You never expect it to happen—until it does. One moment, you’re driving to work, listening to the radio, or thinking about dinner. The next, there’s the screech of tires, the crunch of metal, and your world turns upside down.
Whether you’ve been rear-ended by a speeding driver on a Houston street or involved in a serious collision with an 18-wheeler on I-35, your actions in the minutes, hours, and days following the crash can significantly impact your ability to access the compensation to rebuild your life and ensure your financial and physical recovery.
So what steps should you take to safeguard your rights and your family’s future in the wake of a serious motor vehicle accident in Texas? Let’s take a closer look.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Ensure Everyone is Safe
The first priority after any Texas accident is safety. Take a deep breath and quickly assess yourself. Are you bleeding? Can you move without severe pain? Then check your passengers. Even if everyone says they feel fine, remember that adrenaline can mask pain, and shock can delay symptoms.
If you’re able, check on the other driver and any passengers in their vehicle. If anyone is unconscious or bleeding heavily, call 911 immediately and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. In severe crashes, the difference between life and death can be the speed of that first call.
Step 2: Move to a Safe Location if Possible
If your vehicle is drivable and the roadway is dangerous, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic.
On a busy highway or in a crash with an 18‑wheeler, staying in the travel lane can be deadly. If your car can’t move, stay inside with your seat belt fastened until help arrives. Exiting into active traffic can be more dangerous than waiting for emergency responders.
Step 3: Call 911 and Request Police and Medical Help
In Texas, you’re legally required to report accidents involving injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage. But even in a minor accident, calling 911 is smart. A police report provides an official record that protects you if the other driver later changes their story.
When you call, give the dispatcher clear, calm details: your location, the number of vehicles involved, and whether anyone appears hurt. If it’s a commercial truck crash, mention the size of the vehicle and whether it’s blocking traffic or leaking fluids.
Step 4: Stay at the Scene and Comply with Texas Law
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense in Texas, even if the crash seems minor. Stay until the police say you can leave. Cooperate with officers, but keep your statements factual and brief. Avoid speculating about who’s to blame or how fast anyone was driving.
If the crash involved an 18-wheeler or other large commercial truck, expect the trucking company to quickly send investigators to the scene. By remaining calm and compliant with police instructions, you ensure the official record favors your version of events, not the company’s.
Step 5: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Once it’s safe, exchange information with all involved drivers. You’ll need:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make, model, and license plate
- Insurance company and policy number
If a commercial truck is involved, also gather the driver’s CDL number, the trucking company name, and the USDOT number from the cab. These details help investigators and attorneys track the company and its insurance coverage.
Step 6: Document the Scene Thoroughly
Your phone is your best evidence‑gathering tool. If it’s safe to do so, take wide shots of the scene and close‑ups of:
- Vehicle damage from multiple angles
- Skid marks, debris, and broken glass
- Weather and road conditions
- Traffic signs, lights, and any nearby construction
If there are witnesses, politely ask for their contact information. The account of a neutral third party can be critical if another driver disputes fault. In truck accidents, also note the trailer number, any logos, and visible cargo conditions.
Step 7: Do Not Admit Fault or Apologize
It’s natural to say “I’m sorry” in the heat of the moment, but resist that urge. In Texas, even a casual apology can be twisted into an admission of fault. Insurance companies can use your words against you later.
Stick to the facts: confirm everyone’s safety, exchange information, and let the police investigation determine responsibility.
Step 8: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible. Many crash injuries—like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding—don’t show symptoms right away. Getting checked out protects your health and creates a medical record linking any injuriesy you did suffer to the crash.
If you’re hit by a large truck, the risk of serious injury is even higher. The sheer weight and force of an 18‑wheeler can cause hidden trauma, including spinal injuries or organ damage.
Step 9: Keep All Follow‑Up Appointments and Follow Doctor’s Orders
One of the biggest mistakes Texas accident victims make is skipping follow‑up care. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the crash.
Attend every appointment, complete physical therapy, and follow your doctor’s instructions. Not only does this speed recovery, but it also strengthens any future claim for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Step 10: Notify Your Own Insurance Company Promptly
Call your insurer as soon as possible after the accident. Provide basic details: the time, date, location, and the other drivers’ information. Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about fault or the severity of your injuries.
