Being involved in any car accident is overwhelming and scary, but when another car causes you to crash, it can be especially frightening. You may be asking yourself, Another car caused me to crash, so now what? Your head may be spinning while determining whether you or the other driver is responsible and what to do moving forward.
This article discusses seven steps to take after your car crashes into another car or object in Texas. Options can be limited, and holding the other driver liable can be more challenging than you might think. Our car accident lawyer is always available to help.
Different Types of Car Accidents
Several scenarios can occur when another car causes you to crash. Two of the most common are no-contact accidents and one in which car A causes you to hit car B.
No-Contact Car Accidents
A no-contact car accident happens when another vehicle causes you to crash without ever touching your vehicle. The most common type of no-contact crash occurs when you swerve to avoid someone coming into your lane or about to collide with you.
To avoid hitting or being hit by that car, you swerve and end up crashing into a guardrail, tree, or other object, damaging your vehicle and injuring yourself in the process.
Even though you made no contact with that vehicle, it still caused you to crash. These drivers are often called “phantom drivers” if they do not stop and continue driving. Dealing with a phantom driver scenario can be highly challenging because even though you know they caused you to crash, it is difficult to prove. Sometimes, they may not even know that their actions caused a crash.
If you are involved in a no-contact accident, proving the other driver caused your accident will be challenging. Practically, this makes sense. Establishing someone or something that didn’t touch you caused you to crash is hard. Knowing what to do and what information to gather can be beneficial in no-contact accidents.
Someone Else Caused You to Crash Into Another Car
Another common scenario are multi-vehicle crashes. For instance, you are rear-ended, and the impact of that collision causes you to crash into someone else. Generally, insurance companies and courts alike will look to see if there was a primary party responsible for the crash.
If another driver caused you to crash in either of these scenarios—or possibly something else altogether—it can be an uphill battle to prove liability. However, it is not impossible, and there are steps you can take to help improve your odds of success.
7 Steps to Take Immediately After Being in a Car Accident
If another car causes you to crash, your head is probably swirling with anxiety and uncertainty. You should take several steps after any car accident, especially if another vehicle causes you to crash.
1. Call 911
It may seem obvious, but in the chaotic and scary moments right after a car accident, it is common to forget fundamental things such as calling 911. Even if you are uninjured or not seriously injured, you should call 911 to request medical personnel and law enforcement respond to the scene. Law enforcement can help safely secure the accident scene, make an accident report, and speak with witnesses.
Emergency medical personnel can tend to any injuries you might have and take you to the nearest hospital if necessary. Even if you do not need emergency medical treatment, you should always see your physician to ensure you do not have an underlying, slow-moving injury.
2. Write Down As Much Information As You Can
After the crash, you should collect as much information as possible, especially if it involved a phantom driver who did not stop. Do your best to get the make, model, color, license plate of the vehicle, and description of the driver, and jot it down as soon as possible so you do not forget.
This can be difficult if the car immediately takes off or if you are seriously injured.
3. Speak to Eyewitnesses
If you are physically capable and notice potential eyewitnesses to the crash, you should obtain their contact information and ask them for a statement of what they saw. Having more than one can be helpful when dealing with the insurance company later. Importantly, these statements should be from third-party eyewitnesses to the crash rather than family or friends who may have been in the vehicle with you.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
You should call your insurance company to report the accident as soon as you can. You want to calmly, truthfully, and accurately relay the facts of what happened. It is essential to try to keep emotions aside and relay the facts.
In no-contact accidents, the insurance company will likely treat it as an uninsured driver situation, and your uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) will likely pay.
5. Keep Track of Expenses
Whether you ultimately identify and locate the driver that caused you to crash or your insurance pays out on the claim, keeping track of all your expenses is essential. Keep detailed records of things such as:
- Medical bills,
- Anticipated medical costs,
- Lost income, and
- Cost of repair or replacement of your car.
In addition, keep copies of the accident or police report, eyewitness statements, and any correspondence to and from the insurance company. Having organized, credible records will help support your claim.
6. Turn to The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
If you are having trouble with an insurance company or you believe they are improperly denying your claim or breaking the law, the TDI can guide you on what to do. You can find more information here about getting help with an insurance complaint.
7. Consult a Car Accident Lawyer
There is no legal requirement that you hire a car accident lawyer to pursue a car accident claim, but having an experienced attorney on your side can increase your odds of successfully obtaining compensation. A lawyer is essential if you are involved in a no-contact crash and the other driver does not stop. Proving liability can take extensive investigation and discovery.
Contact Us
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we have unmatched experience, with nearly 85 years of combined experience representing personal injury clients throughout the state. If you are thinking, “Another car caused me to crash, now what?” Don’t panic. We are here to help. Contact us to schedule a compassionate, no-cost consultation.
Where You Can Find Our Waco, TX Office
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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