What To Do After A Car Accident
A step-by-step checklist to protect your health, your rights, and your insurance claim. Bookmark this page — you'll want it if you ever need it.
Texas law requires you to stop after any accident. Leaving the scene can result in criminal charges, even if the accident wasn't your fault.
- Turn on your hazard lights immediately
- If possible, move vehicles out of traffic to a safe location
- Stay calm — panicking can lead to poor decisions
- If on a highway, stay behind guardrails or barriers if possible
⚠️ Texas Law
Leaving the scene of an accident in Texas is a criminal offense. If there are injuries, it can be charged as a felony with up to 10 years in prison.
Before anything else, check yourself and all passengers for injuries. Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt — do not wait.
- Check yourself for injuries before getting out of the vehicle
- Check all passengers — front and back seats
- Call 911 immediately if there are any injuries, no matter how minor they seem
- Do not move anyone who may have a neck or back injury unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic)
- Turn on hazard lights and use flares or warning triangles if available
⚠️ Don't Assume You're Fine
Adrenaline can mask pain. Injuries like whiplash, concussion, and internal bleeding may not appear for hours or days. Always seek a medical evaluation after any significant collision.
Texas law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. A police report is one of the most important documents you will need.
- Call 911 or the non-emergency line for your city/county
- Stay at the scene and wait for officers to arrive
- Tell the officer exactly what happened — stick to the facts
- Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene
- Get the responding officer's name and badge number
- Ask how and when you can obtain a copy of the police report
💡 Get the Case Number
Before the officer leaves, ask for the case number or report number. You'll need it to get a copy of the official report for your insurance claim.
Texas law requires all drivers involved in an accident to exchange certain information. Collect and provide the following from every driver involved.
- Full legal name and contact information
- Driver's license number and issuing state
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, year, and color
- License plate number and state
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if possible
⚠️ Don't Discuss Fault
Exchange information only. Do not discuss who was at fault, how fast you were going, or any details of the accident with the other driver. Those conversations can be used against you later.
Your phone is one of the most powerful tools you have after an accident. Take photos and video before vehicles are moved whenever it is safe to do so.
- Photograph all vehicles involved from multiple angles
- Photograph all visible damage — close up and wide shots
- Photograph the license plates of all vehicles
- Photograph the accident scene, road conditions, skid marks, and debris
- Photograph any traffic signs, signals, or road markings relevant to the accident
- Photograph any visible injuries on yourself or passengers
- Note the time, weather conditions, and lighting
- Take a short video panning the entire scene if safe to do so
💡 More Is More
You can never have too many photos after an accident. Take 20, 30, or 50 pictures if you can. Scenes get cleaned up quickly and you cannot go back.
Independent witnesses can be critical to establishing what happened. Act quickly — witnesses leave the scene fast.
- Identify anyone who saw the accident happen
- Get their full name, phone number, and email address
- Ask if they would be willing to provide a statement
- Do not coach or suggest what they should say — just get their contact info
- Note their location when they witnessed the accident
💡 Look for Nearby Businesses
Nearby businesses, gas stations, and traffic cameras may have recorded the accident. Note any cameras you can see at or near the scene.
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible — most policies require prompt notification. This is true even if the accident wasn't your fault.
- Call your insurance company's claims line as soon as you are safe
- Provide only the factual details — what, when, where
- Do not speculate about fault or accept blame
- Give them the other driver's insurance information
- Keep a record of every call — date, time, representative's name, and claim number
- Follow up in writing (email) to create a paper trail
⚠️ Be Careful with Recorded Statements
The other driver's insurance company may ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one. Consult with an attorney before providing any recorded statement to an opposing insurer.