Common Mistakes To Avoid After A Car Crash in Texas
Failing to Call the Police
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a car accident is not calling the police. Always call 911 after a collision, even if the accident seems minor. Calling the police creates an official 911 call record, which can later serve as critical evidence that the accident occurred when and how you reported it.
In addition to calling 911, always request that a police officer respond to the scene. A police report provides independent documentation of the accident, identifies the parties involved, notes witness information, and often includes the officer’s preliminary assessment of fault. Insurance companies place significant weight on police reports, and failing to obtain one can make proving your case much harder.
Not Collecting Proper Information at the Scene
Another common mistake is failing to gather key information from the other driver. At the scene of the accident, you should always obtain:
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A copy or photo of the defendant’s driver’s license
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A copy or photo of their insurance card
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A photo of the defendant
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Photos of the defendant’s vehicle, including license plates and damage
Do not rely on the other driver to “provide it later.” Information can be forgotten, disputed, or intentionally withheld. Taking photos ensures accuracy and protects you from later denials.
It is also extremely important to review the insurance card carefully. Make sure the policy is valid and not expired. An expired insurance card can indicate coverage issues that may impact how your claim proceeds.
Declining Ambulance Services Out of Fear of the Bill
Many people refuse ambulance transport because they are afraid of receiving an ambulance bill in the mail. While that concern is understandable, refusing medical care at the scene can seriously harm both your health and your injury claim.
Your health must always come first. Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries like concussions, internal injuries, and soft-tissue damage may not be immediately obvious. Accepting ambulance services creates medical documentation that directly links your injuries to the accident — documentation that insurance companies cannot easily dismiss.
Ambulance bills can be addressed later. Missing critical medical documentation cannot.
Refusing to Go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care
Similarly, many accident victims refuse to go to the emergency room, a stand-alone ER, or urgent care on the day of the accident. This is a major mistake.
Seeking medical care the same day as the accident is one of the strongest ways to document that your injuries were caused by the collision. Emergency rooms do not require upfront payment for care, and treatment can often begin quickly, even if you are unsure how the bills will ultimately be handled.
If you are unable to go the same day, seek medical treatment as soon as you reasonably can. Delays in care give insurance adjusters and defense attorneys an opportunity to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.
Failing to Use Available Health Insurance or Auto Insurance
Another common and costly mistake is refusing to file claims through your health insurance or auto insurance. Many people believe that avoiding using their available health and auto insurance will somehow help their case, but the opposite is usually true.
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys will question why you failed to use the insurance available to you to mitigate your damages. They may argue that you made your injuries worse by not seeking appropriate care or that you were not truly injured if you declined treatment options that were readily available.
Using your health insurance or auto insurance shows that you took reasonable steps to address your injuries responsibly.
Stopping or Refusing Ongoing Medical Care
Refusing ongoing medical treatment — or stopping care too early — can significantly hurt your case and limit the value of your damages. Insurance companies, defense attorneys, and even juries rely heavily on medical records, not just your personal account of pain.
If there is no documentation showing continued treatment, follow-up appointments, or recommended care, insurers will argue that your injuries resolved quickly or were not severe. Even if you are still in pain, it is extremely difficult to recover compensation for injuries that are not documented.
Medical records tell the story of your injury. Without them, your case becomes far harder to prove.
Saying or Doing Too Much Without Legal Guidance
While not always obvious, another mistake is speaking too freely with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney. Insurance companies are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to question your credibility or reduce your claim.
Before giving recorded statements or signing documents, it is wise to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the process and protect your rights.
Protecting Yourself Starts Early
What you do in the minutes, hours, and days after a car accident matters. Proper documentation, prompt medical care, and smart insurance decisions can make the difference between a successful claim and a denied one.
At Rocky Walton Injury Lawyers, we help clients avoid these common pitfalls and guide them through every step of the process. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and has questions about what to do next, contact us today. We are here to protect your health, your rights, and your future.
