Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Case)

Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Case)

Car Accident Legal Advice | Gibbs & Crivelli

When Your Life Gets Derailed: Navigating the Legal Maze After a Car Accident

Car accident legal advice is essential for anyone who has just experienced a crash, especially in Texas where accidents happen at an alarming rate. If you’ve been in an accident and need immediate guidance, here’s what you need to know:

Quick Car Accident Legal Advice: First Steps
1. Ensure safety – Move to a safe location if possible
2. Call 911 – Report the accident to police
3. Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor
4. Document everything – Take photos and gather witness information
5. Do not admit fault – Watch what you say at the scene
6. Notify your insurance – Report the accident promptly
7. Consult an attorney – Before speaking with the other party’s insurance

The aftermath of a car crash can feel like your world has been turned upside down. In 2022 alone, Fort Worth experienced 13,401 car accidents, with 114 fatal crashes resulting in 120 deaths. Behind these statistics are real people facing medical bills, insurance battles, and the stress of recovery.

You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Many accident victims describe the days following a crash as a blur of pain, paperwork, and phone calls. Insurance adjusters might be calling while you’re still trying to process what happened.

Studies show that injury claims handled by personal injury attorneys typically result in settlements three times larger than those handled by individuals on their own. This isn’t surprising when you consider the complex legal landscape of Texas car accident law, including modified comparative negligence rules that can significantly impact your compensation.

The purpose of this guide is simple: to help you steer the legal aftermath of your car accident without losing your mind—or your case. Whether you’re dealing with a minor fender-bender or a serious collision, understanding your rights and the proper steps to take can make all the difference.

Step-by-step flowchart showing the legal process after a car accident, from scene documentation through insurance claims to potential litigation - Car accident legal advice infographic

What to Do Immediately After a Crash in Texas

Car accident scene checklist - Car accident legal advice

Your heart’s racing, your hands are shaking, and your mind is spinning with a thousand thoughts. Take a deep breath—we’ve got you covered with the essential steps to take right after a crash happens.

Texas law takes car accidents seriously. Under Transportation Code Section 550.026, you’re legally required to report accidents involving injuries, deaths, or significant property damage. But beyond the legal requirements, these first steps protect both your well-being and your rights.

First, check for injuries and call 911. Your safety comes first, always. Even if you feel “fine,” adrenaline can mask pain and injuries. Many crash victims don’t feel the full extent of their injuries until hours or even days later, so it’s wise to get checked out.

Move to safety when possible. If your car is creating a hazard but still drivable, Texas law actually requires you to carefully move it to a safer spot nearby. This prevents secondary accidents and keeps you out of harm’s way.

Get the police involved. The responding officer will create a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3), which becomes gold when dealing with insurance companies later. This official document establishes the basic facts of what happened, when, and where.

While waiting for police, exchange information with other drivers involved. Get their names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, license plates, and insurance information. Don’t forget to note the make, model, and color of all vehicles—these details matter.

Your smartphone is your best friend in these moments. Document everything thoroughly. Take photos of all vehicles from multiple angles, damage close-ups, the entire scene, road conditions, traffic signs, weather conditions, and any visible injuries you’ve sustained. This visual evidence often speaks louder than words when establishing what happened.

If bystanders witnessed the crash, politely ask for their contact information. Witness accounts can be incredibly valuable, especially when fault is disputed. A neutral third party’s perspective can make or break your case.

Texas law requires you to provide “reasonable assistance” to anyone injured in an accident you’re involved in—whether calling for help or, if necessary, helping transport them to receive medical care.

Instant Car Accident Legal Advice: The First 10 Minutes

Those first ten minutes after impact are critical. Here’s some immediate car accident legal advice to help you steer this stressful time with a clearer head:

Turn on those hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers and prevent another collision. Then take a moment for some deep, calming breaths. A clear mind makes better decisions, and you’ll need your wits about you.

Be extremely careful about what you say. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of fault, regardless of your intentions. Stick to checking if everyone is okay without commenting on who caused the accident.

After calling emergency services, reach out to someone you trust. Having support can help ground you and ensure you don’t forget important steps during this overwhelming time.

Use your phone’s voice memo feature to record your immediate recollections while they’re fresh. Note the exact time, precise location, street names, direction of travel, and nearby landmarks. These details often become fuzzy later.

