What to Do After a Texas Car Accident
I was in a car accident. Now what?
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Texas can be confusing. Even knowing what your rights are might not be clear. That’s why it’s critical that you understand all the legal options available to you. That’s why we want to meet with you at Tracey Fox & Walters.
Our experienced car accident attorneys have worked with numerous accident victims throughout Texas. We know what to expect and what to do. Experience matters – and so does your case.
Below, you’ll find information about what to do after different types of car crashes. In particular, we have included a car accident claim checklist to help you understand exactly what to do after your accident.
Our advice is based on years of experience. All that work has also taught us that every accident is different. That’s why it’s important to contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation to talk with a lawyer at our firm. We review the details of your case and advise you on the best course of action.
What to do after your car accident
- What to do after a car accident checklist
- What to expect after a car accident
- What details to exchange after a car accident
- What to do if you are hurt in a car accident
- What to do after a car accident that is not your fault
- What to do with insurance companies after a car accident
- What to do after a hit-and-run accident
- What to do after a rear-end collision
- What to do if your car is totaled
- What to do if someone hits your car
- What to do after a car accident if car is leased
What to do after a car accident checklist
- Call the police and ask them to respond to your accident.
- Ask the police to send an ambulance if you or anyone else is hurt.
- Take photographs of damage to vehicles.
- Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Get the other driver’s full name, address, phone number and insurance information.
- Don’t say anything that could jeopardize your ability to be compensated for your crash.
- Get the police officer’s name and phone number so you can get a copy of accident report.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine.
- Tell your insurance company you have been in an accident caused by another driver.
- Keep your comments brief to your insurance company.
- Contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation.
What to expect after a car accident
There are a lot of things to expect after your car accident. In particular, you can:
- Expect to be in pain after your accident. Seek immediate medical treatment.
- Expect to take time off from work to recover. Your health should come first.
- Expect the other driver’s insurance to contact you. Don’t answer their questions.
- Expect the insurance company to make a lowball settlement offer. Don’t take it.
- Expect other driver to possibly blame you for causing accident. Contact our law firm.
What details to exchange after a car accident
One of the most important things you need to do is exchange information after your accident. In particular, it’s important that you provide the following information for the driver who caused your accident and for your insurance company:
For Other Driver
- Your full name
- Your address
- Your phone number
- Your insurance provider’s name
- Your insurance policy number
For insurance
- The date and time of your accident
- The location of your accident
- The other driver’s full information
- The injuries you sustained
Keep your comments brief. Anything you say to the other driver or insurance companies could potentially be used against you to deny your accident claim. That’s why it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
What to do if you are hurt in a car accident
Seek immediate medical attention. Make an appointment to see your primary care doctor. If necessary, go to an emergency room if you believe you sustained a life-threatening injury in your car accident. Your health and welfare matter the most.
Also make sure to document your injury. Take photographs of any visible injuries. Keep a written record of how you feel after your accident. Write down when you are in pain, where you feel pain and other important details.
All this information – plus having a record of you seeking medical attention for your injuries – can help when you seek financial compensation for your accident-related injuries.
What to do after a car accident that is not your fault
Call the police right away and ask them to respond to your accident. Often, the at-fault driver will deny doing anything wrong – or might even try to blame you for causing your collision. That’s why it’s critical that you have an official police report documenting that your crash was not your fault.
If your accident happened a few days ago, it’s still important to file an accident report with the police. You should also contact your insurance company right away and tell them you have been in a car accident that was not your fault.
Then contact our law firm. We can help you every step of the way and find the facts that matter to help support your claim. Insurance companies often want proof of what happened. We know how to find important evidence to support your claim.
What to do with insurance companies after a car accident
Insurance companies can be challenging to deal with after an accident. That’s because they often only care about one thing – paying injury victims as little as possible. As a result, they will often do whatever they can to build a case against you, especially if the financial impact of your accident adds up to thousands or even millions of dollars.
Our experienced attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies. We can negotiate with them on your behalf. If they refuse to cooperate, we can take them to court and file a lawsuit against them on your behalf.
What to do after a hit-and-run accident
Contact the police immediately and tell them you have been in a hit-and-run accident. If you see someone who saw your crash, talk to the witness and make sure you get their full name and phone number and ask them to talk to the police, as well.
You will also need to contact your insurance company to tell them another car hit your vehicle and left the scene of the accident. Depending on what type of car insurance you have, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company. That’s why it’s important to keep your comments brief when talking to your insurance company.
Your insurance company is like all the other insurance companies – focused on the bottom line. As a result, they may do everything they can to deny your claim. Our law firm can help you demand the financial compensation you deserve.
What to do after a rear-end collision
Call the police and ask them to investigate your accident. If they don’t have time to do so, make sure you file an accident report with the police. If you’re not sure how to fill out your report, contact us. We can help you fill out your accident report.
It’s also important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. You could have a serious injury and not even realize it. Certain injuries often caused by rear-end collisions also often take a while to develop, including whiplash, a type of neck injury often associated with rear-end accidents.
What to do if your car is totaled
Many of the steps you will take will be the same as for other car accidents. You should call the police, you should seek immediate medical attention and you should notify your insurance company that you have been in an accident caused by another driver.
You will also likely need to have someone from your insurance company declare your vehicle a total loss. That way, you can seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to rent a car before you purchase a new car.
If you have trouble with any of these steps, simply contact us. Our attorneys can help you deal with insurance companies and demand that you receive a new vehicle to replace the one destroyed by the at-fault driver.
What to do if someone hits your car
First, make sure everyone in your vehicle, including yourself, is OK. Then call the police and ask them to respond to your collision. Also ask the police to send an ambulance to the scene of the accident if anyone is hurt.
If your accident happened a few days ago, have a doctor examine you to make sure you don’t have a severe injury, including a life-threatening internal injury. Also make sure you contact the police and fill out an accident report.
We also strongly encourage you to contact our law firm as soon as possible. Our experienced car accident lawyers know how to investigate complicated crashes and can help you every step of the way, from filling out forms to negotiating with insurance companies or taking them to court.
What to do after a car accident if your car is leased
You will likely have several choices if you’re in a car accident caused by another driver and you lease your car. Most likely, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay for damages and repairs to your vehicle. If the other driver’s insurance company refuses to pay, you could be forced to pay out of your own pocket for repairs to your vehicle. Otherwise, you might have to pay the leasing company a penalty if you eventually return the car and it is damaged.
Either way, you will likely need to notify your insurance company and your leasing company and tell them you have been in a car accident. We also advise drivers to contact the police and report the accident. That way, there will be an official police report documenting who was at fault in the crash.
We also strongly recommend contacting our law firm as soon as possible. We know how to handle such complex cases in Texas. That’s because our car accident lawyers have been doing this work for years. There’s no substitute for experience, no substitute for success.