If you have been involved in a car accident, the first step to take is to contact the police. If possible, get the name and contact information of the officer who arrived at the scene. Confirm that he or she will file a police report describing the accident. The report should include the details of the accident, including who was at fault and what happened. Make a copy of the report for your car accident attorney.

In some cases, Texas law allows you to seek punitive damages for your injuries. These are aimed at punishing the offending party and discouraging such behavior in the future. A good Houston auto accident attorney will explain these damages and how they can affect your case. Rear-end collisions are caused by sudden changes in speed, following too closely, or failure to yield to a signal. While these accidents can be very serious, the money recovered from a good case can go a long way to making a victim whole again and return to a normal life.

Even if the accident is minor, it is important to file an incident report. Filing this report will start the process for obtaining reimbursement for medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Contacting a Houston auto accident attorney is a wise move if you are injured or have sustained significant damage. However, hiring an attorney is not a prerequisite, but it is a good idea if there were serious injuries and significant damage to either car.

In addition to pursuing damages for your own injuries, an attorney can help you prove that another driver was at fault. In many cases, the other driver may be found negligent and violated traffic laws. For example, speeding, tailgating, and making lane changes without yielding to another driver are examples of violations that can result in a citation. Record the information in a document or on a cell phone for future reference.