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Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, but the choices you make in the hours, days, and weeks that follow can have a lasting impact on your health, your financial future, and even your legal rights. Unfortunately, many accident victims, whether they’ve been injured in a car crash, truck collision, or slip-and-fall, unknowingly make mistakes that weaken their personal injury claims.
At Scott Callahan & Associates, we’ve seen how insurance companies and corporations use these mistakes against injured people to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. The good news? By knowing what not to do, you can protect yourself, preserve your rights, and put yourself in the strongest position to recover the compensation you deserve.
Below, we outline five common mistakes to avoid after an accident and why each one matters.
After an accident, it’s common for adrenaline and shock to mask pain. You might think you’re “fine” and try to tough it out. But failing to seek prompt medical care is one of the most damaging mistakes you can make.
Why this is a problem:
What to do instead:
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to want to apologize—even if you weren’t at fault. Unfortunately, simple phrases like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see them” can later be twisted into admissions of guilt.
Why this is a problem:
What to do instead:
Evidence fades quickly. Skid marks get washed away, damaged vehicles are repaired, and witnesses’ memories grow fuzzy. If you don’t take steps to document the accident scene, you may lose critical proof of what happened.
Why this is a problem:
What to do instead:
If you weren’t able to document the scene because of your injuries, don’t panic. An experienced personal injury lawyer can often gather evidence later, such as surveillance footage or accident reconstruction reports.
Insurance companies know you’re stressed, overwhelmed, and facing medical bills. That’s why they often dangle a quick settlement in front of accident victims. At first glance, it might seem like fast relief. But accepting too soon can cost you thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars.
Why this is a problem:
What to do instead:
After an accident, many people think they can handle the process themselves. They might not want to “cause trouble,” or they worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer. Unfortunately, this is exactly what insurance companies hope you’ll do.
Why this is a problem:
What to do instead:
Recovering from an accident is hard enough without the added stress of dealing with insurance companies and legal pitfalls. By avoiding these five mistakes—delaying medical care, admitting fault, failing to document the scene, accepting quick settlements, and trying to handle everything alone—you give yourself the best chance at a strong recovery, both physically and financially.
At Scott Callahan & Associates, we believe no one should have to fight powerful insurance companies or corporations alone. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process, keep you informed, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us protect your rights while you focus on healing.
A car accident can change your life in an instant. Beyond the pain of injuries and the stress of repairing your vehicle, one of the biggest concerns most people face is how to pay for medical bills. Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and follow-up care can add up quickly, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars or more.
If you were injured in a car accident in Texas, you may be wondering: Who is responsible for paying these medical expenses? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including insurance coverage, fault, and the type of claim you pursue.
At Scott Callahan & Associates, we help accident victims every day navigate this complicated process. In this post, we’ll explain how medical bills are handled after a car accident in Texas and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
The first thing to understand is that Texas follows an at-fault insurance system. This means the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the damages—including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage—incurred by the other party.
In theory, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance should cover your medical expenses. In practice, however, things are rarely so simple. Insurance companies often delay, dispute, or deny claims. And while your case is pending, the hospital and doctors still expect payment.
Because medical care can’t wait, most accident victims must rely on a combination of resources before a final settlement is reached. Here are the most common ways medical bills are handled:
In Texas, auto insurers are required to offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as part of every policy. Unless you rejected it in writing, you likely have this coverage.
While $2,500 doesn’t cover much in today’s world of medical costs, it can provide immediate relief for emergency room visits or initial treatment.
Some drivers carry MedPay coverage, which works similarly to PIP but usually only covers medical bills (not lost wages). Like PIP, MedPay pays out regardless of fault.
However, MedPay is optional, and not all drivers have it. It’s also typically available in lower amounts than PIP.
Your health insurance (through your employer, a private plan, or a government program like Medicare/Medicaid) can often be used to pay for accident-related medical care.
Ultimately, if another driver caused your accident, their liability insurance should pay for your medical bills as part of your settlement.
Texas law requires drivers to carry at least:
However, these minimum limits often fall far short of covering serious injuries. And even if liability is clear, the insurer won’t pay until the case is resolved—which can take months or even years.
