Car Accidents
Claims for people hurt in collisions, from insurance negotiations through suit.
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What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
The days right after a crash shape everything that follows. Here's what protects your health, your evidence, and your claim.
Step by Step
Protecting Yourself After a Collision
These general steps apply to most crashes. Your situation may call for different advice, so talk with a lawyer about your case.
Get medical attention
Adrenaline hides injuries, and some don't surface for days. Being examined protects your health and creates the record that ties an injury to the crash.
Report the collision
Call police to the scene where appropriate and make sure a crash report is created. Get the report number before you leave.
Photograph everything
Both vehicles, the damage, the positions, skid marks, traffic controls, the weather, and your visible injuries. More photos than you think you need.
Collect the details
The other driver's name, insurance information, and plate, plus names and numbers for any witnesses, who are often gone by the next day.
Be careful with insurers
Report the crash to your own insurer as your policy requires, but you're generally not obligated to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
Keep every document
Bills, discharge instructions, work notes, repair estimates, and letters from any insurance company. These become the backbone of the claim.
Deadlines
Time-Sensitive Issues
Some steps can't wait for the insurance process to play out. These are the ones that most often cost people a claim.
The Road Ahead
How a Claim Usually Unfolds
Once a claim is reported, an adjuster investigates and assigns fault. Meanwhile, you treat. Rushing to settle before your doctors know what recovery looks like is the most common way people end up paying for their own future care.
When treatment is complete or the picture is clear, the claim is usually presented with the records and bills supporting it, and negotiation follows. If the insurer disputes fault or the injuries, or won't make a reasonable offer, the next step is filing suit. Even then, most cases resolve before trial.
Questions about your own situation? Contact Gauthier Law Firm or call (214) 377-0786. You can also read the injury claim FAQ.
Practice Areas
Learn About Your Claim
Slip and Fall
Premises liability claims for injuries caused by unsafe property conditions.
Learn More about Slip and FallThis page provides general information about Texas law, not legal advice, and laws change. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See the full disclaimer.
Injured in a Crash? Talk to a Lawyer
Speak with attorney Avia Gauthier about your injuries and your options. Call (214) 377-0786 or send a message to request a consultation.
Contacting Gauthier Law Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until an attorney-client relationship has been established.