Board-Certified Personal Injury Attorney
You are shaken up, your car is damaged, and you have no idea what comes next. That feeling of uncertainty after a car accident is completely normal, but the decisions you make right now can affect your health, your finances, and your legal options for years to come. Texas law sets strict deadlines for reporting the crash, seeking medical care, and filing a claim. A Galveston County car accident attorney at Bill Wells Attorney at Law can take the legal weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Stop, Check for Injuries, and Call 911
The very first thing to do after a car accident is to confirm that everyone involved is safe. Check yourself, your passengers, and the occupants of any other vehicles for injuries, and contact emergency medical services right away if anyone is hurt. If you can move safely, turn on your hazard lights and move your vehicle out of active traffic to prevent a secondary collision.
Texas law is clear about a driver’s responsibility following any motor vehicle accident.
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.021, drivers involved in a collision that results, or is reasonably likely to result, in injury to or death of a person must stop at the scene. Under Section 550.022, drivers involved in a collision resulting in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by another person must do the same. Leaving the scene of an accident carries serious criminal penalties, including potential felony charges if injuries are involved.
Texas law also requires that all car accidents that result in any of the following be reported to law enforcement by the quickest means possible:
- Injury
- Death
- Property damage to the extent that the vehicle cannot be normally and safely driven
If the accident is minor but you are unsure of the cost of property damage, call 911 anyway. Having a police report on file creates an official record that supports your insurance claim and strengthens your legal position if a dispute arises later.
Document the Scene and Exchange Information
Once you and the other parties are safe and help is on the way, begin gathering evidence at the scene. This includes taking photos and videos of the accident, damage to your car, skid marks, and any contributing factors such as improper road signage or weather conditions. Also, gather the contact information of any witnesses, including their names and contact information.
While waiting for the police to arrive, request that the parties involved exchange insurance coverage information. Texas law requires that motorists engage in this exchange while at the crash site. Do not rely on the police to handle all of this for you. Even in cases where the investigating officer secures the contact information of each driver, you may still have to wait until the crash report is released to receive these details. Snap a photo of the other driver’s license and insurance card with your phone so you have everything you need from the start.
One critical rule to remember at an accident scene is not to admit fault. No matter how adamantly the other party insists that you were at fault, never state that you accept the blame. The other party may use your statements to their advantage during the claim evaluation and police investigation. It is difficult to determine the cause of an accident right away. Stick to the facts when speaking with officers, and let the investigation determine responsibility.
Get Medical Attention and Protect Your Claim
Even if you feel fine after the wreck, see a doctor as soon as possible. Many serious injuries, including concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage, may not produce immediate symptoms. Prompt medical evaluation ensures proper diagnosis and creates documentation linking any injuries to the accident.
Delays in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries were not serious or were not caused by the accident.
Keep all medical records from your emergency room visit, follow-up appointments, and prescribed treatments. These documents form the backbone of any personal injury claim. Attend every scheduled appointment, and keep a written log of your symptoms, limitations, and any days of missed work in the weeks after the crash.
After seeking medical care, report the accident to your own insurance company. Call your insurer and stick to basic facts: date, time, location, and vehicles involved. Do not guess about injuries or vehicle damage. Most insurance policies require prompt notification, but you are not required to give a recorded statement immediately.
Be especially cautious about speaking with the other driver’s insurance company. Their job is to pay as little as possible on the claim. Attorney Bill Wells and the team at The Payne Law Group always recommend speaking with an attorney before giving any detailed statement to an opposing insurer.
How Texas Fault Rules Affect Your Galveston County Claim
Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages. Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule, known as proportionate responsibility, you can recover damages after an accident if you are found to be 50% or less at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If you are 51% or more responsible, you are not entitled to any recovery.
This rule is why insurance adjusters work aggressively to shift blame onto injured drivers. Insurance companies often use the Texas 51% bar rule to propose reduced settlements, arguing that the claimant’s share of fault reduces their liability. Having strong legal representation is vital. In Galveston County, where multi-vehicle accidents on I-45 and the Gulf Freeway are common, fault can be genuinely complex, and a small shift in percentages can mean the difference between full compensation and nothing at all.
You also need to act within the legal deadline. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. While two years may seem like enough time, evidence fades, witnesses relocate, and insurance companies use delay to their advantage. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your position.
Talk to Bill Wells About Your Galveston County Car Accident
If you have been hurt in a car accident in Galveston County, Attorney Bill Wells can help you understand your options and protect your claim from day one. Bill Wells personally handles every case, offering the kind of one-on-one attention that larger firms cannot match, backed by more than 30 years of trial experience and over 500 Galveston County court appearances. Our motor vehicle accident attorney fees are based on a contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we recover. Contact our office today to schedule your free appointment with an attorney. Se Habla Español.