions. Call us today to learn more and to receive your free consultation.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
