When a negligent driver causes a car crash, most people focus on what’s right in front of them: Are you hurt? Is everyone safe? Did you exchange information? Did someone call the police? Did they write an accident report?
These are all important first actions at the accident scene. But a truth many car accident victims don’t often hear: what you do in the days and weeks after a car crash may matter even more.
Your physical recovery, financial future, and legal rights hinge on what happens next. And yet, this is exactly when things start to spiral for a lot of injured people. Medical bills come in fast. The pain gets worse before it gets better. Work becomes more difficult or impossible. Insurance adjusters start calling with questions and questionable settlement offers.
If you’ve been in a serious car crash in San Antonio and are unsure what to do now, these are the real-life, real-world steps to take after a San Antonio car crash that can help protect your future.
Call us at (210) 941-1306 for a free consultation or contact us below. No cost to you unless we win.
Key Takeaways
- Settlement amounts in Texas personal injury cases are shaped by many individual factors, not fixed formulas.
- More serious or long-term injuries tend to result in higher compensation because of the lasting impact on a person’s life.
- Emotional and psychological harm, like pain and suffering, are real parts of a claim and can influence case value.
- Insurance limits often define the upper boundary of what’s recoverable, regardless of how severe the injury is.
- Cases involving wrongful death or catastrophic injuries may take longer to resolve, but often require a deeper investigation and stronger supporting evidence.
- Texas law reduces or bars compensation if the injured person is found partially at fault, depending on their share of fault.
- Legal guidance can help injured people make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes during the claims process.
Step 1: Put Your Health First—Follow Every Medical Recommendation
The first step isn’t legal; it’s personal. Prioritize your health from the start, and everything else will become easier to manage.
Hidden injuries can show up days later
Even if you were released from the ER or felt okay at first, it doesn’t mean you're in the clear. Many crash-related injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, and herniated discs, show delayed symptoms. Waiting to treat them can make recovery harder and insurance claims more complicated.
Don’t miss follow-ups, therapy, or specialist visits
Consistent medical care is not just important for healing; it documents your injuries and builds the record your case relies on. Insurance companies view gaps in treatment or skipped appointments as opportunities to argue your injuries aren’t severe or connected to the crash.
Cost should never stop you from getting care
Worried about paying for costly medical bills? You’re not alone. A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that 88% of people who sustained a serious injury experienced “financial toxicity.” This condition, which is marked by healthcare expenses, lost wages, and other financial hardship, led to worse psychological and physical outcomes.
Other studies have found that healthcare costs are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S.
No person should ever see their future fall apart because of an accident, especially one caused by a negligent driver.
A qualified San Antonio personal injury lawyer can help arrange treatment with providers who agree to wait for payment until after your case settles. You should never have to sacrifice your health out of fear of cost.
Step 2: Hire a San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer Who Handles Serious Injuries and Wrongful Death Cases
After a crash, you’re likely dealing with pain, medical appointments, missed work, and a constant stream of phone calls. It can feel like too much, especially if the insurance company is already asking questions, seeking statements, or pushing settlement offers. This is where hiring a lawyer becomes one of the most important decisions you can make.
A lawyer handles the legal work so you can focus on recovery
From day one, a car accident attorney helps by taking over the tasks that most injured people aren’t equipped or expected to manage. That includes gathering medical records, obtaining the crash report, speaking with witnesses, coordinating care with providers, and negotiating directly with the insurance company. You don’t have to track every document or figure out what to say. Your lawyer does that for you.
Preserves time-sensitive evidence
Some of the most important evidence—like dashcam video, business surveillance footage, and digital driving data—is often erased within days. Vehicles are repaired, phone records get overwritten, and witnesses become harder to reach. A lawyer knows what to preserve and how to do it fast before it's gone.
Handles the insurance companies
After a crash, the insurance company’s priority isn’t your well-being; it’s protecting their company's profits. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that sound routine but are designed to shift blame or minimize your injuries. They may pressure you to give a recorded statement or accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your condition.
Once you hire a lawyer, the calls stop. Your attorney handles all communication, so you don’t have to deal with misleading questions or unfair pressure.
Keeps your case on track and on time
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is typically two years from the date of the accident. But some insurance policies have their own deadlines, sometimes as short as 30 or 60 days, to report claims or submit documentation. Your lawyer will track every deadline and filing requirement to protect your case from day one.
Step 3: Document Everything—Even the Little Things
A strong legal claim isn’t built only on medical records and police reports. It’s also built on the day-to-day impact the crash has on your life.
