When you get into a car accident in Texas, it is important that you know what steps to take afterward. What you do after a car accident can help make sure everyone is safe and ensure you follow Texas law properly. You will also want to ensure you go through the proper steps to begin an insurance claim process. While getting into a car accident can cause you a lot of stress, it does help to know what to expect and who to call after a car accident. The more you know about what to do after a Texas car accident, the better you will be able to protect yourself if it happens to you.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
The stress and shock in the immediate aftermath can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. The more you know and understand about the process, the better you will be able to recall helpful bits and pieces of information at the moment. You will have a lot of important decisions to make after a car accident, no matter if you were the victim or the driver at fault. The state of Texas, along with many other states in the US, is considered an at-fault state. If you are responsible for the car accident, you will be required to cover the other driver’s expenses for any necessary medical care. If you are the injured victim in a Texas car crash, the other driver and their insurance will pay for your medical expenses. Even though Texas is an at-fault state, you still want to make sure you take certain steps to ensure the safety of yourself and others after an accident.
5 Steps to Take After a Car Crash
Here are five steps everyone should take after a car crash in Texas, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
Get Out of Harm’s Way
The very first thing you want to do after an accident is take a moment to assess yourself for any injuries. Take a deep breath and focus on yourself from head to toe, making note of any areas of pain and discomfort. Some injuries may require you to stay still to avoid making anything worse, like bleeding or pain from movement. If you do not have serious injuries that would prevent you from moving around, then your next step should be to ensure your safety. A car accident might take place on a busy road or highway with other cars flying by. While many drivers take care to slow down and avoid accidents, you want to get to a safe place to avoid further accidents or damage. Do not get out of the car if the accident took place in the middle of a busy roadway until police and first responders arrive to help protect the scene. Otherwise, you may want to pull over to the shoulder or into a nearby parking lot to wait for help to arrive.
Report the Accident
The next thing you want to do after a car crash is to report the accident. You can call 911 so that police and first responders will have the information necessary to assist you. While there are many good Samaritans around, you don’t want to rely on the kindness of others in calling for help. You should never let the other driver talk you out of reporting the accident. Make sure you take the time to place a call and ensure help is on the way. You do not need to place or accept any blame when you report an accident. Instead, the focus should be on making sure you and others around you are safe. Take note of any nearby road signs or identifying markers to help the police know where to find you. The 911 operator will likely also ask about your safety and whether anyone else is in the vehicle with you. While you wait for help to arrive at the scene, this is also an important time to check on any passengers and make sure they are unharmed.
Gather Critical Details
If it is safe to do so based on where the accident occurred, you will want to exchange information with the other driver. It is required by law for Texas drivers to exchange insurance coverage information in the event of a car accident. This experience can seem awkward, but you want to take the time to get the contact and vehicle information of the other driver now, so you have that information for your insurance and any needed reports. Get out your smartphone and take a picture of the person’s driver’s license and insurance card. You may also want to take photos of the scene if it is safe to do so. Make sure you get a photo or write down the make and model of the car, along with the license plate number. When the police arrive at the scene of the accident, they will also gather this information, but you must do so as well for your own records.
Accept Medical Attention
You should always accept medical attention offered at the scene by paramedics or first responders, even if you don’t notice any pain or signs of injury. The shock of a car accident will have your adrenaline pumping, and you may not even realize you are injured. Some symptoms of car accident injuries can even be delayed because of how overwhelming the experience may be. Paramedics and first responders have the training necessary to help ensure your safety and others in the vehicles. Additionally, you want to avoid making any definitive statements to the police or first responders, like saying you are fine when you might not be. If you or the paramedics suspect any injuries, it is important to get prompt medical attention to receive an initial trauma assessment and avoid life-threatening complications.
Get Follow-Up Care
When you go to the emergency room or an urgent care center after a car accident, you will receive assessment and treatment for immediate injuries and issues. However, once you are stable and discharged, you will need to see a car accident doctor for follow-up care. You must follow through on any recommended follow-up care in a timely fashion to support medical records with your claim demonstrating how your injuries are connected to the accident. Additionally, a doctor who specializes in car accident injuries will know how to submit appropriate medical records to establish your right to compensation. Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on your diagnosis, and you will need to follow through with the plan for your health and recovery.
How a Car Accident Chiropractor Can Help You
At Killeen Chiropractic, our team of car accident chiropractors has the knowledge and skills to treat a wide range of car accident injuries. We will provide documentation of your injuries, a thorough examination after the accident, and determine the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment for your injuries. Our car accident chiropractors will support you every step of the way as you recover after a car accident.