What Should You Do After an Accident?
1. Check for injuries. If people are hurt, tend to them.
2. Move your car out of the roadway to a safer place where you can exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, insurance information and driver license information.
3. Note the location of the crash and get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. If the vehicles cannot be moved, protect the scene by setting up flares or raising your hood.
4. Always call the police when:
- An injury or fatality is involved
- The vehicles cannot be moved
- You suspect one of the drivers is intoxicated
- One of the drivers has no insurance
- One of the drivers leaves the scene
5. The law requires that you move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic if it is moveable. If you are in a collision and no one is hurt don’t wait for the police to arrive before moving your vehicle.
6. In case of property damage only, stop and exchange information.
7. If you hit an unattended vehicle, find the driver or write your name and address on a note explaining what happened. You must also include the owner’s name and address if the vehicle you are driving doesn’t belong to you.
8. Texas law requires drivers to have basic liability coverage called “20/40/15" which means $20,000.00 per injured person up to a $40,000.00 maximum for everyone injured and $15,000.00 in property damage. Be ready to show your insurance card when requested by the police.
9. Notify your insurance carrier right away.
10. If you are injured seek medical attention promptly.
11. Advise your healthcare provider if you have PIP or Med-Pay coverage so they can file their claims with your carrier instead of requiring payment from you up front.
12. If you are covered under a policy of health care insurance or Medicare or Medicaid you should advise your healthcare provider and go ahead and file claims for your treatment. In the event that you obtain a recovery from the automobile insurance company, you will be required to repay Medicare, Medicaid, Med-Pay or your health insurance carrier for their payments.
One last tip: Drive defensively. Remember that other drivers may not have seen this Web site.