What happens if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance—or doesn’t have enough to cover your bills?
That’s where UM/UIM coverage comes in. Like PIP, Texas insurers must offer this coverage, and you must reject it in writing if you don’t want it. UM/UIM coverage steps in to pay for your damages when the other driver can’t.
This coverage can be a lifesaver in hit-and-run cases or when facing drivers who carry only the state’s minimum insurance.
For accident victims without health insurance, some attorneys—including Scott Callahan & Associates—can arrange for medical treatment through a Letter of Protection (LOP).
Here’s how it works:
Even if insurance will ultimately cover your expenses, you may still receive medical bills and collection notices in the meantime. Hospitals and providers don’t wait for lawsuits to resolve.
That’s why it’s important to:
Many accident victims are surprised to learn that if their health insurance pays for treatment, the insurer may later demand reimbursement from their settlement. This process is called subrogation.
For example:
An experienced personal injury lawyer can often negotiate with health insurers to reduce the lien, allowing you to keep more of your settlement.
Insurance companies may appear sympathetic at first, but their goal is to minimize payouts. Common tactics include:
Accepting a fast payout may cover initial bills but leave you responsible for future surgeries, therapy, or long-term complications.
Navigating medical bills after an accident is complicated. A personal injury lawyer helps by:
At Scott Callahan & Associates, we understand the stress medical bills cause. That’s why we make it our mission to protect your rights, keep you informed, and maximize your recovery.
After a car accident in Texas, medical bills are often the most pressing concern. While the at-fault driver’s insurance should ultimately pay, coverage from PIP, MedPay, health insurance, or UM/UIM may help in the meantime. For those without coverage, Letters of Protection can provide access to necessary care.
The process is complicated, but you don’t have to face it alone. An experienced Katy personal injury lawyer can guide you through each step, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you’re not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call Scott Callahan & Associates today for a free consultation. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.
If an at-fault driver leaves the scene of a car accident, commonly called a hit-and-run, it can be a very stressful and confusing situation. Knowing what steps to take immediately after the crash can help protect your legal rights and improve your chances of obtaining compensation. This blog explains what you should do if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, why these steps matter, and what legal consequences the fleeing driver may face.
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without providing their personal identification, insurance information, or rendering assistance as required by law. This can happen whether the crash involved injuries, death, or just property damage. Leaving the scene is illegal in every state and may result in severe criminal charges for the at-fault driver.
Hit-and-run drivers face criminal penalties that vary depending on the severity of the accident:
| Accident Severity | Typical Charge | Possible Penalties (Texas Example) |
| Property damage only (minor damage <$200) | Class C misdemeanor | Fines up to $500 |
| Property damage over $200 | Class B misdemeanor | Fines up to $2,000, jail up to 6 months |
| Injury to another person | Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years in state prison, fines up to $10,000 |
| Serious bodily injury | Second-degree felony | Up to 20 years imprisonment, fines up to $10,000 |
| Death caused by hit-and-run | Second-degree or first-degree felony | Possible life imprisonment, heavy fines |
Beyond criminal charges, a hit-and-run driver may also face civil liability, including compensatory damages for your injuries, lost wages, mental anguish, and possibly punitive damages to punish the wrongdoing.
Recovering from a hit-and-run can be complicated because the offending driver has fled. A skilled personal injury attorney can:
An attorney’s expertise can be your strongest ally in obtaining justice and the financial recovery you deserve.
When an at-fault driver leaves the scene, each step you take afterward is vital to protecting your rights and securing fair compensation. Immediate reporting to police, thorough documentation, early medical attention, and timely insurance notification are critical. Understanding the serious legal consequences hit-and-run drivers face helps underscore the importance of these actions.
If you or a loved one has been in a hit-and-run accident, consulting a personal injury attorney experienced in these cases can clarify your options and help you navigate this challenging situation. Remember, you don’t have to face the aftermath of a hit-and-run alone.
Board-certified attorney Scott Callahan has over 25 years of experience in car and truck wrecks, equipped to guide you through the process, protect your rights, and work to maximize your recovery. Give the firm a call today, 24/7, at 713-888-9000
