Veteran-owned Houston firm shares simple steps to protect your health and your claim after a crash
HOUSTON, TX, October 02, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Houston law firm Gonzalez & Rothchild LLP (GoRo Law) is sharing a short list of steps drivers can take in the minutes and days after a car accident to protect their health and any future injury claim.
The advice comes as crashes continue to take a heavy toll on Texas roads. The Texas Department of Transportation recorded 3,769 traffic deaths statewide in 2025, down from 4,159 in 2024.
"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:
- Call 911 and get a police report. The report creates an official record of what happened and who was involved.
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don't show up for hours or even days.
- Take photos of the scene. Capture the vehicles, the damage, the road and any visible injuries.
- Collect information from everyone involved. That includes names, phone numbers and insurance details.
- Don't admit fault or apologize. Even a polite "I'm sorry" can be used against you later.
- Talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement. Insurance companies often ask for one early, before you know the full extent of your injuries.
"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 also matters. In Texas, most personal injury claims, including those from car accidents, must be filed within two years of the crash. Gonzalez said waiting too long can hurt a case well before that deadline, since evidence disappears and witnesses forget details.
Fault is another area where drivers get tripped up. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means an injured person can still 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."
Rothchild and Gonzalez both served as military Judge Advocates before moving into private practice as litigators at a law firm and senior in-house legal roles. Rothchild served over 10 years in the Marine Corps and reached 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 reached the rank of lieutenant commander after 10 years in the Coast Guard. They say that background shapes how they prepare every case.
People with questions after a crash can call the firm at 346-483-2688 or book a free consultation at goro.law.
About GoRo Law
GoRo Law is a 100% veteran-owned Houston law firm founded by two former military judge advocates who went on to lead law firm litigation teams and in-house legal teams. The firm handles personal injury cases, including car, truck and motorcycle accidents, along with commercial litigation and other business matters. It is certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business. The firm's office is at 14800 Westheimer Road, Suite H, in Houston. Learn more at goro.law.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by https://www.24-7pressrelease.com