According to Texas Department of Transportation data, the most common factors in Fort Worth accidents are speeding (20.5%) and driver inattention (15.5%). Keeping these statistics in mind might help you identify potential causes when documenting your situation.

Evidence You Must Collect Before Leaving

Before you leave the scene, make sure you’ve gathered these critical pieces of evidence:

Your documentation should include driver’s license information from all involved parties, insurance cards (photograph both sides), and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) of all vehicles. Don’t forget to get contact details for all passengers and witnesses, plus the badge number and name of responding officers and the crash report number for later reference.

Consider creating a quick video walking around the entire scene while narrating what you see. This comprehensive approach captures details you might otherwise miss or forget in the stress of the moment.

If you have visible injuries, photograph them immediately and continue documenting them as they develop over the coming days. Scientific research on whiplash and other common car accident injuries shows that symptoms often worsen 24-72 hours after impact as inflammation sets in and adrenaline wears off.

Environmental factors matter too—note the time of day, lighting conditions, and weather. These seemingly small details can play a significant role when determining who was at fault and to what degree.

By taking these steps, you’re not just following the law—you’re building the foundation for protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve for what you’ve been through. And remember, you don’t have to steer this alone.

How Fault & Comparative Negligence Shape Your Claim

When it comes to car accidents in Texas, understanding who’s at fault isn’t just about pointing fingers—it directly impacts your wallet. Texas uses what’s called “modified comparative negligence” with a 51% bar rule. Don’t worry if that sounds like legal mumbo-jumbo—I’ll break it down for you.

Think of fault like a pie chart. If you’re found to be responsible for 50% or less of that pie, you can still recover damages, but your compensation gets sliced by your percentage of fault. However, if you’re 51% or more responsible—you’re out of luck completely.

Here’s how it works in real life: Let’s say you’re awarded $100,000 for your injuries and damages, but evidence shows you were texting when the accident happened, making you 20% at fault. Instead of getting the full amount, you’ll receive $80,000.

So who decides these fault percentages? It’s not just one person with a magic wand. Several factors come into play:

Police reports often include the officer’s assessment of who did what wrong. Traffic citations issued at the scene can be smoking guns when it comes to establishing fault. Other elements like violations of traffic laws, eyewitness accounts, and physical evidence like skid marks or damage patterns all help paint the picture of responsibility.

Sometimes, video footage from dashcams or nearby businesses can be the decisive factor. In complex cases, accident reconstruction specialists might be brought in to provide expert testimony about exactly how the crash unfolded.

One thing to remember: insurance adjusters conduct their own investigations and may assign fault differently than what’s in the police report. This is why documenting everything yourself is so crucial—it’s your best defense against unfair fault assignments.

Real-World Examples of Shared Fault in Texas

Fault isn’t always black and white. Here are some situations we’ve seen play out in the real world:

Imagine you’re stopped at a red light and get rear-ended—seems like an open-and-shut case, right? Not necessarily. If your brake lights weren’t working, you might bear 30% of the blame despite being the one hit from behind.

Or consider a five-car pileup on I-35 in Austin. The driver who started the chain reaction might be 60% at fault, but the other drivers who were following too closely could each bear 10-20% responsibility for not maintaining safe distances.

Left-turn collisions are another common scenario. While the turning driver typically bears responsibility when hitting an oncoming vehicle, that can flip if the oncoming driver was speeding or ran a red light—resulting in a 50/50 split or even favoring the turning driver.

In our years representing Texans, we’ve seen how proper documentation and expert testimony can dramatically shift how fault gets divided. This becomes especially critical when multiple parties are involved or when fault is hotly disputed.

Protecting Yourself When the Insurer Blames You

Insurance companies aren’t in business to hand out money—they’re trying to protect their bottom line. When they try to pin the blame on you, here’s how to fight back:

Never give recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance without talking to an attorney first. These recordings are fishing expeditions designed to catch you saying something—anything—that could increase your percentage of fault.

Be smart about social media. Those vacation photos or that “feeling great!” status update might seem innocent, but insurance investigators are watching. Consider taking a social media break while your claim is pending, or at minimum, keep mum about your accident and activities.

