If you have been in a car accident in Texas, you are likely dealing with a flood of questions and emotions right now. You may be hurt, worried about your vehicle, and uncertain about what steps to take next. The moments and days following an accident are critical for protecting your health, your rights, and your ability to seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Understanding what to do after a car accident can make a real difference in how your situation unfolds, and this guide is here to help you through it.
Texas roads see an alarming number of collisions every year. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, nearly 560,000 motor vehicle accidents occur statewide annually, resulting in more than 18,000 serious injuries and over 4,000 fatalities.[1] Those numbers represent real people whose lives changed in an instant, and if you are reading this, you may now be one of them. This guide walks you through what to do after a car accident in Texas, from the immediate aftermath at the scene to the longer process of pursuing fair compensation for your injuries.
Your first priority after an accident should be checking yourself and others for injuries. If you are able to move safely, getting away from traffic and potential hazards such as leaking fuel can help prevent further injuries while you wait for emergency responders to arrive. If you or anyone else is seriously injured, try not to move unless there is an immediate danger like fire or oncoming traffic, as movement could potentially worsen certain injuries. Call 911 right away if anyone appears to be hurt, as some injuries, like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury, may not show obvious symptoms right away.
Once you have assessed immediate safety concerns, try to move vehicles out of the flow of traffic if it is safe to do so and if the vehicles can be driven. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550 allows you to move vehicles to prevent blocking traffic as long as you remain at the scene and exchange information with other parties.[2]If the vehicles cannot be moved or if anyone is injured, leave everything as it is and wait for emergency responders to arrive.
Calling 911 is one of the most important steps when deciding what to do after a car accident, and it serves multiple purposes beyond just getting help with injuries. When police officers respond to the scene, they create an official accident report that documents what happened, who was involved, and the conditions at the time of the collision. This police report can be valuable evidence later when dealing with insurance companies or pursuing a legal claim.
You should call 911 when there are any injuries, when there is major property damage, when vehicles cannot be moved from the roadway, or when a driver appears to be intoxicated. Even for accidents that seem minor at first, having an official police report can protect you if injuries or damage turn out to be more serious than they initially appeared. Some injuries do not show symptoms until hours or days after an accident, and having documentation from the scene can help connect those injuries to the collision.
Drivers involved in an accident are required to exchange certain information at the scene under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550.[2] You should collect names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information from all drivers involved. If there are passengers in any of the vehicles, getting their contact information can also be helpful in case they witnessed what happened.
Documenting the scene thoroughly can significantly improve your ability to prove what happened later. If you are able to do so safely, take photographs or video of all vehicles involved from multiple angles, showing the damage to each vehicle. Photograph the overall scene, including traffic signs, road conditions, weather conditions, and any skid marks or debris on the roadway. If there are witnesses who saw what happened, try to get their names and contact information before they leave the scene. Write down as many details as you can remember about what happened, including the time, location, direction of travel, and the sequence of events leading up to the collision. Memories fade quickly, and having detailed notes from shortly after the accident can help you recall important details later.
If you have been injured and need guidance on what to do after a car accident in Texas, The Tough, Smart Lawyer® is ready to help. Contact Jim Adler & Associates for a free case evaluation today.*
After an accident, many people instinctively apologize or say things like “I did not see you” out of politeness or shock. While these reactions are understandable, statements like these can be used against you later to argue that you were at fault for the accident. Stay calm and polite when interacting with other drivers, but avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as admitting responsibility. Exchange the required information without discussing who was to blame, and let investigators and insurance adjusters make fault determinations based on the evidence.
This does not mean you should be rude or refuse to cooperate with the police. Answer questions from responding officers honestly and factually, but stick to describing what happened without speculating about fault or offering opinions about what caused the accident. If you are unsure about something, it is perfectly acceptable to say you do not know or that you need time to process what happened.
