As Texas roads continue to claim thousands of lives each year, a Houston law firm is offering guidance to drivers on what to do in the critical minutes and days following a car accident. Gonzalez & Rothchild LLP (GoRo Law) released a list of steps aimed at protecting both health and potential injury claims, citing the heavy toll crashes take on Texas roads. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 3,769 traffic deaths were recorded statewide in 2025, a decrease from 4,159 in 2024, but still a significant number.
“Most people have never been in a serious wreck, so they don’t know what to do when it happens,” said Ben Rothchild, a partner at the firm and a former Marine Corps Judge Advocate. “A few simple steps at the scene can make a big difference later, especially once an insurance company gets involved.”
The firm recommends that anyone involved in a crash take several immediate actions: call 911 and obtain a police report to create an official record; seek medical care right away, even if no symptoms are apparent, as some injuries manifest hours or days later; take photos of the scene, including vehicles, damage, road conditions, and visible injuries; collect information from all parties, such as names, phone numbers, and insurance details; avoid admitting fault or apologizing, as even a polite apology can be used against you; and consult a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company.
“Insurance adjusters are trained to keep payouts low. That’s their job,” said Edgar Gonzalez, a partner at the firm and a former Coast Guard Judge Advocate. “We want people to know their rights before they sign anything or say anything on the record.”
Timing is also critical. In Texas, most personal injury claims, including those stemming from car accidents, must be filed within two years of the crash. Gonzalez noted that waiting too long can harm a case well before that deadline, as evidence disappears and witnesses forget details. Fault is another complex area: Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, allowing an injured person to recover damages as long as they were less than 51% responsible for the crash. Any award is reduced by their share of the blame.
“We see insurers push that fault number up all the time,” Rothchild said. “If they can say you were half to blame, they can cut what they owe you in half, or pay nothing at all.”
Both Rothchild and Gonzalez served as military Judge Advocates before transitioning to private practice. Rothchild spent over 10 years in the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of major. Gonzalez led litigation teams in Houston at an intellectual property law firm for over four years, later served as general counsel and chief compliance officer for a pharmaceutical company, and retired as a lieutenant commander after 10 years in the Coast Guard. They say this background shapes how they prepare every case.
For those with questions after a crash, GoRo Law offers free consultations and can be reached at 346-483-2688. The firm is a 100% veteran-owned Houston law firm founded by two former military judge advocates, handling personal injury cases such as car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as commercial litigation and other business matters. It is certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business and is located at 14800 Westheimer Road, Suite H, in Houston.