Preserve all evidence from the scene. If your vehicle has a “black box” event data recorder, this information should be secured quickly before it’s lost during repairs or if the vehicle is scrapped.

Document every conversation you have with insurance adjusters. Note the date, time, who you spoke with, and what was discussed. This paper trail can be invaluable if stories change later.

Most importantly, consult with an attorney before accepting any fault determination. At Gibbs & Crivelli, we’ve helped countless clients challenge unfair fault assignments through detailed investigation and expert testimony.

The initial fault determination isn’t set in stone. With proper legal representation, those percentages can be negotiated or fought in court to more accurately reflect what really happened. The difference between being found 30% at fault versus 51% at fault could mean the difference between substantial compensation and nothing at all.

For a deeper understanding of how modified comparative negligence works, check out this comprehensive legal explanation from Cornell Law School.

Car Accident Legal Advice Timeline & Deadlines You Must Know

When it comes to car accidents in Texas, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. I’ve seen too many folks with strong cases walk away empty-handed simply because they missed a critical deadline. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

The clock starts ticking the moment your accident happens, and in Texas, you’re working against some strict timelines.

The Critical Two-Year Statute of Limitations

Texas gives you just two years from your accident date to file a lawsuit. This isn’t a flexible guideline—it’s a hard deadline. Miss it, and the courthouse doors close permanently, no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the other driver’s fault.

Think of this two-year period as your legal lifeline. Even if you’re hoping to settle without going to court (as most people do), having the ability to file a lawsuit is your most powerful negotiation tool. Once that deadline passes, insurance companies know you’ve lost your leverage.

Important Notice Deadlines

Your own insurance policy likely contains some tight deadlines too:

Most policies require you to notify your insurer “as soon as practicable”—typically within 30 days. Your PIP or Med-Pay benefits (which help cover your initial medical bills regardless of fault) usually must be claimed within a year. And if your accident involves a government vehicle or employee, you might have as little as 90 days to file a formal notice.

Medical Documentation Timeline

Your medical records form the backbone of your case, so timing matters here too. Ideally, get an initial evaluation within 72 hours of the accident. Those first medical records create a crucial link between the crash and your injuries.

Follow up with all recommended care—missing appointments can seriously damage your claim. Insurance companies love to argue that gaps in treatment mean you weren’t really hurt.

Within the first few months, the insurance company might request an Independent Medical Examination (IME) with their doctor. While these exams aren’t always “independent,” they’re usually mandatory under your policy.

Insurance Company Response Times

Texas law does provide some timeframes that work in your favor:
– Insurance companies must acknowledge your claim within 15 days
– They must accept or reject your claim within 15 days after receiving all necessary documentation
– Once a settlement is agreed upon, payment must be made within 5 business days

Timeline Comparison Self-Representation Attorney Representation
Initial Insurance Response 15-30 days 7-15 days
Claim Investigation 30-90 days 30-60 days
Initial Settlement Offer 3-6 months 2-4 months
Final Settlement 6-12 months 4-8 months
Litigation If Necessary Extremely difficult Managed efficiently

Week-by-Week Car Accident Legal Advice Roadmap

Let’s break down what happens after your accident, so you know exactly what to expect and when:

Days 1-7 (Week 1)

The first week is critical. Seek medical treatment immediately and follow every recommendation your doctor makes. Report the accident to your insurance company, but stick to the basic facts. Obtain a copy of the police report and start keeping every receipt related to your accident.

This is also the ideal time to consult with a car accident attorney. Remember: the other driver’s insurance company may call—politely decline to give statements until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.

Weeks 2-4

As you continue treatment, start building your paper trail. Collect medical records and bills, get documentation from your employer about missed work, and consider keeping a daily pain journal. This simple notebook can become powerful evidence of how the accident affects your daily life.

Have your vehicle damage professionally assessed, and review your insurance coverage with your attorney to understand all available benefits.

Months 1-3

By now, you’ll either complete initial treatment or establish a long-term care plan for more serious injuries. Your attorney will compile all your expenses and records to prepare a demand letter to the insurance company. If the other driver disputes fault, your attorney might bring in accident reconstruction experts to strengthen your case.

Months 4-6

This is typically when settlement discussions begin in earnest. You’ll review offers with your attorney and decide whether to accept or move toward litigation. For serious injuries, you’ll continue treatment and documentation.

