What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas: Step-by-Step Checklist (2026)

# What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas: Your Complete Checklist

> **QUICK SUMMARY — After an accident in Texas:**
> 1. Check for injuries and call 911
> 2. Move to safety if possible
> 3. Exchange information with the other driver
> 4. Document the scene
> 5. Report to Texas DMV within 10 days if damage exceeds $1,000
> 6. Notify your insurance company
> 7. Seek medical attention

Texas has the highest number of car accidents in the United States — roughly 560,000 every year. If you have just been in a crash, you may be feeling overwhelmed. This step-by-step guide will walk you through exactly what to do right now.

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## Step 1 — Check for Injuries and Call 911

Your safety comes first. Before anything else:

– **Check yourself** for injuries
– **Check your passengers**
– **Call 911** if anyone is hurt — even if injuries seem minor
– If someone is seriously injured, **do not move them** unless there is an immediate danger (fire, traffic)

Texas law requires you to stop at the scene and render aid. Leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is a criminal offense.

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## Step 2 — Move to a Safe Location

If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so:

– Move vehicles **to the shoulder** or a nearby parking lot
– Turn on **hazard lights**
– Set up **warning triangles or flares** if you have them
– **Stay out of traffic lanes**

If vehicles cannot be moved, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives, unless there is a fire or other immediate danger.

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## Step 3 — Exchange Information

Collect the following from the other driver:

– **Full name** and contact information
– **Driver’s license number**
– **Insurance company** and policy number
– **License plate number**
– **Vehicle make, model, and color**

Also get information from any **witnesses**:
– Name and phone number
– What they saw

**Important:** Be polite but factual. **Do not admit fault** — even saying “I’m sorry” can be used against you later.

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## Step 4 — Document Everything

Your phone is your best tool right now. Take photos and videos of:

– **All vehicle damage** (your car and the other car, from multiple angles)
– **The accident scene** (road conditions, traffic signs, signals, skid marks)
– **License plates** of all vehicles involved
– **Your injuries** (bruises, cuts, swelling)
– **Weather and lighting conditions**

Also write down:
– **Time and date** of the accident
– **Exact location** (street names, nearby landmarks)
– **What happened** — your own account while it is fresh in your memory

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## Step 5 — File a Police Report

### When Is a Report Required in Texas?

Texas law requires reporting if:
– Anyone is injured or killed
– Any vehicle cannot be safely driven
– Property damage appears to exceed **$1,000**

### How to File

– **At the scene:** The responding officer will create an official crash report
– **Texas DMV:** File a **CR-2 (Blue Form)** within **10 days** if no officer responded
– **Getting the report:** Request it from the responding law enforcement agency or the TxDOT crash records system

Even for minor accidents, getting a police report is recommended. It creates an official record that can help your insurance claim.

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## Step 6 — Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company **as soon as possible** after the accident. Most policies require prompt notification.

When you call:
– **Stick to the facts** — what happened, where, when
– **Do not speculate about fault**
– **Do not give a recorded statement** to the other driver’s insurance without understanding your rights first
– **Provide the police report number**

Texas is a **fault state**, so the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for damages. You can file a claim with your own insurer or directly with the other driver’s insurer.

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## Step 7 — Seek Medical Attention

**See a doctor even if you feel fine.** Many injuries from car accidents do not show symptoms right away:

– **Whiplash** can take hours or days to appear
– **Concussions** may not be obvious immediately
– **Internal injuries** may have delayed symptoms
– **Adrenaline** can mask pain

Medical records also create an important link between the accident and your injuries, which is critical for any insurance claim.

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## Step 8 — Understand Your Rights Under Texas Law

### Texas Is a Fault State

The driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. You can pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance or file a lawsuit.

### Texas’s Comparative Fault Rule

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, if you are **more than 50% at fault**, you cannot recover any damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage.

### Statute of Limitations

You have **2 years** from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003).

### Minimum Insurance

Texas requires **30/60/25** minimum liability coverage.

For a complete breakdown of Texas laws, see: [Texas Car Accident Laws: Everything You Need to Know](/texas/car-accident-laws/)

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## What NOT to Do After a Car Accident in Texas

– **Do not leave the scene.** Hit and run is a criminal offense in Texas, even for minor accidents.
– **Do not admit fault.** Do not say “it was my fault” or “I’m sorry.” Stick to facts.
– **Do not post on social media.** Insurance companies and lawyers can use your posts against you.
– **Do not accept the first settlement offer** without reviewing it carefully. First offers are often lower than what your claim may be worth.
– **Do not skip medical treatment.** Gaps in treatment can weaken your claim.
– **Do not sign anything** from the other driver’s insurance without understanding what you are agreeing to.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Texas?

You must call the police if anyone is injured, if vehicles cannot be driven, or if property damage exceeds $1,000. Even for minor accidents, a police report is recommended for your insurance claim.

### How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?

You have **2 years** from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. For insurance claims, contact your insurer as soon as possible — most policies have notification requirements.

### What if the other driver does not have insurance?

If the other driver is uninsured, you may file a claim under your own **Uninsured Motorist (UM)** coverage if you have it. You can also sue the uninsured driver directly.

### Should I see a doctor even if I feel fine?

Yes. Many accident injuries — whiplash, concussions, internal injuries — may not show symptoms for hours or days. Early medical documentation also strengthens your claim.

### What if the accident was partly my fault?

Texas uses a **modified comparative fault rule**. If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages (reduced by your fault %). If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything.

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## Related Guides for Texas

– [How to File an Insurance Claim in Texas](/texas/insurance-claim/)
– [Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Texas?](/texas/do-i-need-a-lawyer/)
– [Texas Car Accident Laws: Everything You Need to Know](/texas/car-accident-laws/)
– [Rear-End Collision in Texas](/texas/rear-end-collision/)
– [T-Bone Accident in Texas](/texas/t-bone-accident/)
– [Hit and Run in Texas](/texas/hit-and-run/)

### See This Guide for Other States

– [What to Do After a Car Accident in California](/california/car-accident-guide/)
– [What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida](/florida/car-accident-guide/)
– [What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia](/georgia/car-accident-guide/)
– [What to Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina](/north-carolina/car-accident-guide/)

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*Need help with your Texas car accident? [Get a free case evaluation](/free-case-evaluation/) from a local attorney.*

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**DISCLAIMER:** This website is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page provides general educational information only. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. This is not medical advice. If you have been injured, seek immediate medical attention. Last updated: March 2026.