A car accident can be such a stressful experience. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you might find yourself overwhelmed or in shock. These responses to a traumatic event like a car accident are normal, though they can certainly make the decision process difficult. If you suffered any injuries in the accident, you could end up missing work and find yourself dealing with expensive hospital bills. When you have a solid understanding of what to do after an accident in Texas, you can be better prepared to react to an emergency situation. The steps you take after a car accident can really make an impact on your health as well as your car accident claim. Here are some recommendations for what to do after a car accident in Texas to help set you up for success.
7 Things to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
Consider these seven things to do after a car accident in Texas that will help ensure the safety of everyone involved and support the claims process going forward.
Do Not Flee the Car Accident Scene & Call the Police
If you get into a car accident, you should never leave the scene. In fact, all drivers involved in a car accident in Texas are required to stop, or else they risk getting charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Even if you think the car accident wasn’t a big deal or don’t see any obvious signs of damage or injuries, it is always best to get a police report of the incident. Call the police if you get into a car accident so you can have an official record of what has occurred. If you end up needing to work with your insurance company, they will want to see a police record to confirm the details of the accident.
Check for Injuries & Get Urgent Medical Attention
Once you have called the authorities, take a moment to assess for any injuries. Try not to make big movements while you work your way from head to toe, and take notice of any pain you might be experiencing or obvious signs of injuries like bleeding. If you experience pain or difficulty moving your head, neck, or back, stay very still until emergency responders come to the scene. Paramedics have the expertise to rule out serious injuries or to help get you to safety without further aggravating your injuries. You should always get checked out by a doctor after a car accident, whether you need medical attention at the emergency room or can follow up with a car accident doctor near you.
Document Everything at the Scene of the Car Crash
Documentation is so important for a car accident claim. Jot down some notes or add a voice memo to your phone of everything you remember immediately after the accident, including what direction you were traveling and the make and model of other cars involved. Make a note of any obvious signs of injury you or other passengers are experiencing, including pain, bleeding, and other symptoms. If you are able to move around safely, you should take photos or videos of the car accident site. You should also take a photo of other cars involved in the accident, including their license plates. If you speak with other drivers involved, you want to get a copy of their driver’s license and insurance information.
Preserve Any Car Accident Evidence
If your car is in a dangerous position, like in the middle of the roadway where you or others could be at risk, it is important to get out of harm’s way. By moving your car to a safe area, like the shoulder or an emergency lane, you are leaving the initial site of the accident. However, the safety of you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road is more important. If the accident does take place where you can stay put, then this allows you to preserve any potential evidence for a full police report of the accident. Any photos or video you can take at the scene may be helpful for the police to review to help support a full and accurate police report. For example, if the other driver appeared intoxicated or impaired, a video of their present state could be helpful for evidence that you can share with the attending officers at the scene.
Exchange Car Accident Info with Other Parties Involved
Texas law requires that all drivers involved in a car accident must exchange insurance information at the site of the car accident. You can exchange car accident information with the other parties involved while waiting for the police to arrive. You should not rely on the police to gather and share this information with all parties. Instead, exchanging insurance coverage information amongst yourselves can help expedite the process. Additionally, it can take a few days or even a week to receive the full police report of the car accident, but you will likely need the driver’s insurance and information to get started on a claim before that time. You should also write down the make and model of all cars involved, along with license plate numbers and any identifying details about the vehicles.
Inform Your Car Insurance Company
As soon as you are safely able to do so, you will want to contact your car insurance company. Notify the claims handler of the car accident, including the date and time of the accident, along with any other details requested. You should also inform your insurance company whether you suffered any injuries in the car accident, even if you are experiencing mild symptoms. Your car insurance coverage may include collision benefits, which could include an inspection and repairs when you report a claim. Your car insurance may also wait for contact from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You should not speak with the other driver’s car insurance company without legal representation.
Follow Up with a Car Accident Chiropractor
You should always follow up with your car accident doctor, even if you don’t notice any obvious signs of an injury right away. During a traumatic event like a car accident, your body is likely flooded with adrenaline that helps you think fast and take care of yourself but can also mask pain and other signs of injury. Car accident doctors and chiropractors are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of car accident injuries and work with these types of injuries every day. It could take hours or even days for pain and other symptoms to set in, so visit your car accident doctor as soon as possible for a thorough exam.
How Our Team of Car Accident Doctors Can Help You
Our team of car accident doctors at Pro-Care Medical Centers in Texas is here to help you. Pro-Care car accident chiropractors understand the importance of an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan to support your recovery and to support your car accident claim. Our team of doctors has the knowledge and expertise to provide detailed records of your car accident injuries, which may also be used as evidence if you seek compensation for any injuries or damages. At Pro-Care Medical Centers in Austin and San Antonio, our car accident doctors include chiropractic care providers, medical doctors, neurologists, orthopedists, and pain management specialists who specialize in treating car accident injuries. We recognize that dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be a difficult process, and we want to provide you with quality treatment and care so you can focus on feeling better and recovering from your injuries.
