What you do after a car accident can affect your health, your ability to preserve evidence, and your potential injury claim. Prioritize safety first, then take reasonable steps to document the crash and protect your interests.
Steps to Take After a Texas Car Accident
1. Get to a safe location
If you can do so safely, move yourself and your vehicle away from immediate traffic hazards. If anyone is seriously injured, prioritize emergency care and wait for first responders.
Texas Department of Insurance guidance recommends moving out of the road when possible if no one is injured and contacting police when someone is injured or when the other driver leaves the scene.
2. Call 911 and report the crash
Call 911 when someone is injured or when emergency assistance is needed. A police report can provide an important record of the collision and may contain information about the vehicles, drivers, witnesses, and circumstances of the crash.
Keep a copy of the report when it becomes available.
3. Seek medical attention
Get medical attention for obvious injuries and consider an evaluation even when you initially feel fine. Some crash-related injuries may not become apparent immediately.
Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and keep records of appointments, treatment, prescriptions, medical bills, and other related expenses.
4. Document the accident scene
When it is safe to do so, photograph or record the vehicles involved, license plates, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, surrounding property, and visible injuries.
Preserve dashcam footage and note the location of nearby surveillance cameras when possible. Texas Department of Insurance guidance also recommends documenting the accident scene, weather, road conditions, and other details while they are fresh.
5. Exchange information
Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license information, insurance company, policy number, and license plate number. Also collect contact information from witnesses who saw the crash.
The Texas Department of Insurance specifically recommends photographing the other driver’s insurance card and driver’s license when possible.
6. Notify your insurance company
Report the accident to your insurer as soon as reasonably possible and follow your policy’s reporting requirements. Provide accurate information about what happened and keep notes about your conversations with the insurance company.
The Texas Department of Insurance recommends keeping the name and contact information of the adjuster handling your claim and records of claim-related communications.
7. Keep records of your losses
Save medical bills, prescription receipts, repair estimates, wage documentation, rental-car expenses, and other records connected to the accident.
These documents can help establish the financial losses resulting from your injuries and property damage.
8. Speak with a Texas car accident lawyer
Consider consulting a Texas car accident lawyer early, particularly if you suffered significant injuries, liability is disputed, multiple parties are involved, or an insurer is pressuring you to resolve the claim.
An attorney can evaluate the evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, explain your legal options, and help protect your interests during the claims process.
Mistakes To Avoid After a Texas Car Accident
Don’t admit fault
Avoid apologizing for the accident or making statements that speculate about who caused the crash. Even seemingly casual comments may not reflect the complete circumstances.
Provide the information required at the scene, but let the evidence and investigation establish responsibility.
Don’t ignore medical symptoms
Do not assume that an injury is insignificant simply because symptoms are mild or have not appeared immediately. Seek appropriate medical evaluation and follow recommended care.
Delaying treatment can also make it more difficult to document the connection between the accident and your injuries.
Don’t give a recorded statement without understanding the implications
An insurance company may ask you to provide a recorded statement about the accident or your injuries. Be truthful, but understand what you are being asked and how the statement may affect the claim.
When injuries are significant or liability is disputed, consider consulting a lawyer before providing a recorded statement to another party’s insurer.
Don’t accept a settlement before understanding your losses
An early settlement offer may not account for future medical care, ongoing symptoms, lost income, or other damages that have not yet been fully evaluated.
Before accepting an offer, understand the extent of your injuries and the losses involved. Once a claim is settled, you may generally give up the right to pursue additional compensation for the same claim.
Don’t post about the accident on social media
Avoid publicly discussing the accident, your injuries, or your claim on social media. Photos, videos, comments, and other posts can potentially be used to challenge statements about your injuries or the circumstances of the crash.
Keeping claim-related information private can help reduce the risk of your posts being taken out of context.