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.
Your safety and the safety of others comes first. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries
- Don't move seriously injured people unless there's immediate danger (fire, oncoming traffic)
- Even for minor accidents, request police response — a police report is valuable for insurance claims
⚠️ Important
Adrenaline may mask injuries. Some injuries — including concussions, whiplash, and internal bleeding — don't show symptoms right away. Always seek medical attention within 72 hours of an accident.
📋 Need a Police Report?
If you need a police report, Accident Avengers can assist you with a free, no-obligation police accident report and a free consultation. Call (936) AVENGER.
Collect the following from all drivers involved:
- Full name and contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver's license number
- License plate number
- Vehicle make, model, year, and color
- Location of accident (cross streets, mile markers)
💡 Pro Tip
Use your phone to photograph the other driver's license, insurance card, and license plate. It's faster and more accurate than writing things down under stress.
Your phone is your most powerful tool at an accident scene. The photos, videos, and information you capture in the first few minutes can make or break your insurance claim.
📸 Photos to Take
- All vehicles involved — every angle (front, back, both sides)
- Damage close-ups on each vehicle
- License plates of all vehicles
- Wide shot showing vehicle positions relative to each other
- Street signs and intersection
- Traffic signals
- Road conditions (wet pavement, potholes, debris, construction)
- Skid marks or broken glass
- Your injuries — even minor bruises, cuts, or swelling
- Other driver's license (photograph it)
- Other driver's insurance card (photograph it)
🎥 Videos to Record
- Walk-around of the entire accident scene
- Close-up of damage on all vehicles with your narration
- Traffic flow and road layout
🎙️ Voice Memo to Record
Open your phone's voice memo app and capture:
- The other driver's account of what happened
- The police officer's observations or opinion on the cause
- Witness statements — ask if they're willing to describe what they saw
- Date, time, and exact location (street names, landmarks)
- Weather and road conditions at the time
This is critical. Even saying "I'm sorry" can be used against you later.
- Stick to the facts when speaking to police
- Don't apologize or speculate about what happened
- Don't discuss fault with the other driver
- Let the insurance companies and investigators determine liability
⚠️ What NOT to Say
"I didn't see you" · "I'm sorry" · "It was my fault" · "I should have been paying attention" · "I think I might have been going too fast"
Even if you feel fine, get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.
- Visit an ER or urgent care within 72 hours — even if you feel okay
- Tell the doctor this was from a car accident
- Follow up with all recommended treatment
- Keep every receipt, bill, and medical record
⚠️ Why This Matters
Insurance companies routinely deny claims when there is a gap in medical treatment. Waiting too long to see a doctor can seriously hurt your case, even if your injuries are real.
Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly, but be careful what you say.
- Report the accident, but stick to basic facts
- Don't give a recorded statement to the OTHER driver's insurance without legal advice
- Don't accept a quick settlement offer — it's almost always less than you deserve
- Don't sign any documents from an insurance company without having them reviewed
💡 Important Distinction
You are required to cooperate with YOUR insurance company. You are NOT required to speak with the other driver's insurance company. Be polite, but know your rights.
Before you talk to the other driver's insurance or sign anything, get a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
- Free case evaluation — no cost, no obligation
- No fee unless we win your case
- We investigate, gather evidence, and negotiate on your behalf
- We handle all communication with insurance companies
- 35+ years of experience protecting accident victims
- Hablamos Español
