What to Do After a Car Accident in Austin

The moments after an Austin car accident are chaotic and frightening. Your adrenaline is pumping, you may be in pain, and critical decisions need to be made quickly. Knowing what steps to take — and what mistakes to avoid — can make the difference between a successful injury claim and one that falls apart. At McFarlane Law, we have helped thousands of Austin car accident victims, and we know exactly what steps protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial recovery.

If you have already been in an accident, call (512) 222-4900 right now for a free consultation. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your claim.

At the Scene: Safety First

Your immediate priority is safety. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately and do not attempt to move them unless there is an immediate danger such as fire. If the vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic, Texas law requires you to move them to the shoulder or a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If you cannot move the vehicle, exit carefully and move to a safe location away from traffic. Austin’s high-speed roads — I-35, MoPac, US-183 — are especially dangerous for people standing near disabled vehicles.

Call 911 and Get a Police Report

Always call 911 after a car accident, even if the damage appears minor. A police report creates an official record of the crash that includes the responding officer’s observations, statements from both drivers and witnesses, the officer’s assessment of fault, a diagram of the crash scene, and citations issued for traffic violations. This report becomes a key piece of evidence in your insurance claim and any subsequent lawsuit. Without a police report, disputes about what happened become “he said, she said” situations that are much harder to resolve in your favor. Austin Police Department responds to crashes within city limits, while Travis County Sheriff or Texas DPS handles crashes outside city boundaries.

Exchange Information

Texas law requires drivers involved in an accident to exchange identifying information. Collect the other driver’s full name and contact information, driver’s license number and state of issuance, insurance company name and policy number, vehicle make, model, year, color, and license plate number, and contact information for any passengers. Also note the location, time, and weather conditions. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers — witness testimony can be invaluable in disputed fault situations.

Document Everything

Your smartphone is your most powerful evidence-gathering tool at the accident scene. Take extensive photographs of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, the overall scene showing lane positions, traffic signals, and road conditions, skid marks, debris, and gouge marks on the pavement, traffic signs and signals near the intersection, any visible injuries you or your passengers have, the other driver’s license plate, insurance card, and driver’s license, weather and lighting conditions, and any road defects that may have contributed to the crash. Video is even better than photos — a slow walk-around video of the scene captures details you might miss in individual photographs. This evidence may be critical to proving fault later in the claims process.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Even if you feel fine after the accident, go to an emergency room or urgent care facility immediately. Many serious injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, herniated discs, and whiplash — do not produce symptoms until hours or days after the crash. A prompt medical evaluation creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries, which is essential for your insurance claim. Tell the doctor about every symptom, no matter how minor it seems. Insurance companies aggressively argue that injuries not documented immediately after the accident were caused by something else.

What NOT to Do After an Austin Car Accident

Mistakes made after a car accident can seriously damage your claim. Do not admit fault or apologize. Even saying “I’m sorry” at the scene can be used against you by insurance companies. Stick to the facts when speaking with the police and the other driver. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first consulting an attorney. These statements are used to find inconsistencies and minimize your claim. Do not post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms for posts that contradict your injury claims. Do not accept a quick settlement. Insurance companies often make early offers before the full extent of injuries is known — these offers are almost always far below what the claim is truly worth. Do not delay medical treatment or skip appointments. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries are not serious.

Contact an Attorney Before Talking to Insurance Companies

The other driver’s insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible — or nothing at all. An experienced personal injury attorney protects your interests by handling all communications with insurance companies, preserving critical evidence before it disappears, calculating the true value of your claim including future medical needs and lost earning capacity, negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement, and filing a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith. McFarlane Law handles all of this on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Keep Records of Everything

From the moment of the accident forward, document everything related to your injuries and recovery. Keep copies of all medical records and bills, prescription receipts, documentation of lost work days and wages, receipts for transportation to medical appointments, a daily journal describing your pain levels, limitations, and emotional state, and records of how the injury has affected your relationships, hobbies, and daily activities. This documentation becomes the foundation of your damages claim and helps ensure you receive full compensation.

Contact McFarlane Law Today

If you have been in an Austin car accident, the most important step you can take right now is to call an experienced attorney. McFarlane Law provides free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your rights and options. Call (512) 222-4900 or fill out the form on this page. We are available 24/7 and ready to fight for you.