What Are The Top 5 Things I Should Do After A Car Accident In Texas?
Asked in Round Rock, TX on April 22, 2019 Last answered on August 20, 20262 answers
Free Consultation If you were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, your first step should be to call 911 and get prompt medical treatment. But there are other important things you can do to help ensure that you receive the maximum available compensation for your injuries and your property damage.
1. Gather The Other Driver’s Information
This includes the other driver’s name, license plate number, phone number, address and insurance information. You might also want to note anything the other driver says to indicate that the accident was their fault.
2. Document The Accident Scene And Your Injuries
If you can, take pictures of the scene, including the damage to both vehicles and the area where the crash occurred. Also, take pictures of your injuries if they are visible. All of this can be used as evidence in your personal injury and property damage claims.
Additionally, get the names and contact information of any witnesses. After the police file an accident report, request a copy of the report for your records. Again, this evidence will be useful as your attorney works to secure the maximum available compensation for your injuries.
3. Seek Appropriate Medical Treatment
When you call to report the accident, tell the dispatcher about your injury. Whether or not an emergency room visit is necessary will depend on how bad the injury is, but do not hesitate to get emergency treatment if you are seriously injured. It is also important to note that many primary care clinics and urgent care clinics do not treat injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, and these clinics are likely to refer you to the nearest emergency room.
After the crash, be sure to self-monitor your condition. Sometimes injuries – particularly neck, back, head and other internal injuries – do not show obvious symptoms until days or even weeks after the collision. It is generally a good idea to see a doctor after a motor vehicle accident, regardless of whether you think your injuries are serious. A doctor can conduct a thorough exam to determine whether any injuries exist that are not obvious.
Seeing a doctor also starts the medical record of your injury, and your medical record will serve as important evidence for your personal injury claim. Keep in mind, too, that if you wait to get the medical treatment you need, the insurance company may claim that your injury isn’t as bad as it is. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you with regard to doctors who can provide the appropriate medical treatment you need for your specific injury.
4. Contact An Attorney, And Do Not Agree To Give The Insurance Company A Recorded Statement
The insurance adjuster’s questions are designed to get you to say something that will reduce the amount of compensation you receive. Before giving a recorded statement to the insurance company and before agreeing to a settlement, talk to a personal injury lawyer. Once you do that, your attorney can represent you and ensure that all communications with the insurance company are handled properly and with your best interests in mind. An experienced lawyer can also work to build a strong case that maximizes your compensation while you focus on healing.
5. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders, And Do Not Stop Medical Treatment Prematurely
Sometimes people with serious injuries get tired of going to the doctor, but if you prematurely stop going to medical appointments, your health could suffer in the long run, and the insurance company may claim that your injury is not as severe as it truly is.
Keep in mind that a personal injury claim could lead to compensation for short-term and long-term medical costs, as well as compensation for lost wages and other damages.
Free Consultation - Get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline and shock mask pain immediately after a crash, and delayed pain is extremely common — sometimes injuries like herniated discs or concussions don't show real symptoms for a day or two. A documented gap between the accident and treatment gives insurance companies exactly the opening they need to argue your injuries weren't really caused by the crash, so getting checked out isn't just about your health, it protects the case too.
- Document the scene thoroughly while you still can. Photos and video of both vehicles, the damage, the road and weather conditions, and your own injuries, plus contact information for any witnesses, and make sure a police report gets filed. This matters more than people realize because evidence has a shelf life — surveillance footage from nearby businesses gets overwritten, and witnesses' memories fade fast, so the earlier this is locked down, the stronger your case stays.
- Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and be careful what you say to any adjuster. Anything you say, even something casual or offhand, can and will be used to reduce or deny your claim later. You're not required to give them a detailed recorded account, and it's smart to loop in an attorney before you do.
- Don't accept a quick settlement offer, no matter how tempting it looks in the moment. An early lowball offer is often designed to lock in a number before you know the full extent of your injuries or how much treatment you'll actually need, and once you accept and sign a release, that's typically it — there's no going back for more if things turn out worse than expected.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney sooner rather than later. Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but that long deadline can create a false sense of time — the evidence that actually wins these cases (scene photos, footage, witness accounts) deteriorates in days and weeks, not years, so getting a lawyer involved early protects both the evidence and you from an insurance company that's already working the case on its own timeline.
This is general information, not legal advice for your specific accident.
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