If your car needs repairs or you require a rental, your insurer will guide you on the next steps. Prompt notification keeps your claim moving and protects your coverage.
Step 11: Do Not Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurer has one goal: to pay as little as possible. Adjusters may seem friendly, but they are trained to get statements that reduce or deny claims.
If they call, politely decline to speak to them. And whatever you do, don’t provide a recorded statement, sign anything, or accept any form of payment without speaking to an attorney first. Remember, anything you say—no matter how casual—can be used to limit your compensation.
Step 12: Avoid Social Media and Casual Conversations About the Accident
In today’s digital-first world, it’s tempting to share everything online. After an accident, resist that instinct. Insurance investigators routinely check social media for posts they can use to undermine your claim.
Even innocent updates—a smiling selfie, a workout check‑in, or a joke about the crash—can be misinterpreted. Limit conversations about the accident to your family, doctor, and attorney.
Step 13: Be Aware of Insurance Surveillance
In serious cases, especially truck accidents, insurance companies sometimes hire private investigators. They will watch your home, follow you in public, or record video of your activities.
This isn’t paranoia—it’s a common tactic. If you claim a back injury but are filmed lifting groceries, even carefully, the insurer can use it against you. Follow your doctor’s orders and assume you’re being observed until your claim is resolved.
Step 14: Keep All Records and Documentation
From the first day, start a dedicated file for your accident. Include:
- Medical records and bills
- Prescription and therapy receipts
- Repair estimates and receipts for your vehicle
- Proof of missed work or lost wages
- Towing, rental car, and transportation costs
Comprehensive documentation is your best weapon in securing fair compensation. Memories fade, but records speak clearly.
Step 15: Consult an Experienced Texas Personal Injury Attorney
While minor fender‑benders may be manageable on your own, accidents that result in severe or catastrophic injuries—especially those involving multiple drivers or commercial trucks—are incredibly complex to navigate. Go it alone, and you’re likely to make a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars.
How Our Undefeated Texas Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our Undefeated Texas Accident Lawyers have won billions for crash victims in Texas and across the United States, and are consistently recognized for winning the largest accident recoveries in the state of Texas.
- $23.5 Million Settlement for Texas Truck Accident Victim
- Record-Breaking Settlement in Fatigue-Related Crash ($35 Million)
- $37.5 Million Wrongful Death Verdict
- #1 Largest Accident Verdict in Texas
- #2 Largest Accident Verdict in Texas
As a result of our unprecedented success, we have the resources and experience to take on any insurance company and legal team in the country and ensure our clients recover the maximum compensation for all of their injuries and losses.
As soon as you hire our Texas Accident lawyers, we will take immediate steps to:
- Connect you with top doctors and specialists so you benefit from the best care possible
- Launch a comprehensive investigation and take necessary steps to secure critical evidence.
- Work with leading experts to build a strong case for the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Handle all communications with insurance companies—so you don’t have to
- Never settle for less than the maximum compensation that fully compensates you for all of your injuries and losses
- Prepare every case for trial, where we are undefeated
We also understand that while you are struggling to recover from your injuries, you still have bills to pay. We’re always willing to help with reasonable living and medical expenses or as long as your case is pending. Once your accident case is resolved, we’ll even connect you with top financial advisors who can help you establish a financial plan and set up trust funds to provide for you and your family for the rest of your lives.
Few firms in Houston or Texas can match that level of commitment; we genuinely care about the people we represent. In fact, if you watch our Client Video Testimonials or our firm’s YouTube channel, you’ll notice something said over and over again: We treat our clients like family.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today, Call 1-888-603-3636
If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a Texas car accident or 18-wheeler crash, you don’t have to go it alone. Our Undefeated Accident Lawyers are ready to leverage all of our knowledge, skills, and resources to help you and your family secure all of the financial compensation needed to get your lives back on track.
Call 1-888-603-3636, use the “chat” button on our homepage, or click here to send us a confidential email through our “Contact Us” form.
All consultations are free, and you won’t owe us a dime unless we win your case.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours