Texas Injury Lawyers Blog
The steps you take immediately after an accident are critical.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Texas?
The moments after a car accident are often a blur. Between checking on the people in your vehicle, getting out of traffic, and trying to understand what just happened, it can be hard to know what to do first.
The steps you take will depend on the crash, but a few immediate actions can help protect your safety, get you the medical care you need, and preserve important information. Here are five things to do after a Texas car accident.
Key Takeaway
Your health and safety come first after a Texas crash. Once everyone is safe, gather the information that may help explain the collision and get medical attention for any possible injury.
1. Move to Safety and Call 9-1-1
If your vehicle can be moved safely and is creating a traffic hazard, move it out of active lanes and turn on your hazard lights. Do not leave the scene.
Texas law requires a driver to give notice of a collision by the quickest means of communication when it results in injury, death, or damage that prevents a vehicle from being driven safely.¹ Call 9-1-1 when anyone may be injured, a driver has left the scene, or there is an immediate danger. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
2. Check for Injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, and tell the dispatcher if anyone is hurt, trapped, or unresponsive. Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is an immediate danger, such as fire or oncoming traffic.
Some injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, may not be obvious right away. Getting evaluated promptly can protect your health and create a record of your symptoms and treatment.
3. Exchange Required Information
Texas drivers involved in a crash must exchange identifying, vehicle, and insurance information.² When it is safe, get the other driver’s:
- Name, address, phone number, and driver’s license information
- License plate number and vehicle description
- Insurance company and policy information
Do not rely only on the police report to preserve this information.
4. Document the Crash Scene
Take photos or video of the vehicle positions and damage, the wider roadway, traffic signs or signals, skid marks, debris, weather, and visible injuries when appropriate. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. Also make a note of nearby businesses, homes, or traffic cameras that may have recorded the crash.
This evidence can disappear quickly after vehicles are moved and the scene is cleared.
5. Notify Your Insurer, Then Speak With a Lawyer Before Discussing the Crash
Notify your own insurer about the crash as your policy requires. After you do, an insurance adjuster may contact you with questions about what happened. If someone was injured, speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement, signing a broad medical authorization, or accepting an early offer.
Insurance companies are trained to look for statements they can use to minimize a claim. In the days after a crash, you may not yet know the full extent of your injuries, who was at fault, or which coverage applies. You do not have to decide immediately whether to file a lawsuit, but a lawyer can explain your options, help preserve evidence, and communicate with insurers while you focus on recovery.
What Comes Next After a Texas Car Accident?
These immediate steps can help you get through the scene safely. Once the emergency has passed, you may have questions about fault, medical bills, insurance coverage, and how long you have to act. Read our complete Texas car accident guide for a fuller explanation of your options.
Injured in a Texas Car Accident? Call Shaw.
After a crash, you should not have to handle insurer calls and claim questions alone while you are trying to recover. If another driver caused your accident, compensation may help with:
- Medical bills and future care
- Lost wages or reduced earning ability
- Vehicle damage
- Pain, impairment, or other lasting effects
- And more
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Texas. We look forward to serving you.