Months 6-24

If a lawsuit becomes necessary, your case enters the findy phase, where both sides exchange information. You might give a deposition (sworn testimony), and your attorney will prepare you thoroughly for this. Many cases settle during mediation before trial, but if yours doesn’t, your attorney will prepare for court.

This car accident legal advice roadmap gives you a general timeline, but your case may move faster or slower depending on your specific circumstances.

Missing the Two-Year Deadline: What Happens?

Missing the statute of limitations is like missing the last train home—there’s usually no way back. The consequences are severe:

Your case will almost certainly be dismissed if filed late. The insurance company loses any incentive to offer a fair settlement—or any settlement at all. You lose all leverage in negotiations, and you’re likely permanently barred from compensation.

Texas does recognize a few narrow exceptions that might “toll” (pause) the statute of limitations:

For minors, the two-year clock doesn’t start until they turn 18. If the accident left you with mental incapacity, the deadline might pause until you recover. If the at-fault driver leaves Texas, their time away might not count toward your two years. And in rare cases of fraud or concealment, where someone hid their role in causing the accident, the court might extend your deadline.

But these exceptions are rarely granted. At Gibbs & Crivelli, we’ve seen too many heartbreaking cases where people waited too long. Don’t gamble with your rights—the sooner you act, the stronger your position will be.

Maximizing Compensation: Evidence, Damages & Insurance Negotiation

Organized claim folder with evidence documentation - Car accident legal advice

When you’re nursing injuries and watching medical bills pile up after a car accident, understanding how to secure fair compensation becomes your lifeline. Think of the compensation process as assembling a puzzle – each piece matters, and missing even one could leave you with an incomplete picture.

In Texas, accident victims can recover several types of damages. Economic damages cover the tangible costs that come with a receipt: your ambulance ride, emergency room visit, ongoing medical treatments, physical therapy, lost paychecks while you recover, and even the cost to fix or replace your damaged vehicle. These are the black-and-white numbers that tell part of your story.

But what about the invisible costs? That’s where non-economic damages come in. The sleepless nights from pain, the birthday party you missed because you couldn’t get out of bed, the anxiety that now grips you whenever you drive – these real human experiences deserve compensation too. Texas law recognizes pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of life’s simple pleasures as compensable damages.

In rare cases involving truly reckless behavior – like a driver who was texting while speeding through a school zone – you might qualify for punitive damages. These aren’t meant to make you whole but rather to punish truly outrageous conduct. Texas caps these at either $200,000 or twice your economic damages plus up to $750,000 of your non-economic damages, whichever is greater.

“The insurance adjuster told me my case was only worth $5,000, but my medical bills alone were $12,000,” one of our clients recently told us. This highlights a critical reality: insurance companies use formulas designed to minimize payouts, not reflect your true losses.

They typically calculate offers using either a multiplier method (taking your economic damages and multiplying by 1.5-5 depending on injury severity) or a per diem approach (assigning a daily dollar value to your suffering). Without car accident legal advice, you’ll likely receive an offer based on the lowest possible multiplier.

Building an Iron-Clad Evidence File

Your evidence file is your case’s foundation. Think of it as telling your accident story through documentation rather than words alone.

Medical records serve as the backbone of your claim. Every doctor visit, prescription, therapy session, and diagnostic test helps authenticate your injuries. Don’t forget to include mental health treatment – emotional trauma is just as real as physical pain.

Financial documentation proves what this accident has cost you. Keep every medical bill, pharmacy receipt, and pay stub showing missed work. If you’re self-employed, gather tax returns and business records that demonstrate your typical earnings before the accident.

The accident itself needs thorough documentation. The police report provides an official account, but your own photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries add crucial details. Witness statements can fill gaps in the official narrative, while expert reconstructions might be necessary for complex crashes.

Perhaps most overlooked is documenting your personal journey. A daily pain journal tracking your symptoms, limitations, and emotional state creates a powerful timeline of your recovery struggle. Entries like “Missed daughter’s dance recital today – couldn’t sit upright for more than 15 minutes” speak volumes about how injuries affect real lives.