The evidence available at an accident scene starts disappearing almost right away. Skid marks fade, debris gets cleaned up, and witnesses leave the area. Taking steps to secure evidence early can significantly improve your ability to prove what happened and who was responsible. Beyond the photos and witness information discussed above, you should keep copies of everything related to your accident, including the police report, medical records, repair estimates, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
Starting a diary or journal after the accident can also help document things that may be difficult to prove later. Record your daily symptoms, pain levels, activities you cannot do because of your injuries, sleep difficulties, emotional struggles, and how the accident has affected your daily life. This kind of detailed documentation can help demonstrate the true impact of your injuries when seeking compensation for pain and suffering.
After an accident, you will likely hear from insurance companies wanting to discuss what happened. Your own insurance company has a legitimate reason to know about the accident, and you should notify them promptly as required by most policies. However, you should be very careful when speaking with the other driver’s insurance company. Their goal is to protect their client and pay as little as possible, and anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that might get you to say something that hurts your case. They may ask how you are feeling, and if you say you are fine because you are just being polite, they may later argue that you were not really injured. They may ask for a recorded statement, which can then be picked apart for inconsistencies or statements taken out of context. Many attorneys recommend that you speak with a lawyer before giving any statements to the other driver’s insurance company, so you understand your rights and do not accidentally harm your case.
Understanding what to do after a car accident in Texas includes protecting yourself from insurance company tactics designed to minimize your claim. If you are feeling pressured by an insurance adjuster, The Texas Hammer® can help. Call Jim Adler & Associates for a free consultation to discuss your options.*
Beyond the steps you take at the scene, there are ongoing requirements and processes for reporting the accident and dealing with insurance companies. Understanding what to do after a car accident includes knowing these requirements so you do not miss important deadlines or take actions that could hurt your claim.
Most auto insurance policies require you to report accidents promptly, regardless of who was at fault. Failing to report an accident within the required timeframe could give your insurance company grounds to deny coverage. When you report the accident, provide honest and accurate information about what happened, but avoid speculating about fault or providing more detail than necessary. Stick to the facts of what occurred without offering opinions or interpretations.
If you have collision coverage, your own insurance company may pay to repair or replace your vehicle regardless of who was at fault, and then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer. If the other driver was at fault, you may also be able to file a claim directly with their insurance company. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific situation, and an attorney can help you understand which option makes the most sense for your circumstances.
The police report created by responding officers is an important document for insurance claims and any legal proceedings. In Texas, you can obtain a copy of your crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded to the scene or through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System.[5] There is typically a small fee to obtain a copy of the report. The report contains the officer’s observations about the scene, statements from drivers and witnesses, a diagram of the accident, and often the officer’s opinion about contributing factors or violations.
Review your police report carefully when you receive it. If you believe the report contains errors or does not accurately reflect what happened, you may be able to request a correction or supplement. An attorney can help you understand your options if you disagree with information in the police report, especially if the report assigns fault in a way you believe is inaccurate.
Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many drivers on the road do not have coverage or do not have enough coverage to pay for serious injuries. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 14 percent of Texas drivers are uninsured.[6] If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may still have options for recovering compensation. Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can help pay for your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver cannot.
If the other driver fled the scene without stopping, you should report the hit-and-run to the police right away. Your uninsured motorist coverage may help cover your losses in this situation as well. Avoid accepting cash payments or informal settlements from drivers who do not want to involve insurance companies, as these arrangements often leave injured people without the compensation they need for injuries that turn out to be more serious than initially thought.
Figuring out what to do after a car accident in Texas can feel overwhelming when you are also dealing with insurance companies. The Voice of The Victims™ has helped injured Texans navigate these challenges for more than 50 years. Call Jim Adler & Associates today for a free case review.*
Your health is the most important thing after an accident, and getting proper medical care should be a top priority. Beyond the obvious benefit of addressing your injuries, seeking medical attention promptly also provides documentation linking your injuries to the accident, which is essential for any insurance claim or legal case. Understanding what to do after a car accident means recognizing that your medical decisions in the first days and weeks can significantly affect both your recovery and your ability to seek fair compensation.
Even if you feel fine after an accident, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. The adrenaline and shock of an accident can mask pain and other symptoms, and some injuries do not show signs until hours or days later. Traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, and spinal injuries can all have delayed symptoms. A medical evaluation creates a record showing that you sought treatment promptly after the accident, which helps establish that your injuries are connected to the collision.
If you go to the emergency room after the accident, follow up with your primary care doctor or a specialist within a few days. Let your doctors know about all your symptoms, even ones that seem minor or unrelated. Something that feels like a simple headache could be a sign of a concussion or other brain injury. Being thorough in describing your symptoms helps ensure you receive proper treatment and provides complete documentation of your condition.
Once you begin treatment, follow your doctor’s recommendations and attend all scheduled appointments. Gaps in treatment can hurt your case because insurance companies often argue that if you were really injured, you would have continued seeking care. If you miss appointments or stop treatment early, insurers may claim your injuries were not as serious as you say or that something other than the accident caused your ongoing symptoms.
Keep detailed records of all medical treatment you receive, including doctor visits, hospital stays, physical therapy sessions, medications, medical equipment, and any other expenses related to your injuries. Save all bills and receipts, even for over-the-counter medications and travel costs to medical appointments. These records help document the full financial impact of your injuries and ensure nothing gets overlooked when calculating your damages.
Many accident victims worry about how they will pay for medical treatment, especially if they do not have health insurance or their injuries prevent them from working. You should not delay necessary medical care because of financial concerns. There are several options that may help you get treatment now and worry about payment later.
If you have health insurance, use it for accident-related treatment. Some health plans have subrogation rights, meaning they may seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive later, but they can still help you get the care you need now. If you do not have health insurance or have high deductibles, a Letter of Protection may allow you to receive treatment without paying up front. A Letter of Protection is an agreement where your attorney promises to pay medical providers from any settlement or verdict in your case, allowing you to get care while your case is pending. Jim Adler & Associates works with a network of medical providers across Texas who accept Letters of Protection so our clients can get the treatment they need without financial barriers.
If you are worried about affording medical care after an accident, The Texas Hammer® can help connect you with doctors who will treat you now and wait for payment until your case is resolved. Call us today for a free consultation to learn more about your options.*
Not every car accident requires an attorney, but many situations benefit significantly from legal guidance. Understanding when and why to seek legal help is an important part of knowing what to do after a car accident, and getting the right advice can protect your rights and help ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
When police respond to an accident, cooperate fully and answer their questions honestly. However, you also have rights that you should understand. You are not required to speculate about fault or provide opinions about what caused the accident. If officers ask questions that go beyond the basic facts of what happened, you can politely decline to answer until you have spoken with an attorney. You have the right to refuse a vehicle search unless officers have a warrant or probable cause, though this is rarely an issue in routine accident investigations.
If you believe the police report contains errors or unfairly assigns fault to you, an attorney can help you understand your options. Police reports are not final determinations of fault, and additional evidence collected during an investigation may show a different picture than what the officer recorded at the scene. Witness statements, surveillance footage, vehicle damage analysis, and accident reconstruction experts can all provide evidence that challenges an inaccurate police report.
As mentioned earlier, Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001 that reduces your compensation based on your percentage of fault and bars recovery entirely if you are more than 50 percent responsible.[3] Insurance companies use this rule aggressively, seeking any evidence they can to shift blame onto injured people. Common tactics include blaming victims for speeding even slightly, not reacting quickly enough, or failing to take evasive action.
An experienced attorney can investigate your accident thoroughly and collect evidence that accurately establishes what happened and who was at fault. When insurance companies try to inflate your percentage of fault, an attorney can push back with evidence and legal arguments that protect your right to fair compensation. The difference between being found 20 percent at fault versus 40 percent at fault can mean tens of thousands of dollars in a serious injury case.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, investigators, and lawyers working to protect their interests and minimize what they pay on claims. When you are dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income from missing work, taking on an insurance company alone can feel overwhelming. An attorney can level the playing field by handling communications with insurers, collecting evidence, calculating the full value of your damages, and fighting for fair compensation.
