5 Steps After a Car Wreck in San Antonio

In a daze, you look around to see that your airbags have deployed and your vehicle is stopped in the middle of San Antonio’s busy I-35 highway: you’ve just been in a car crash.

Whether or not this is your first time, being in a car wreck is one of the most stressful positions you can find yourself in. And yet, taking the right actions immediately after a collision could mean the difference between ending the nightmare and having the situation escalate.

Never fear: the Texas auto accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw are always standing by to help you get justice and rightful compensation after a car accident. We offer a free case review & initial consultation. Call our toll-free number at 800-862-1260. English and Spanish-speaking staff members are available 24/7 to take a look at your claim.

First, here are five things you can do to ensure your safety and the safety of others involved after a car wreck in San Antonio.

Immediately after a car crash, it’s easy to let your fear get the best of you. Take a moment to breathe and focus. Check yourself for injuries, and if you can, help any passengers get to safety. In some cases you may not be able to move small children or the elderly yourself, and in those instances you should wait until paramedics arrive to move anyone. Once you’ve done a quick assessment of possible injuries and everyone is out of harm's way, it’s time to call for help.

Did you know that depending on which state you live in dialing 911 is the law? According to the Texas Transportation Code, if someone has died, is injured, or if damage to your vehicle exceeds $1000, you are by law required to call law enforcement or paramedics. So whether your vehicle has sustained $1000 worth of damage, or you’re unsure if you or anyone else is in need of medical attention, don’t take any chances: dial 911.

Once you are certain that law enforcement is on the way, the next step is to make sure that no additional damage occurs. If your vehicle is in working order, safely move it to the side of the road. All passengers should already be out of harm’s way, but if not, now is the time to move to safety.

Your next step is to collect necessary details regarding the damage to any other vehicles involved in the wreck, as well as the information of each driver. Doing so will ensure that you’ll be ready when it’s time to file your insurance claim, as well as a police report.

Information you should be looking to collect includes:

• Use your phone to take pictures of all angles of the wreck. Make sure to also get clear pictures of each license plate.
• Ask all drivers for the make, model, year, and VIN number for their vehicles.
• Record the time, date, and location of the wreck.
• Record drivers license numbers and insurance policy numbers. Certain information like social security numbers and other personal details should never be asked for (or given!).

Last but not least, you may be tempted to come to an unofficial agreement with the other drivers involved, or to immediately call your insurance company to make a claim. Warning: don’t do either! When it comes to being compensated correctly, you could inadvertently compromise your claim in a court of law.

Your focus should be to find a certified San Antonio Tx car accident lawyer to look over your case and help you avoid any additional headaches.

Being in a car wreck in San Antonio can be scary, stressful, and costly. However, by following the steps above, you could be on your way to making a quick comeback. The great news is that you don’t have to face this alone!

The lawyers at Carabin Shaw are here to help. Don’t just take our word for it; check out our client reviews to hear what others have said about what the Carabin Shaw Law Firm has done for them.