You might imagine driving is fun and quite easy, just a simple drive and go. But looking at the many accidents, you might as well learn how to protect rights and be prepared in any way should you encounter one. This is where knowing how to secure your rights after an accident becomes crucial.

Here’s a handy guide so you may at least get through the mishap in “one piece” physically, mentally, and emotionally while ensuring you are protected.

A Legal Preparedness Checklist

Know Your Rights

As a driver in Houston, regardless of age, you have many rights under the protection of Texas law, like:

• Right to Drive

As a registered driver, you have the right to drive or operate a motor vehicle, like your car, that’s evidenced by a valid driver’s license. This right is integral in helping you secure your rights after an accident should it occur.

• Right to Due Process

Your right to due process means you can’t just be accused and put to jail without the law giving you the right to defend yourself or be represented so all rights may be recognized. You see, whatever happens, you’re innocent unless proven in court to be otherwise, which is a cornerstone to securing rights.

• Right to Privacy

Your personal information, like your driving record, can’t just be looked into by anyone without your consent because it’s protected by privacy laws. It can only be accessed by you and other authorized parties, like the police or the courts. This protection is part of ensuring rights after an accident.

• Right to Safety

You have a right to drive on safe roads–that’s why the state has to make sure its streets are safe for motorists to go through. It’s this right to safety where you can expect other drivers to comply with traffic laws to minimize the risk of accidents, a key aspect when you’re looking to secure your rights after an accident.

• Right to Legal Representation

You have the right to an attorney if you’re involved in any legal matters related to driving, like traffic violations or accidents. This is crucial in helping you securing your rights.

Sometimes, however, it’s not only about whether you’re right or wrong–you just need to be careful, like a defensive driver, to avoid getting hurt on the road. Many things may happen along your journey, like roads getting repaired or rerouted and other hurdles. So, it’s better and safer to be alert and have quick responses all the time.

Stay Informed

You need to keep up with any changes in traffic laws, like speed limits or new regulations, because they can affect your rights. It’s like when a lower speed limit is introduced in your usual route, and you know nothing about it. Your ignorance might get you a ticket and even suspend driving privileges, hindering the ability to secure your rights after an accident.

So it’s better to stay on top of these ever-changing traffic rules. A little study of how things work, like your insurance, will help you become cautious, drive safely, and navigate legal challenges more confidently, ensuring you can protect your rights

Seek Legal Representation

It’s not only because of your right to be represented but also because a lawyer can answer all common questions about auto accidents, including how to best protect and secure your rights after an accident. Your attorney can also guide you through the key aspects of Houston’s personal injury claim statutes, like:

• Statute of Limitations

In Texas, the statute of limitations limits time to file personal injury claim. You only have two years from the date of the incident, and failure to file within this timeframe may result in your claim being disallowed by the court. This is a critical aspect of ensuring your rights.

• Comparative Negligence

Houston, under Texas laws, follows the rule of comparative negligence. It means that if you’re partially responsible for the accident, say at 20%, your compensation may be reduced proportionately. Your compensation will also be reduced by 20%. Understanding this is essential to secure your rights after an accident.

• Liability Rules

All of Texas follows a modified comparative fault system with a 51% bar rule. It simply means you can only recover damages if you’re found to be at least 51% at fault for the accident. Otherwise, you can’t recover damages. This understanding is vital to your rights.

• Not a No-Fault Insurance State

The State of Texas is not into a no-fault insurance system. Here, the fault must be determined so your claim for compensation for injuries from an accident may be considered. It’s known, however, that the state requires you and all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage, a fundamental aspect of securing your rights after an accident.

Car Registration and Documentation

In Houston, as in the rest of Texas, it’s mandatory that you keep your vehicle registration, driver’s license, and other relevant documents, like your insurance details, in your car at all times. It’s required by law to help law enforcement officers verify identities and ensure that your vehicle is properly registered and insured. It might result in penalties and fines if you can’t provide them when requested by law enforcement or the police, which could compromise the ability to protect your rights.

Secure Your Rights After An Accident

Preparing yourself to test and start  driving activities is also getting yourself geared up to protect your rights should accidents happen. They’re also “essentials” for safety and legal compliance in Houston, ensuring you can protect your rights.