If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in Austin, Texas, it is very important that you know what to do. If you have any questions, you can contact Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers for a 100% free consultation in Spanish.

No one wants to be involved in a car accident. However, in 2022 alone, 12,768 car crashes were reported in Austin. Some accidents are resolved through negotiations that our legal team will conduct for you. It is always good to keep in mind the following 10 measures to protect yourself after an accident in Austin.

1 – Health is the most important thing

The first thing to remember is that health and safety are paramount. Therefore, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention for yourself, your passengers, and any other people involved in the accident.

Below, we explain the main recommendations to follow after a car accident in Austin:

1. Turn off your car.
2. Turn on the flashing lights.
3. Do not make strong or rapid movements, unless you are in danger inside the car.
4. Check your body for possible injuries.
5. Remember that the car crash has given you an adrenaline rush, even if you don’t have any visible damage, it doesn’t mean you haven’t suffered an injury.
6. Check the condition of other passengers. Do not move anyone who cannot move on their own, unless they would be in danger if they remained in the car.
7. If you smell gasoline, get out and help other passengers get out of the car.
8. Walk at a safe distance. Don’t stand in the middle of the street.
9. If you do not detect the smell of gasoline and do not perceive any danger at that moment, remain inside the car.
10. If you see people in another car in danger, do what you can to help them.
11. Remember, cars and property can be replaced, but human life cannot. Your health and safety, and that of others, is a priority.

2 – Call 911

Call 911 as soon as possible. They will dispatch medical services to treat everyone involved and the police to file an accident report. Texas law requires all drivers involved in an accident with injuries to report the accident to the Department of Transportation.

3 – Get information from the other driver

Once you’ve made sure it’s safe to move and that you’re not seriously injured, get out of your vehicle and exchange some basic information with the other driver. According to Texas Transportation Code Section 550.023 drivers must provide the following information:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Cellular number
4. Name of the insurance company
5. Insurance policy number
6. Driver’s license data
7. Vehicle information: License plate, model, year, etc.

If for health reasons the other driver cannot exchange information with you, don’t worry, remember, health is the most important thing. Wait for the police, they will take the information and make the car accident report. You can ask the police for the information of the other driver and the insurance company.

If the other driver does not have insurance, don’t worry, call our team immediately. Remember that at Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers we offer you a 100% free consultation in Spanish.

4 – Talk to the police

Provide the police with the necessary information, including your name, license, insurance information and a description of the accident.

Even if the accident seems minor, ask for a copy of the police report that was drawn up about the crash and the accident number. This will help you file a claim for damages with the insurance company.

Police reports contain all the essential information and can be very useful to your insurance company or attorney when making a claim for damages or clearing up a dispute over fault. Go to the Texas Department of Transportation website, provide the necessary information and download the report.

If for some reason the police are unable to get to the scene of a traffic incident in Austin, and there was an injury or property damage, it may be up to you to file the accident report. To do this, you will need to fill out the “Blue Form CR-2.” This report must be filed within 10 days after the accident.

However, after an accident, the last thing you want is to have to fill out legal forms. That is why it is important that you contact an expert lawyer as soon as possible to handle that part of the accident so that you can just concentrate on your recovery with your family.

5 – Notify your insurance company

After an accident, it is important to notify your insurance company. However, you should only keep in mind that insurance companies, including yours, will prioritize the profits of their investors. They often use their resources to avoid paying victims or pay them the minimum.

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It is therefore important that you do not sign or declare anything in front of the insurance company representative, and that you immediately call a lawyer. This way you ensure that your legal team will be the one to conduct negotiations directly with the insurance company, so that you can focus on your recovery while your lawyers represent you in the legal part of your case.

6 – Gather evidence

If possible, take photos and/or videos of:

1. The scene of the accident.
2. Injuries suffered by you or your passengers.
3. Damage to cars.
4. Witness statements.

Obtain contact information for people who witnessed the accident and ask them to describe what they saw. You may want to write down, record audio or video of the following information:

1. Name of the witness.
2. Address.
3. Contact number.
4. Email.
5. An account of what they saw of the accident.

This evidence can clarify doubts if there is a dispute over guilt. Remember that a photo or video says more than a thousand words. Photos of the moment can help process your claim efficiently so that you receive the compensation you deserve.

7 – If the accident was not your responsibility

If the accident was not your fault, stay calm. The at-fault party’s insurance company will cover your medical expenses and repairs. If your expenses exceed the costs anticipated by the other driver’s insurance company, don’t worry, your insurance company will most likely cover them.

Even if the insurance company covers the expenses, you may decide to consult with your attorney to find out if you are entitled to more compensation. At Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers, we will provide you with representation based on a contingent fee scheme. This means that by taking your case, you will never have to pay them out of pocket. At Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers, we only charge if we win your case and the fee is a minor percentage of your total compensation.

It is also very important to remember that even if your immigration status is not regularized or you do not have immigration documents, it does not prevent you from having the right to receive compensation for the damages suffered in a car accident. Texas law protects you and gives you the right to sue and claim compensation for damages suffered in an accident. Your immigration status does not matter. As an accident victim, you have the right to claim fair compensation regardless of your immigration status.

8 – Yes, there is a dispute over guilt

In case there is a dispute over guilt, call your lawyers immediately. Remember that at Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers we offer a 100% free consultation in Spanish.

9 – If you believe that the accident was your responsibility

Stay calm, remember, health and safety are the most important thing. Once you are sure that your life and the lives of others are not in danger, follow the recommendations above, but keep the following in mind:

1. Don’t accept blame. Even if you believe you are responsible, this should be determined by experts.
2. Wait to get the police report.
3. Call your insurance company as soon as possible.
4. Take photos or videos of the weather or road conditions that may have influenced the accident, as well as the cars involved.

If you receive a notice that the other driver is suing you, stay calm and call your insurance company. It is also important to consult with an experienced attorney.

10 – Keep and maintain a record of all information related to the accident

Write down everything you remember about the accident:

1. Date.
2. Hour.
3. Accident site.
4. Weather and road conditions.
5. Information about the other driver and his/her insurance policy.
6. Information of all passengers, their names and cell phone numbers.
7. Names and badge numbers of the officers who arrived at the scene of the crash in Austin.
8. Austin traffic incident police report number.
9. Name and company information of medical and first aid personnel.
10. Medical report provided at the scene of the car accident.
11. If you or any of your passengers had to go to the hospital or visit the doctor as a result of the accident, keep records of all visits, prescriptions, tests, expenses and diagnoses.

Keep calm and call Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers

Navigating the legal, medical, and insurance issues after a car accident can be overwhelming and frustrating. But don’t worry, stay calm, call 911, your insurance company, and Abogado Dang – Accident Lawyers. We are here to help you through the entire process. We have a multicultural team that speaks many languages ​​and will provide assistance in the language you prefer. We can explain the legal process step by step and will fight to get the insurance companies to pay you all the compensation you are entitled to.

If you have suffered a car accident with injuries or property damage, call us and get a 100% free and confidential consultation in Spanish. Call the DANG lawyer to give BANG to the insurance companies!

Information verified by lawyer Loc Dang

Loc Dang is a founder and member of our legal team. In this blog, Attorney Dang shares his expertise to guide accident victims.