What You Need to Know About What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
If an individual finds themselves in a car accident, they must know the steps to take to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road. Here’s everything you need to know about what steps to take after a car accident in Texas.
There are a few important steps that need to happen after a car accident in Texas. These include checking for injuries, moving the cars out of the roadway, exchanging insurance information, and waiting for police officers to file a report.
Step 1: Pull Over & Safety Check
The safety of yourself, the other party in the crash, and other drivers is the most important thing to check for if you get in a car accident. If you can, pull over so that the car is not blocking the road and creating dangerous road conditions. Check for passenger injuries and attempt to treat or alleviate injuries if they occur. If the vehicle cannot be moved or if an injury or fatality occurs, or if the driver leaves the scene, call the police.
Related: Car Accident Without Insurance and You’re Not at Fault
Step Two: Exchange Information With Other Drivers in Texas
Once the safety of drivers and passengers is taken care of, obtain documentation of the scene and exchange information with the other vehicle owner. You will need to get the name and number of the other vehicle owner, their insurance policy number, vehicle registration number, vehicle make and model, and their driver’s license number. It is a good idea to take photos of the scene as well.
Texas law requires drivers to have basic auto insurance and you can be fined $350 if you do not have your insurance card on you. Drivers are also required by law to report all car accidents, even minor ones. This is so there is an official accident report on file which is important for insurance claims.
Failure to Stop
Drivers may also be charged with failure to stop if they attempt to leave the scene before police arrive. If you hit an unattended vehicle, you must either wait for the driver to show up or leave a note with your name and contact information explaining what happened. This is so you and the other vehicle owner can exchange insurance information at a later time. Failure to do so may also result in getting charged for failure to stop.
Related: How to File a Car Accident Claim With Allstate
Step 3: Contacting Your Insurance Company
After the police have arrived and logged an official report of the accident, you should notify the insurance company. The insurance company will ask for details about the accident and the other vehicle owner’s information so they may begin to analyze the accident and decide who is at fault. You must not accept or admit fault to the insurance company because they will use that confession to raise your insurance, or even in court.
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If you or a loved one would like to learn more about What to Do After Car Accident Texas, get your free consultation with one of our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Texas today!