Check for injuries and car damages.
Move to a safe place.
Call 911 as soon as possible to report the accident.
Open your insurance mobile app.
Collect other driver’s info such as insurance information, personal information, and driver’s license.
If any witness saw the accident, ask for their personal information too, it will be an important fact that your insurance company might need.
Take & upload photos of the damage. The more proof you have, the better.
Record a statement from the scene.
Call your insurance company, you can find the number on your insurance card.
After an accident, both parties are responsible for reporting the accident and collecting info.
What do you collect after a car accident in Texas?
Other driver’s info to collect after a car accident
Your insurance company may ask you for this other driver’s info including:
Policy number
Name
Phone Number
Driver Licence
Birthdate
Address
License plate number
Car information (model, number and year) take photos if possible
Give the same information to the other driver.
Should you move your car?
If no one is hurt, both parties should move their car to allow traffic flow. Just be sure to take photos of the situation before doing it.
When do I need to call the police?
Texas Transportation says to call the police in one of the following situations:
Vehicles cannot be moved
If you hit an insured driver
If you were involved in a hit and run accident
The other driver was under the influence
An injury or fatality happened
Do all accidents have to be reported?
Depends on what you would like to do. For best practices report the accident to 911 and your insurance company.
You may ask, “Do I need to contact my insurance after a minor accident?” and there is no yes or no answer. It’s your personal decision but for best practices report your accident.
Before doing it, just remember what type of coverage you have. If you’re not sure about that, feel free to ask and follow your agent’s advice.
If your auto insurance company has an app, you can file a claim on your mobile phone.
Is there a time limit to report a car accident to insurance?
The sooner, the better. Most of the companies have deadlines to file a claim. Get to the point and explain what happened, get your info, other driver’s info, witness details, and photos.
What happens if I don’t call my insurance after an accident?
Things can turn complicated. Your carrier may not cover your accident and you may end up having to pay out of pocket.
Do I have to pay a deductible if I was not at fault?
It depends on two things:
in At-Fault Systems like in Texas, just if the at-fault driver’s policy isn’t enough to cover your damages, so then you need to be covered by your insurance company and that also means, you’ll pay the deductible but your company may pay you back by recovering from other driver or insurance company.
To do that, you have to be sure you have collision or uninsured coverage.
Click To Read More: Why Is It Mandatory To Have Auto Insurance in Texas?
Do I need to contact my insurance company if I not at fault?
If you’re 100% you’re not at fault, the best thing you can do is call to other driver’s insurance company. So be sure to collect all the info about the third party.
If you’re not really sure, you can call your insurance company to follow their instructions.
Keep in mind: every time your insurance company covers you, you need to pay deductible even if you’re not at fault.
How does car insurance work if I’m not at fault?
Talking about the auto insurance industry in Texas, if you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company may be able to pay for your damages and medical bills. But first, they need to do an investigation to determine who was at fault. If they determine you’re not at fault, they will be covered based on the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Will my premium go up if I am not at fault?
It’s not as simple as a yes or no answer, your auto insurance company needs to review the situation and determine if your premium will go up. We must say, having an accident, regardless of your not-at-fault, could mean changes in your policy.
Can both parties be at fault in an accident?
Yes, insurance companies can decide if both drivers are at fault. In that case, each part should file an insurance claim.
Does a no-fault accident go on your record?
Yes, in Texas any time you’re involved in a car accident -regardless who was at fault- or traffic violation it might appear on your record. It will be cleaned after 15 years, except Driver Under Influence violation that never will be removed from any driver record.
You need to check with your insurance company if that may affect or higher your insurance premium. Sometimes affect and sometimes doesn’t. It depends on many factors such as your type of coverage.
What to do after a car accident that’s your fault?
Do not flee the scene. It’s illegal and the consequences are far worse.
Do not say you’re at fault, even if it might be. Let the facts and adjusters determine fault.
Share your information with the other driver if necessary.
Report the accident.
Even for at-fault accidents, the insurance policy in Texas may cover the following third-party damages:
Medical fees and hospital stays for the driver and passengers.
Repair or replace the vehicle.
Rental car reimbursement
Lost wages for injuries.
If the cost of the damages exceed what at-fault driver’s policy limits, the damage driver may fill a policy with their insurance company to pay for the difference if they have collision coverage.
Sometimes, insurance companies decide both drivers are at fault and will pay part of the claim.
Does insurance pay if it’s your fault?
Yes, if at-fault drivers have liability coverage, the insurance company will cover other driver’s damage. Unless the at-fault driver has collision and comprehensive coverage, their insurance company may be able to cover their own damages.
It depends on the policy limits how much coverage at-fault drivers will be.
Should you admit fault in a car accident?
Not really, the best thing that both parties can do is wait for the insurance company and cops decision.
Stay in the collision area, never leave the scene, take witness information, give your own driver and insurance information, ask other driver’s information and follow the instructions of the authorities.
If they determine who’s the at-fault driver, this person needs to be responsible and follow the law.
How does insurance decide who is at fault?
Insurance companies look at the state laws and traffic rules to determine which driver is at fault. Also, they talk with the involved drivers and making a liability decision by getting statements for involved parties.
Does a police report say who was at fault?
It might say but isn’t the only thing that auto insurance companies consider to determine who is at fault. Why does it happen? In the end, most of the time, police came after the accident and they report what they saw and what involved parties said about.
That’s why, regardless the police report indicates who is at-fault, auto insurance companies need to investigate before give their last verdict.
How long does an at-fault accident stay on your record?
In Texas, your record will be cleaned after 15 years in most of the cases, but car accidents because of Driver Under Influence (or Driver While Influence) or another type of serious driving violation never be removed.
Every insurance company has different rules to rate after driving violations, some of them after DUI
Texas is an at-fault state and it’s illegal to drive a car without auto insurance. Be a responsible citizen and get the coverage that protects you against accidents.
After everything has been filed, give your company some time to process and gather all the details. stay in touch with your adjuster and agent.
They work for you and are there to help assist in this unforeseen period.
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