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Personal Injury Law — Auto Accidents

What Every Texas Car Accident Victim Needs to Know

Every year, more than six million accidents occur in the United States, resulting in injuries to nearly three million people. Car accidents are among the leading causes of personal injury and death in the State of Texas. The causes of car accidents are numerous — distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, and simple inattention all contribute to the staggering number of crashes that occur on Texas roads each year. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of an accident can make an enormous difference in your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover full compensation for your losses.

As an experienced team of San Antonio car accident attorneys, we have handled cases across Texas and helped clients recover compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost income, disability, and much more. Over the years, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. Below is a guide to the most important steps every accident victim should take.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

The moments after a car accident are critical. Your actions in those first minutes and hours can directly affect both your health and the strength of any legal claim you pursue. Before assessing property damage, make sure that everyone in your vehicle is safe and uninjured. Check on the occupants of other vehicles involved as well.

If it is safe to do so, pull your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid creating additional hazards. Never leave the scene of a car accident before it is appropriate to do so. Leaving the scene, particularly when injuries or fatalities have occurred, can result in serious criminal penalties that are entirely separate from any civil liability you may face.

Call the police immediately, especially if the accident caused significant property damage, physical injuries, or death. When officers arrive, ask that a formal police report be filed and record the names and badge numbers of all responding officers. That report will become an important piece of evidence in any subsequent insurance claim or lawsuit.

If anyone involved in the accident is in pain, feeling dizzy, or is unconscious, call for an ambulance without hesitation. Do not attempt to move anyone who is unconscious or complaining of neck or back pain until qualified medical personnel arrive. Even if you feel fine immediately after the crash, seek medical attention that same day. The shock and adrenaline of an accident frequently suppress injury symptoms for hours or days, and conditions like whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries may not become apparent until much later.

Gathering Information and Evidence at the Scene

While at the scene, exchange names, driver’s license numbers, phone numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, and insurance information with all other drivers involved. Be cooperative in assessing whether everyone is okay, but avoid discussing the details of the accident or making any statements that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. If the other driver makes any statements about the accident, take notes.

Pay close attention to the condition of the other driver. If they appear to have been drinking, if there is food or an open beverage visible in their vehicle, or if you observed them on their cell phone before the crash, document those observations immediately. These details can be critical evidence of negligence.

Identify any witnesses who saw the accident and get their names, addresses, and phone numbers. Ask witnesses what they observed and encourage them to wait for police to give a statement. If they are unwilling to wait, at minimum get their license plate number so they can be located later. Take photographs of your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, the road conditions, any skid marks, traffic signals or signs, and any other physical details that may be relevant to how the accident occurred. Photograph all damage thoroughly.

After the Accident — Protecting Your Legal Rights

Once you have left the scene and received initial medical attention, your next priority is protecting your legal rights. If anyone involved in the accident sustained any injury, consulting with a car accident attorney as soon as possible is strongly advised. An attorney can evaluate your claim, advise you on next steps, and ensure that evidence is preserved before it disappears.

One of the most important pieces of advice any accident victim can receive is this: avoid accepting early settlement offers from insurance companies. In many cases, insurance providers will reach out quickly with an initial settlement offer that sounds reasonable but falls far short of covering the full extent of your losses — particularly if your injuries are more serious than they initially appeared. Once you accept an offer and sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation, regardless of how your condition develops. Consult with our attorneys on any settlement offer before signing anything.

How Our Car Accident Attorneys Fight for You

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our car accident attorneys are ready to help you pursue the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Our legal team will come to you — at the hospital, your doctor’s office, your workplace, or your home — so you never have to worry about traveling while you are recovering.

We handle every aspect of your claim, from investigating the accident and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, when necessary, taking your case to trial. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win. Contact us as soon as possible after your accident for a free consultation and let us put our experience to work for you. The sooner you reach out, the stronger your claim will be. You can reach us toll-free to schedule your free consultation at any time.