For serious accidents, we often bring in medical specialists, economists, and life-care planners who can project lifelong costs and impacts. When an insurance company sees this level of thorough preparation, it dramatically changes the negotiation dynamic.

Negotiating With Insurance Like a Pro

Insurance adjusters handle dozens of claims daily and have one primary goal: settling your case for as little as possible. Understanding their playbook helps level the field.

First, patience pays. The initial offer is almost always a lowball figure testing your desperation level. One client told us, “The adjuster made it sound like their first offer was the best I could hope for. Six months later, we settled for nearly four times that amount.”

Document every conversation carefully. Note who you spoke with, when, and what was discussed. This creates accountability and prevents the common “that’s not what we agreed to” scenario.

Be extremely cautious with recorded statements. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that might undermine your claim. Simple statements like “I’m feeling a bit better today” can be used to suggest your injuries aren’t serious. Having your attorney handle these communications provides essential protection.

A well-crafted demand letter changes the conversation from “what will you accept?” to “here’s what we’re entitled to.” This formal document should detail all damages with supporting evidence and specify the settlement amount you’re seeking based on documented losses, not arbitrary figures.

Don’t overlook lien resolution. Health insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare providers may have legal claims against your settlement. Failing to address these can create serious complications down the road.

Know when it’s time to bring in reinforcements. If the insurer disputes liability, makes insulting offers, or drags the process out endlessly, having an attorney dramatically shifts the power dynamic. Insurance companies take claims more seriously when they know you have legal representation ready to take the case to court if necessary.

Consider mediation before jumping into litigation. This structured negotiation with a neutral third party often resolves cases efficiently without the expense and time of a trial.

Our experience at Gibbs & Crivelli consistently shows that represented clients typically receive settlements 3-4 times higher than those handling claims alone. It’s not just about legal knowledge – it’s about having someone who speaks the insurance industry’s language and understands their tactics.

For personalized guidance on your specific situation, our Austin car accident lawyers can evaluate your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accident Legal Advice

Do I really need a lawyer if the crash wasn’t my fault?

You might be thinking, “The other driver clearly hit me—do I really need to hire an attorney?” While there’s no legal requirement to get a lawyer, the reality is that even “open-and-shut” cases rarely stay that way once insurance companies get involved.

Think of it this way: insurance adjusters handle thousands of claims every year. This is your first (and hopefully last) serious accident. Who has the advantage in that negotiation?

Car accident legal advice from a professional attorney levels the playing field in several important ways:

They know what your case is actually worth based on similar injuries and outcomes. They speak the insurance company’s language and recognize lowball tactics immediately. They understand how to properly document and value those hard-to-quantify damages like your pain and suffering. And perhaps most importantly, they have the resources to thoroughly investigate your case and the trial experience to back up demands with action if necessary.

The numbers don’t lie—studies consistently show represented clients receive settlements 3-4 times larger than those handling claims alone, even after attorney fees. That’s not a coincidence; it’s because insurance companies take represented claims more seriously.

At Gibbs & Crivelli, we’re happy to talk through your specific situation in a free consultation. Sometimes minor accidents truly can be handled without an attorney—we’ll be straight with you either way.

What if I was partly at fault but under 50 percent?

Texas has what’s called a “modified comparative negligence” system with a 51% bar rule. In plain English, this means if you’re 50% or less responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages—they’ll just be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Let’s make this concrete: if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 30% responsible for the crash, you’d receive $70,000. However, if you’re found 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover anything at all.

Here’s where things get tricky. That percentage isn’t set in stone—it’s negotiable, and insurance companies have a strong financial incentive to push your fault percentage as high as possible. We’ve seen cases where drivers were initially assigned 60% fault by an insurance adjuster, but our investigation proved they were actually only 20% responsible—a difference that allowed them to recover substantial compensation.

This is precisely why having an experienced attorney is especially crucial in shared-fault scenarios. Our team at Gibbs & Crivelli knows how to challenge unfair fault determinations through thorough investigation, expert testimony, and persistent negotiation.

How much does hiring a car accident attorney cost upfront?

Here’s the simple answer: nothing.

At Gibbs & Crivelli, we work on what’s called a contingency fee basis. This means:

You pay zero upfront costs or hourly fees. We advance all case expenses—from investigation costs to filing fees to expert witness payments. We only get paid if we win your case, and our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery (typically 33-40% depending on case complexity).

