10 critical steps to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and fight for everything you are owed after a Texas car accident.
Your safety comes first. Check yourself and passengers for injuries. Call 911 immediately — even for minor accidents. A police report is critical evidence for your insurance claim and any future lawsuit.
If your vehicle is drivable and you're on a highway or busy road, move to the shoulder or a safe location. Turn on hazard lights. If you can't move, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on until help arrives.
Use your phone to photograph: all vehicle damage from multiple angles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, weather conditions, license plates, your visible injuries, and the surrounding area. Take video if possible. This evidence is irreplaceable.
Get the other driver's: full name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers too.
Do not say "I'm sorry," "It was my fault," or anything that could be interpreted as admitting responsibility. Be polite and cooperative with police, but stick to the facts. Let the investigation determine fault.
The other driver's insurance company will call you — often within hours. They may ask for a "recorded statement." Politely decline. Their adjusters are trained to get you to say things that minimize your claim. Let your attorney handle all communication.
Go to the ER or see a doctor within 24 hours — even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal bleeding often don't show symptoms for days. A medical record created immediately after the accident is powerful evidence.
Attend every follow-up appointment. Complete all prescribed treatment. If you skip appointments or stop treatment early, the insurance company will argue you weren't really injured. Your medical records are the backbone of your case.
Write down how you feel every day — pain levels, activities you can't do, emotional impact, sleep disruption, missed work. These notes become evidence of your pain and suffering, which is a major component of your compensation.
The sooner you call, the stronger your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the statute of limitations is ticking. At Mundy & Associates, your consultation is free and confidential. There is no attorney fees or case expenses unless we win your case.