Blog Layout

From the Paralegal’s Desk: “I Just Had an Accident. What Information Should I Record?”

nicolefoote • Aug 24, 2016

Information recording is a must for every accident or incident in your life, from a motor vehicle crash to incidents with your neighbors. In all cases, there are different types of information that could be gathered as you work your way through the situation. You have the right to know about and obtain several pieces of information that law enforcement does not want you to know about or does not want you to know you can request. Some of this information can be vital to assisting you make insurance claims or talking to your attorney.

“Some of this information can be vital to assisting you make insurance claims or talking to your attorney.”

In all incidents (reports involving people or places) and accidents (motor vehicle-related reports), you will want to gather basic information such as:

  • the date the incident/accident occurred
  • location of incident/accident
  • time the incident/accident occurred
  • names of all parties involved
  • a general description of what occurred.
  • driver license numbers and date of births of all parties
  • license plate numbers
  • vehicle identification numbers (VIN #)
  • insurance information for all drivers involved
  • the investigating officer’s and any other responding officer’s names
  • the agency’s phone number where the primary officer can be reached or reports can be obtained.

If dealing with truck and trailer combination (18 wheelers) both the truck and trailer will have separate license plate numbers as well as VIN numbers. You will also want to write down the Texas Department of Transportation numbers (TXDOT #) found on truck tractor (18 wheeler cabs). This number can link the truck with a company if a company name is not located on the vehicle.

Some of this information you may think you can remember in your head, but it is always a good practice to write it down because memories can fade over time. Also, Officer’s reports can contain mistakes, and writing down the information can also assist you in starting any legal process that you need to start moving on. Delays might be caused if you depend on the Officer’s reports alone as most law enforcement agencies have policies allowing them up to 10 days to complete motor vehicle reports, and possibly longer for incident reports. The records request process alone could take several days.

“It is always a good practice to write it down because memories can fade over time.”

After the incident/accident there is sometimes information that law enforcement agencies do not want you, the general public, to know that you can request. Now in the age of computers and cameras, everything an officer and dispatch does or says can be recorded. With knowing this, you should also know that you can request through the open records act copies of all video from body and patrol car cameras, all audio between the officer and dispatch, any written records that the officer and dispatch make, and any 911 phone calls that were made in reference to the incident.

“This information can be useful if you are considering talking to or hiring an attorney.”

This information can be useful if you are considering talking to or hiring an attorney.
If you choose to hire an attorney, this information can assist you, the attorney, and their paralegal or assistant in every step of your case. Paralegals and legal assistants can be, and most of the time are, the middle-man between you and your attorney. Every detail can make a difference whether it is just reviewing your case or taking you as a client.


Erin Landrum, Paralegal

Eagle Ford Office


This Blog/Web Site is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

holding hands
By nfoote 30 Mar, 2017
As life expectancies continue to increase across the globe, more people are having to confront the trying task of caring for their loved ones who are no longer able to care for themselves. While it may be easy enough to cook someone a homemade meal or help out with some chores around the house, some [..] The post A Few Practical Thoughts on Guardianships for the Aging appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
property
By nfoote 27 Jan, 2017
If you’ve ever asked a Texan why his or her state is so great, you know that the answers can be as vast and diverse as a trip from Houston to El Paso, or Brownsville to Amarillo. From its natural beauty and rich culture to its vibrant economy, the lone star state never seems to [..] The post Tax Appraisal Protests: Property Taxes may be Inevitable, but That does not mean they are Non-negotiable. appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
By nfoote 11 Jan, 2017
Today’s posting is the third installment of things to consider in negotiating pipeline easements What surface facilities will be brought in with the pipeline? Many pipelines require other facilities on the surface in conjunction with the pipeline. Surface facilities are particularly noteworthy for surface owners that have ranching or farming operations as the facilities can [..] The post 5 things to Know About Pipeline Easements – Part III appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
Jonathan D.Enright
By nicolefoote 04 Jan, 2017
  Since the structure of payment to one’s attorney is created by contract, the number of different kinds of fee structures can be as vast as the circumstances merit.  While the variations can be extensive regarding the method of calculating the costs of representation, there are still primarily three main types of attorney fee structures. [..] The post Which Attorney Fee Structure is Right for Me? appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
What does a Paralegal do
By nicolefoote 19 Dec, 2016
What does a paralegal do? As a paralegal at Bethune Enright, PLLC, sometimes I am asked what my job entails. The answer can differ, depending on a state’s rules and regulations. To start answering the question let’s first define what a paralegal is. A paralegal is defined by the American Bar Association (ABA) as: Paralegal: [..] The post What does a Paralegal do? appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
Mediation
By nicolefoote 12 Dec, 2016
As a litigating attorney, I have gleaned certain important insights into the benefits of settlement and mediation.  First, let me explain the benefits of settling a claim in advance of full litigation by informal settlement negotiations and then I will discuss the benefits of attempting mediation. Litigation Costs— One major benefit is reducing litigation costs. [..] The post Why Should I Mediate? appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
By nicolefoote 01 Nov, 2016
In our third installment on oil & gas law, here are five things to consider in negotiating pipeline easements… What surface facilities will be brought in with the pipeline? Many pipelines require other facilities on the surface in conjunction with the pipeline. Surface facilities are particularly noteworthy for surface owners that have ranching or farming [..] The post 5 Things to Know About Pipeline Easements appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
Why does your attorney want a peek at your diary
By nicolefoote 20 Oct, 2016
Why does your attorney want a peek at your diary?  At Bethune Enright, we think it’s important for clients to keep diaries. Here’s why… When you hear that word do you get the same picture in your head? A young girl, probably about ten years old, lying on her bed with her feet up in [..] The post Why Your Attorney Wants a Peek at Your Diary appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
By nicolefoote 05 Oct, 2016
I’m considering hiring an attorney and entering litigation… How do I get started? What should I expect along the way? If you are considering hiring an attorney to file a lawsuit or if you are hiring an attorney to defend you against litigation, having a basic understanding of what a typical civil litigation case entails [..] The post A Guide to Understanding Litigation in Texas appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
By nicolefoote 28 Sep, 2016
Your first step might be walking through the door into our office. Or you might give us a call, after browsing our website. There are many ways you can initiate a client-attorney relationship with a law firm. Once a relationship is established, many firms commonly conduct an interview. Your face-to-face interview will often be with [..] The post Client-Attorney Interviews: Questions, Questions, Questions… appeared first on Bethune Enright, PLLC.
More Posts
Share by: