A crash happens in Texas every 57 seconds.
In 2024 alone, that meant 251,977 injuries and 4,150 fatalities across the state, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
This guide breaks down what to do after a car accident in Texas, from the moment of impact to the steps that can protect your health and your rights.
When a car accident happens, you don’t have time to think about everything you must do.
That’s why it’s important to know the steps even if you never come to use them.
Here’s an easy-to-remember checklist you can use if you or a loved one gets in a car crash in Texas.
It can also come in handy if you’ve already been in an accident and want to make sure you haven’t missed anything important.
Read on to find out more about each step, along with why it matters.
Check if you and your passengers have sustained injuries, then ask the other driver and the passengers in their vehicle whether they are hurt.
If anyone is injured, call 911 and wait for an ambulance.
If you’re able to, move your car to the shoulder so it doesn’t block traffic and cause another accident.
Turn on your hazard lights and set out a warning triangle to signal to other drivers to slow down.
A second collision in live traffic is common and can turn a minor crash into a serious one with more injured people.
If a vehicle is badly damaged or blocking a lane, leave it where it is and wait for police or a tow.
You may think it’s not necessary to report a minor crash to the police. However, an officer’s report serves as the official record insurance companies and courts can use later.
This is especially important if the other driver changes their story or new damage or injuries show up.
When Are You Required to Report a Car Accident in Texas?
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.062, a driver must call police when there’s an injury, a death, or property damage that appears to total $1,000 or more.
In practice, that covers nearly every collision beyond the light parking lot bump.
What Information Should You Give to the Police?
Tell the officer what you saw: where you were headed and how the crash happened.
Avoid speculating distances, speed, and who was at fault. These are easy to misjudge when adrenaline is high and difficult to change if your words are already in the official report.
The officer will note your statement, along with vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and any citations issued.
Before anyone leaves the accident scene, make sure you have collected the following:
Stick to the facts. Don’t discuss fault, apologize, or agree to handle it between yourselves without a police report.
A small, polite gesture at the scene can turn into a disputed statement later.
Evidence disappears fast. With vehicles towed, skid marks faded, and memories blurred, it can be difficult to reconstruct what happened later.
If you’re not putting yourself at risk, gather what you can while it’s still there.
Take Photos and Videos
Capture:
Keep Evidence After You Leave the Scene
An insurance adjuster, the other driver, or a potential lawsuit may later question what happened, so it helps to have more proof to back up your words.
This can include damaged clothing, tow and repair estimates, dashcam footage before it’s overwritten, and event data recorder information.
Ask the people who saw the crash for their name and phone number. A neutral witness statement can carry real weight later.
Adrenaline can blur your pain, so you may not notice injuries like whiplash, a concussion, or soft tissue damage until hours or even days later.
What If You Feel Fine After the Accident?
Even if you think everything is fine, get checked.
A same-day or next-day medical visit is important for two reasons:
The Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, known as the CR-3, documents the circumstances of a car accident and is filed by an investigating officer with the Texas Department of Transportation.
It’s usually the most useful document when you open an insurance claim because it gives an official, third-party account of what happened.
How Do You Get a Copy of Your Texas Crash Report?
Requesting your Texas crash report is easy. All you need to do is go to TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System and enter a few details, like the crash date and county.
A standard copy costs $6, and a certified copy costs $8.
How Long Does It Take for a Crash Report to Become Available?
Reports are typically available 7 to 14 days after the crash. Complex investigations or fatal crashes can take longer.
Most policies require you to report a car accident within a reasonable time, regardless of who was at fault for the crash.
Communicate the key facts and wait for the adjuster to review your claim.
Should You Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
You’re not obligated to do so. It’s usually wiser to speak with a lawyer first before you decide on your next steps.
Start a folder, physical or digital, where you can add all the information and expenses connected to the crash, such as:
A few clear steps after a crash can make all the difference for your health and your case
Even when you already know what to do after a car accident, the legal side can raise questions a checklist can’t answer.
Laws around fault, deadlines, and compensation for your injuries can be confusing, especially while you’re also dealing with recovery.
Talking to a car accident attorney like Jim Adler & Associates can help you understand Texas’s car accident laws and what they mean for your case.
It also gives you a clear picture of where you stand and what to do next, without having to piece it together on your own.
Between doctor visits, missed paychecks, and talking to insurance adjusters, the weeks after a crash can be scary and overwhelming.
Having someone who’s handled thousands of similar cases means you don’t have to guess your way through it.
For more than 50 years, Jim Adler & Associates, known as the Texas Hammer, has guided injured Texans through what to do after a car accident, from the first call to the final settlement.
A few things worth knowing about our team:
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, reach out for a free case review. We’ll carry some of that weight for you.
Here are quick answers to the questions people ask most about what to do after a car accident in Texas.
Texas is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash, or their insurer, pays for the damage.
That’s why Texas requires drivers to carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in injury coverage, plus $25,000 for property damage.
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (recommended, but not mandatory in Texas) and damages are higher than the at-fault driver’s policy limits, it can help cover the difference.
Insurance adjusters and courts, if it goes that far, look at the police report, witness statements, and evidence like vehicle damage and road conditions to figure out who caused the crash.
If your damages go beyond what insurance covers, or the insurer denies or comes up with a low estimate, you may decide to file a claim to recover fair compensation.
You generally have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit in Texas.
If the accident involved a minor or a government entity, different deadlines apply.
Every case is different, and your settlement depends on different factors, including your injuries, evidence, and the insurance coverage on both sides.
Texas follows what’s known as the 51% bar rule. You can still recover damages as long as you’re found less than 51% at fault.
In this case, your compensation amount will be reduced by your share of the blame.
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