Keep a pain and activity journal
How your injuries affect you and limit what you can do matters tremendously. Keeping a written or recorded journal can make a real difference in your case. Record how your injuries impact your sleep, mobility, ability to work, relationships, and routine.
Go beyond describing pain levels. Note whether you're having trouble driving, lifting your kids, concentrating at work, or even completing basic tasks like getting dressed or preparing meals.
These personal observations help paint a fuller picture of what you’re dealing with—something medical records alone may not capture. Your lawyer can use this evidence to support a claim for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. You don’t need to make it perfect. Just make it honest and consistent.
Track all out-of-pocket expenses
From prescriptions and medical devices to Uber rides and parking at doctors’ offices, all of it adds up. Save receipts and make notes of every crash-related cost, no matter how small. These expenses can be added to your damages.
Missed work or lost income? Log everything
If you miss time from your job or can’t return to the same duties, track your hours lost and get documentation from your employer. If you're self-employed or gig-based, this can be trickier, but not impossible. Your attorney can help you calculate income loss.
Step 4: Be Careful About What You Say—and Post
The wrong comment or photo, even one you think is harmless, can damage your case. Words matter. So do social media posts.
Don’t talk about the crash with anyone but your lawyer or doctor
Friends and family mean well, but what you say can be repeated. Avoid discussing fault, injuries, or how you're feeling in casual conversation. If someone from an insurance company contacts you, refer them to your attorney and do not answer questions directly.
Avoid social media updates of any kind
Photos of a family event, posts about your recovery, or even check-ins at public places can be taken out of context. Insurance companies and defense lawyers monitor social media looking for anything that contradicts your claim. Don’t give them the opportunity.
Step 5: Protect Your Case Without Adding Stress
Preparing and pursuing a personal injury case involves coordinating medical records, documenting damages, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for the possibility of trial. A qualified legal team handles those tasks methodically and keeps you informed, so you can focus on your recovery without having to manage the process alone.
Texas uses modified comparative fault—here’s what that means
Texas uses a system called modified comparative fault. If you're partially responsible for an accident, your compensation can be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. For example, if you’re found to be 30% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 30%.
However, if you’re 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover anything at all. This rule makes it important to hire a lawyer who will clearly document what happened, build a strong case, and challenge any inaccurate claims about your role in the accident.
Your focus should be recovery—your lawyer handles the rest
You shouldn’t have to chase down records, argue with insurance adjusters, or manage legal deadlines while trying to recover. A good attorney handles all of it—requesting crash reports, collecting evidence, coordinating with experts, and dealing directly with the insurance company. Their role is to take care of the process so you can focus fully on healing.
A law firm should treat you like a client, not a case number
You’ve entrusted your legal team with one of the most important matters in your life, and the way they treat you should reflect that. They should take time to understand how the crash affected your life, your goals, and your family. At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, that means direct communication with attorneys. It also means preparing for trial if that’s what it takes to get results.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do After a San Antonio Car Crash
What if I didn’t get a police report at the scene?
It’s still possible to file a claim without one, but your lawyer may need to help gather other forms of evidence, such as 911 call records, dash cam footage, or eyewitness statements. A police report helps, but it’s not the only way to support your case.
Can I still file a claim if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
Yes. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy, you may be able to seek compensation that way. Your lawyer can review your policy and identify all available sources of recovery.
Should I talk to the insurance company if they keep calling?
No. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney. Even simple statements can be taken out of context or used to shift fault onto you. Once you have a lawyer, they should handle all communication with insurers.
How do I know if I have a valid case?
If you were injured and someone else may be at fault, you likely have grounds to speak with a lawyer. Most firms offer free consultations, so there’s no risk in asking questions. An attorney will evaluate the facts and explain your options.
What if I was a passenger in the car?
As a passenger, you may be entitled to file a claim against one or both drivers depending on who was at fault. It’s important to speak with a lawyer early so your rights are preserved, and to avoid being blamed for things outside your control.
Injured in a San Antonio Car Accident? Call Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock
After a serious car crash, you need more than quick answers or a fast payout. You need a legal team with the experience, resources, and commitment to take your case seriously from day one. Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock is a San Antonio-based personal injury firm that focuses on cases involving severe injuries and high stakes. Our mission is simple: we put our clients first and prepare every case for trial, whether it settles or not.We serve clients throughout San Antonio and across Texas, and we’ve recovered millions for people injured in devastating crashes. If you’re ready to have a real conversation about your case, call (210) 941-1306 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call us at (210) 941-1306 for a free consultation or contact us below. No cost to you unless we win.