The beauty of this arrangement is that it aligns our interests perfectly with yours—we only succeed when you do. It also makes quality legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

During your free consultation, we’ll explain our fee structure clearly and answer any questions about costs. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a penny—that’s our promise.

What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?

Unfortunately, Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation—about 20% of motorists on our roads have no insurance at all. When you’re hit by one of these drivers (or someone with minimal coverage), you’re not automatically out of luck.

Your first line of defense is your own insurance policy. If you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it steps in to pay for damages when the at-fault driver can’t. Similarly, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) can cover medical expenses and some lost wages regardless of who caused the crash.

Your health insurance can also cover medical treatments, though they may place a lien on any settlement you eventually receive.

As a last resort, you can sue the at-fault driver personally, though collecting a judgment can be challenging if they have limited assets.

Navigating these complex insurance issues is another area where having an attorney proves invaluable. We can identify all possible sources of recovery and handle the often-contentious process of making UM/UIM claims—which, ironically, sometimes involve fighting with your own insurance company.

How long will my car accident case take to resolve?

I wish I could give you a simple answer, but the truth is that case timelines vary dramatically based on several factors:

The severity of your injuries makes a huge difference—we can’t settle until we understand your full medical situation and long-term prognosis. Disputed liability cases take longer than clear-fault situations. Different insurance companies have different approaches to settlement. Local court backlogs affect scheduling if we need to file a lawsuit. And cases that settle out of court generally resolve much faster than those going to trial.

As a rough guideline, straightforward cases with minor injuries might wrap up in 3-6 months. More complex situations involving serious injuries or disputed fault typically take 1-2 years, especially if a trial becomes necessary.

At Gibbs & Crivelli, we understand waiting is difficult when medical bills are piling up. We strive to resolve cases efficiently while still ensuring you receive full compensation—not just quick compensation. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed about your case status and work diligently to avoid unnecessary delays.

The right car accident legal advice early in your case often leads to faster resolutions and better outcomes. That’s why we offer free consultations to help you understand your options from day one.

Conclusion

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can feel like trying to find your way through a maze blindfolded. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to stumble through it alone. The right car accident legal advice can illuminate your path forward, helping you secure the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.

At Gibbs & Crivelli, we’ve seen how accidents turn lives upside down. Beyond the physical pain, there’s the emotional stress, mounting medical bills, missed work, and those persistent calls from insurance adjusters who seem more interested in closing your case than making you whole.

Think of this guide as your roadmap through the confusing post-accident landscape. Let’s recap what we’ve learned:

Act quickly after your accident—those first hours and days matter tremendously. The evidence you gather, the statements you make (or wisely don’t make), and the medical care you seek all build the foundation of your case.

Texas’s modified comparative negligence rules mean that even if you were partly responsible—up to 50%—you can still recover damages. But remember, insurance companies will try their hardest to push you over that 51% threshold where recovery becomes impossible.

Time isn’t on your side when it comes to legal deadlines. That two-year statute of limitations might seem distant when you’re dealing with immediate concerns, but it approaches faster than you might think. Missing it means permanently losing your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case.

Document everything. Your medical treatments, your pain levels, your missed work days, your conversations with insurance adjusters—all of it matters. The more thoroughly you document your damages, the stronger your position when negotiating.

Approach insurance companies with healthy skepticism. Their initial offers rarely reflect the true value of your claim. They’re counting on your lack of experience and possible financial pressure to accept less than you deserve.

Consider professional legal help, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries or if the other party is disputing fault. Studies consistently show that represented claimants receive significantly higher settlements—even after attorney fees are paid.

The choices you make in the aftermath of a crash can have long-lasting implications for your recovery journey. By following the guidance we’ve shared, you’re better positioned to steer the complexities of your case while keeping your focus where it belongs—on healing and moving forward.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Texas, we invite you to reach out to Gibbs & Crivelli for a free, no-pressure consultation. Our team serves clients throughout the state, including Austin, Cedar Park, Harker Heights, Killeen, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos, Temple, and Georgetown.

Get your free case review today and find how we can help you stand up to insurance companies and fight for the full compensation you deserve. We only get paid if you do—so our success is tied directly to yours.

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