Who to Call After a Car Accident in Texas: Your Insurance or Theirs?
What You Do First Matters More Than You Think
Knowing who to call after a car accident in Texas is not just about protocol—it’s about protecting your health, your finances, and your legal standing. The decisions you make in the minutes and hours following a crash can affect everything from your medical care to the success of your car accident insurance claim in Texas. It’s easy to be overwhelmed in the moment, but what you do first—and what you avoid doing—can make a big difference in how things unfold.
Start With Your Own Insurance Provider
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, your first call should be to your own insurance company. This isn’t an admission of guilt. It’s a smart move that helps protect your rights and benefits. In Texas, insurance policies typically require you to report accidents promptly. Failing to notify your insurer in time could put your coverage at risk or create delays in getting your vehicle repaired and your medical bills paid.
If your policy includes personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments coverage (MedPay), or collision insurance, your own provider can offer support right away. These types of coverage can help with immediate medical costs, vehicle damage, and transportation—regardless of who caused the accident. Getting the ball rolling with your insurer also creates a clear paper trail that supports your case if legal action or further claims become necessary.
Be Cautious With the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
While you’re obligated to talk to your own insurer, you are not required to speak with the other driver’s insurance company—at least not without legal guidance. That insurer’s job is to protect their client and limit payouts. Even if they sound friendly and helpful, adjusters are trained to ask questions that can lead you to downplay your injuries or suggest you were partially at fault. And yes, they’re often recording.
Talking to the other driver’s insurer too soon, or saying the wrong thing, can damage your ability to get fair compensation. That’s why it’s usually best to consult with an attorney before engaging in any conversation beyond the most basic details, such as confirming the accident occurred.
Uninsured or Underinsured? Your Own Policy May Step In
Despite Texas law requiring all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, many drivers still don’t. Others may have policies that aren’t nearly enough to cover serious damage or injuries. If you’re hit by someone who’s uninsured—or underinsured—your own car accident insurance claim in Texas will likely rely on uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
This part of your policy essentially takes the place of the at-fault driver’s insurance and compensates you for losses they can’t cover. But don’t assume your insurer will roll over and pay without pushback. In this situation, your insurance company essentially becomes your opponent. It’s crucial to build your claim with strong evidence—photos, medical records, witness statements—and to be prepared for negotiation. Legal support can be critical here.
Injuries Make Claims More Complicated
Accidents involving injuries always carry added complications. The full scope of physical damage—whiplash, fractures, brain injuries, internal trauma—may not be obvious right away. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly before the long-term consequences of your injuries are fully known. They may offer what looks like a fair settlement, but if you accept and sign a release too soon, you lose the right to pursue more compensation later.
It’s vital to get medical attention right away, follow your doctor’s advice, and document everything. Keep track of prescriptions, diagnoses, treatment plans, and how your injuries affect your daily life. Avoid discussing your condition with the other driver’s insurer and don’t share any medical details unless legally required. This documentation not only strengthens your car accident insurance claim in Texas but also helps your attorney accurately calculate damages.
What About the Police Report?
Calling law enforcement is another critical step that benefits you in multiple ways. A police report provides an official, unbiased account of the crash. It includes important details—location, time, road conditions, witness statements, and who the officer believed was at fault. This report can be powerful evidence in your claim and is often required when filing with your insurer.
Even in minor accidents, having a police report can prevent the other party from changing their story later. And if the officer cites the other driver for a violation—like speeding or running a red light—it adds extra weight to your case.
Legal Help Can Make All the Difference
You don’t need to navigate the insurance maze alone. If your injuries are serious, fault is unclear, or the other side is playing hardball, getting legal representation is one of the smartest moves you can make. A personal injury attorney can handle communications with insurers, negotiate for fair compensation, and guide your decisions about settlement versus litigation.
At JB Law Group, we don’t pass cases off to junior staff or keep clients in the dark. The attorney you meet with is the one who stays with your case from start to finish. We know who to call after a car accident in Texas, what to say, and what to avoid—because we’ve done it for hundreds of clients across the state.
The Bottom Line
In the aftermath of a crash, timing and strategy matter. Always contact your own insurer first and be wary of speaking to the other driver’s insurance company without legal advice. Use your own coverage to your advantage, especially if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. Document your injuries and expenses carefully, and don’t accept quick settlement offers without understanding the long-term impact.
Knowing who to call after a car accident in Texas—and what steps to take next—can mean the difference between a frustrating, drawn-out ordeal and a smooth path to compensation and recovery. If you’re in Spring, Houston, or anywhere in the Greater Houston area, JB Law Group is here to help you do it right the first time. Call now to start your claim the smart way.
