A car accident can flip your day—and sometimes your life—upside down in seconds. One moment you’re driving to work, picking up your kids, or heading home, and the next you’re dealing with damage, injuries, police lights, and insurance questions you never expected to answer.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Texas, what you do in the minutes, hours, and days afterward can have a major impact on your health, your finances, and your legal rights. This guide walks you through each step clearly and calmly, so you know exactly what to do and what to avoid.

This article is written to help real people make smart decisions after a crash—without legal jargon, fear tactics, or confusing advice.

Step 1: Get to Safety Without Leaving the Scene

Texas law requires drivers involved in accidents to stop and remain at the scene. That said, your safety comes first.

If possible:

  • Move your vehicle out of traffic
  • Turn on hazard lights
  • Get to the shoulder or a safe nearby area

If the vehicles can’t be moved or someone is seriously injured, stay where you are and wait for help.

According to the Texas Transportation Code §550, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or property damage can lead to serious criminal charges.

Step 2: Check for Injuries and Call 911

Even if injuries seem minor, call 911. Some injuries—especially head, neck, and internal injuries—don’t show symptoms right away.

Tell the dispatcher:

  • Your location
  • How many vehicles are involved
  • Whether anyone appears injured
  • If traffic is blocked or dangerous

Emergency responders create an official record that becomes important later for insurance and legal claims.

Step 3: Cooperate With Police, But Be Careful With Your Words

When police arrive, they will:

  • Secure the scene
  • Gather statements
  • Write an accident report

You should:

  • Answer basic questions honestly
  • Provide your license and insurance
  • Stick to the facts

Avoid:

  • Guessing about speed or fault
  • Apologizing
  • Saying “I’m fine” if you’re not sure

In Texas, fault is often determined later using evidence, not roadside statements.

You can request a copy of the crash report through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

Step 4: Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Texas law requires drivers to exchange certain information after an accident.

Be sure to collect:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Address
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance company and policy number
  • License plate number

If the other driver refuses, tell the police officer on scene.

Step 5: Document the Scene With Photos and Video

Your phone is one of the most powerful tools you have after an accident.

Take photos of:

  • Vehicle damage from multiple angles
  • The overall scene
  • Traffic signals or signs
  • Skid marks
  • Weather and road conditions
  • Visible injuries

If possible, record a short video walking around the scene. These details can disappear quickly once vehicles are moved or repaired.

Step 6: Talk to Witnesses and Get Their Contact Info

Independent witnesses can make a huge difference in Texas accident claims.

If anyone saw the crash:

  • Ask for their name
  • Get a phone number
  • Ask if they’re willing to give a statement

Police may not always capture every witness, especially in busy areas like Dallas or Fort Worth.

Step 7: Seek Medical Attention—Even If You Feel “Okay”

This step protects both your health and your legal rights.

Many common accident injuries show delayed symptoms, including:

  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Back and spinal issues

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury in the U.S.

Seeing a doctor creates a medical record that links your injuries to the crash.

Step 8: Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully

Texas requires drivers to report accidents to their insurance company promptly.

When you call:

  • Stick to basic facts
  • Do not speculate
  • Do not accept blame
  • Do not agree to a recorded statement without legal advice

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, even when you are not at fault.

Step 9: Understand Texas Fault and Compensation Rules

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule.

This means:

  • You can recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault
  • Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault

Example:

If you are found 20% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20%.

Texas law also limits how long you have to file a claim. The statute of limitations for most car accident injury claims is two years from the date of the crash.

Waiting too long can permanently bar your case.

Step 10: Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement

Insurance companies often offer fast settlements before the full impact of injuries is known.

These early offers:

  • Rarely account for future medical care
  • Don’t consider lost earning potential
  • Ignore pain, suffering, and long-term effects

Once you accept a settlement, you usually give up the right to pursue further compensation—even if new injuries appear.

Step 11: Avoid Social Media After an Accident

What you post can be used against you.

Avoid:

  • Posting photos of activities
  • Talking about the accident
  • Responding to comments about your injuries

Insurance companies monitor social media closely and may use posts out of context.

Step 12: Speak With an Experienced Texas Personal Injury Attorney

Car accident cases often involve:

  • Disputed fault
  • Serious injuries
  • Multiple insurance companies
  • Commercial or truck defendants
  • Long-term financial impact

An experienced dallas car accident attorney can:

  • Investigate the crash
  • Handle insurance communications
  • Calculate full damages
  • Protect your rights
  • Push back against unfair blame

Texas accident cases move faster and more effectively when handled correctly from the start.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Texas Car Accident

Many people hurt their own case without realizing it. Avoid:

  • Delaying medical care
  • Giving recorded statements
  • Signing documents without review
  • Missing follow-up appointments
  • Assuming the insurance company is on your side

Each of these can weaken your claim.

Why Local Experience in Dallas–Fort Worth Matters

Accidents in Dallas and Fort Worth often involve:

  • Heavy traffic corridors
  • Commercial trucks
  • Complex intersections
  • High-speed highways

Local knowledge matters when:

  • Investigating crash scenes
  • Working with local law enforcement
  • Dealing with area insurance practices
  • Understanding local courts and procedures

When Injuries Change Your Life, You Deserve Strong Representation

A car accident doesn’t just damage a vehicle. It can affect your job, your family, your health, and your future. Texas law allows injured people to pursue compensation when someone else’s negligence causes harm—but the process isn’t simple.

That’s where the right legal team makes the difference.

Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys in Dallas & Fort Worth

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, you don’t have to face insurance companies alone.

McGilberry & Shirer brings more than 60 years of combined experience and has successfully represented over 10,000 personal injury victims. Their team fights for people injured in car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle crashes, and wrongful death cases throughout Dallas and Fort Worth.

They are available 24 hours a day, because accidents don’t follow business hours.

Call to speak with a team that is committed to protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve. When the stakes are high, McGilberry & Shirer stand ready to help you move forward with confidence.