What should I do if I get into a car accident?

Many people are not prepared for a car accident, and do know how to respond. After the jolt of the collision, even those who have been in car accidents before may be upset and unable to think clearly.

It is worth having a plan and understanding of what to do before an accident happens.

Some guidelines apply everywhere, but states have different traffic laws and rules about who is at fault.

A Guide of What To Do If You Get in a Car Accident in Texas

Do not leave the scene.

Call 911 and report the accident; ask for medical assistance if needed.

Move your car over so that traffic is not blocked if possible.

If you are injured, remain in your vehicle if possible.

You have the right to know the other drivers’ information

 The other parties involved are required to share their information with you. It is important to make sure that you get that information. This includes:

  • The other driver’s name, address, and your telephone number
  • The other driver’s driver license number
  • The other driver’s license plate number
  • The other driver’s insurance information

You must also share your information with the other people who were involved in the accident

  • Your name, address, and your telephone number.
  • Your driver license number.
  • Your license plate number.
  • Your insurance information.

Witness Information

If there are witnesses to the accident, you should also get their name, address and contact information. In the event that you are injured, that information will be important if you want to be compensated for your damages.

You should not talk about how the accident happened to the other people involved.

Be Cautious About What You Say

  • You should always make sure that everyone involved is OK, and immediately call for medical assistance for anyone that needs it. But it is generally better to say less about the cause of the accident in the moment.
  • Insurance companies and some other drivers will try to take advantage of anything you say after an accident. This can even include simple apologies, which may be used to suggest you were admitting fault in the accident.
  • Do not admit that you were at fault, even if you think you were.
  • Do not threaten or intimidate anyone at the scene of the accident. Instead, remain calm and level-headed.
  • If you were injured, you will need to write notification letters to the parties involved that were at fault. Send the notification to them even if you are not sure who caused the accident.
  • The notification letter should inform them that you plan to ask for compensation for your injuries. Do not include any information related to the accident or your injuries. Do include the date, time and location of the accident. Be sure to include your name and address, and the date that you wrote the letter. If you do not receive responses within a reasonable time, you should resend copies of the letters by return receipt. You may do that at the post office. You should also send a letter to your insurance company. Include the information about the other parties involved.
  • Keep copies of your letters and return receipts. Those documents may be used in a court as proof that you notified those involved. If you do not send notification letters, your attempt to get compensated could be compromised.