You may benefit from speaking with an attorney if you suffered serious injuries that require ongoing medical treatment, if the insurance company is disputing fault or offering a settlement that seems too low, if multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident, or if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene. Many Texas personal injury attorneys, including Jim Adler & Associates, offer free consultations to help you understand your options without any financial commitment.* We also handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.*
If you are unsure whether you need legal help after your accident, The Tough, Smart Lawyer® is here to answer your questions. Contact Jim Adler & Associates today to discuss what to do after a car accident in Texas and learn how we can fight for the compensation you deserve.
If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses. Understanding what types of damages you can seek is an important part of knowing what to do after a car accident, and this knowledge helps ensure you do not settle for less than your injuries deserve.
Economic damages cover financial losses that you can calculate and prove with documentation. Medical expenses are often the largest category, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor appointments, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and any future treatment your doctors say you will need. Lost wages compensate you for income you missed while recovering from your injuries, and if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you may also recover compensation for diminished earning capacity.
Property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal belongings that were damaged in the accident. If you had to rent a car or pay for alternative transportation while your vehicle was being repaired, those costs may be recoverable as well. Keep detailed records and receipts for all expenses related to your accident to ensure nothing is overlooked when calculating your damages.
Not every loss from an accident can be measured with a receipt or bill. Non-economic damages recognize the human cost of your injuries, including physical pain you have endured and will continue to experience during your recovery. Emotional distress covers anxiety, depression, fear, and other psychological suffering that often accompanies serious injuries. If your injuries have prevented you from enjoying hobbies, activities, and experiences that once brought you happiness, you may recover compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disability can affect your self-confidence and quality of life for years or even permanently. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41 allows compensation for these lasting changes to your appearance and abilities.[7] If your injuries have damaged your relationship with your spouse, including your ability to provide companionship and support, your spouse may have a separate claim for loss of consortium under this same statute.[7] These damages are harder to quantify than medical bills, but they represent real harm that deserves fair compensation.
The Texas Hammer® has spent more than 50 years fighting to help injured Texans recover the full compensation they deserve. If you have questions about what your case may be worth, call Jim Adler & Associates today for a free case evaluation.*
While Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550 requires reporting accidents that involve injuries or property damage over $1,000, calling police is recommended even for minor accidents.[2] Hidden injuries like whiplash or concussions may not show symptoms right away, and vehicle damage may be more extensive than it appears at first glance. Having an official police report documents the accident and can protect you if issues arise later. The report provides an independent record of what happened that can be valuable if the other driver later changes their story about the accident.
If the driver who hit you does not have insurance, you may still have options for recovering compensation. Check your own auto policy for uninsured motorist coverage, which is designed specifically for this situation. This coverage can pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver cannot. If you have collision coverage, it may pay for your vehicle repairs regardless of whether the other driver has insurance. An attorney can help you understand all potential sources of recovery and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies often make early settlement offers, hoping that injured people will accept before they understand the full extent of their injuries and damages. These initial offers are frequently much lower than what claims are actually worth. Before accepting any settlement, make sure you understand the complete scope of your injuries and the treatment you will need going forward. Once you sign a release accepting a settlement, you generally cannot go back and ask for more money, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than expected. Speaking with an attorney before accepting a settlement can help ensure you do not leave money on the table.
If you have been hurt in a car accident in Texas, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, has spent more than 50 years standing up for injured Texans, and we are ready to fight for you, too. Our team will investigate your accident, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the full compensation you deserve while you focus on healing. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help you through this difficult time.
Now that you know what to do after a car accident in Texas, the next step is getting experienced legal help on your side. You pay nothing unless we win your case, and your initial consultation is completely free.* Our team is available to speak with you in both English and Spanish. Call us today or fill out the form on this page to get started with a free case evaluation.*
[1] Texas Department of Transportation. Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics. https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records/motor-vehicle-crash-statistics.html
[2] Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 550. Accidents and Accident Reports. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.550.htm
[3] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 33.001. Proportionate Responsibility. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm
[4] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.003. Two-Year Limitations Period. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.16.htm
[5] Texas Department of Transportation. Crash Records Information System. https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/app/home
[6] Insurance Information Institute. Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
[7] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 41. Damages. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/cp/htm/cp.41.htm
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