If you are involved in an auto accident, there are steps you should take to assist you in recalling certain events and preserve evidence, should it become necessary for you or your accident lawyer to prove that another person’s negligent driving was the cause of the accident.

Before worrying about anything else, the most important step to take immediately after a car accident is to remain calm and move your car to the side of the road (if possible) and out of the way of traffic. If your car cannot be driven to the side of the road, safety experts suggest that you and all passengers remain in the vehicle with seatbelts fastened until help arrives. Of course, common sense should be applied in ascertaining the safest course of action in each particular situation.

Exchange the following information with all parties involved in the accident:

• Name, address, and phone number of driver
• Driver’s license number and state of issuance
• Insurance company and policy number
• If the name of the insured is different than that of the driver, ascertain the relationship to the driver
• License plate number and state of issuance
• If the driver is not the owner of the automobile, obtain the name, address, and phone number of the owner of the vehicle and ascertain the relationship to the driver
• Do not make any statements to the parties involved, witnesses, or police that the accident was your fault (even if you think it was)

Writing down details of the events leading up to, during, and after the injury is an effective way for you to ensure that you will remember certain facts. Such information should include:

• The exact location of the collision (names of streets and intersections, approximate distances to identifiable road markers, etc.)
• Description of all the cars involved (make, model, color)
• Details of how the accident happened

Witnesses may also become crucial, and you should try to obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses immediately.

If police or emergency medical personnel assisted you at the scene of the injury, you can always obtain a report, which will describe the geographical location of the injury, date, time, names and contact information of witnesses, if any, and the names and addresses of any other parties involved.

In the unfortunate event that you were seriously injured, these reports may be useful because you may not have been physically able to make these observations, or obtain other important information when the injury occurred.

It is important to keep accurate records related to your injury. Create a file containing all receipts, medical records, police reports, photographs, etc. Keep a journal describing your injuries and what you remember about the event. If you have missed work because of your injuries, keep track of the hours or days you missed, and how much income you missed as a result.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a vehicle accident, our Texas personal injury attorneys have the experience and resources to help you through this difficult time and obtain just compensation for your injuries. Please call 800-248-6000 or contact us for a free consultation.

About The Author

Justin Roberts

Justin is a personal injury attorney at Roberts & Roberts. He focuses his practice on mass tort litigation, where he specializes in helping individuals who are harmed by recalled or unsafe pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices. Justin was named a “Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and has been recognized as a “Top 40 Under 40” attorney by The National Trial Lawyers, The American Institute of Trial Lawyers, and The American Academy of Attorneys. He is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a Fellow of The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and a Member of the Texas Bar College honorary society.

See author's posts