A car accident can happen in seconds, but what you do afterward can influence your safety, the documentation of the crash, and how an auto insurance claim is processed. If you had a car accident in Texas, try to stay calm and follow a clear order.
This guide summarizes the most important steps: check for injuries, move the vehicle when it is safe, document the scene, exchange information, decide when to call the police, and report the accident to your insurer.
Important: this information is general and does not replace legal or medical advice, nor a review of your policy. If there are injuries, a significant dispute over liability, or serious damage, consider seeking professional guidance.
1. First: make sure everyone is safe
Before thinking about insurance, photos, or who was at fault, check whether you, your passengers, or the other people involved have injuries. If someone needs urgent help, call 911.
Do not try to move an injured person unless there is an immediate danger, such as fire, active traffic, or another situation that makes staying in place unsafe.
When to call 911 and when to seek medical attention
Call 911 if there are apparent injuries, an unconscious person, heavy bleeding, severe pain, difficulty breathing, or any other emergency. It is also a good idea to seek medical evaluation if symptoms appear after the crash, even if you seemed fine at first.
2. Move to a safe place when possible
If no one is injured and your vehicle can be driven, move it out of the flow of traffic to a safe place. TxDOT indicates that, when there are no injuries and the vehicle can be driven, it should be removed from the roadway to reduce the risk of another crash.
Turn on your hazard lights and, if the vehicle cannot be moved, stay out of danger while you wait for help.
3. Document everything before leaving
The information you collect at the scene can be very useful when you file an auto insurance claim. If it is safe to do so, take photos and notes before the vehicles are moved or the scene changes.
Photos of the vehicle, damage, plates, location, and traffic signs
- Damage to all vehicles involved, from several angles.
- Vehicle license plates.
- Position of the vehicles and a general view of the scene, if it is still safe to document it.
- Intersection, street name, lanes, and direction of travel.
- Traffic lights, stop signs, pavement markings, and visible road conditions.
- Glass, detached parts, skid marks, or other relevant details.
Information from the other driver and witnesses
Exchange name, phone number, address, license number, plate, vehicle details, and insurance company. If there are witnesses, ask for their name and a way to contact them. Avoid relying only on a verbal conversation; keep the information in writing or with photographs.
4. When should you call the police?
According to the TxDOT guide, you should call the police when there is an injury or death, the vehicles cannot be moved, you suspect a driver is intoxicated, one of the drivers does not have insurance, or someone leaves the scene.
A police report can also be useful to document objective facts about the accident. If an officer investigates the crash, ask how to get the report number or the information needed to request a copy later.
If there is an emergency, call 911. For official information on what to do after a crash in Texas, you can consult the TxDOT guides.
5. What should you say and what should you avoid at the accident scene?
Speak calmly and limit the conversation to the necessary facts: verify that everyone is okay, exchange information, and cooperate with the police. Avoid arguing, confronting the other person, or speculating about who was at fault.
It is also best to avoid definitive statements like "everything is fine" if you do not yet know whether you have an injury or whether your vehicle has hidden damage. Describe what you observed and let the insurer, the authorities, and, when appropriate, professionals determine the next steps.
6. How to report the accident to your insurance company
Contact your insurer as soon as possible and review your policy's notification requirements. Have the accident information available, along with photos, the other driver's information, the police report number if it exists, and a clear description of what happened.
When you open the claim, ask:
- Which coverages may apply
The answer depends on your policy, who was at fault, and the type of damage or injuries.
- What your deductible is
If you use Collision, Comprehensive, or another coverage with a deductible, confirm how much you are responsible for paying.
- How the inspection will be handled
Ask whether they need photos, a physical inspection, a repair estimate, or additional information.
- Whether you have rental or additional assistance
Check whether your policy includes rental reimbursement, towing, or other applicable benefits.
7. What if the other driver has no insurance?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help, depending on your policy. In Texas, insurers must offer UM/UIM, and the insured can reject it in writing.
UM/UIM can help with certain vehicle damage and injury-related expenses when the other person does not have enough insurance. Review your limits and deductibles with your agent or insurer.
The Texas Department of Insurance explains that UM/UIM may also apply in certain hit-and-run accidents. Always review the specific conditions of your policy.
8. What to do if it was a hit-and-run?
If the other driver leaves the scene, prioritize your safety and call the police. Do not chase the vehicle. Write down or photograph any detail you can get without putting yourself at risk: plate, color, make, model, direction they went, and a description of the driver.
Look for witnesses and check whether there are nearby businesses, homes, or cameras that may have recorded the incident. Then notify your insurer and ask whether you have UM/UIM, Collision, or another coverage that may apply.
9. Coverages worth reviewing after an accident
An accident is also a good time to understand exactly what protection you have. These are some of the most important coverages to review on a Texas auto insurance policy:
Liability
Liability coverage helps pay for damage and injuries you cause to other people when you are legally responsible, up to your policy limits. It normally does not pay for damage to your own vehicle.
Collision
Collision can help repair or replace your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object, subject to the deductible and your policy terms.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive generally covers damage that does not come from a collision, such as certain events involving theft, vandalism, weather, falling objects, or contact with animals. It does not replace Collision for a typical vehicle-to-vehicle crash.
UM/UIM
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist can offer protection when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage. Texas requires this coverage to be offered when purchasing a policy; it can be rejected in writing.
Medical Payments / PIP
Medical Payments can help with certain medical expenses for you and your passengers. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) can cover medical expenses and also certain additional costs, such as part of lost income, according to the policy terms. In Texas, insurers must offer PIP and it can be rejected in writing.
Don't remember whether you have Collision, UM/UIM, PIP, or rental car coverage? Don't wait for another accident to find out. A coverage review can help you understand your limits, deductibles, and current protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report every accident to my insurance?
There is no single answer for every policy. Review your notice conditions. If there was another vehicle, damage, injuries, a possible claim, or a hit-and-run, the safest approach is to contact your insurer as soon as possible.
What if the accident was my fault?
Your insurer will investigate the accident. Your Liability can help with third-party damage or injuries up to the policy limits. If you have Collision, that coverage can help with your own vehicle, subject to the deductible and policy conditions.
Should I accept cash from the other driver?
It's best not to rush. Hidden damage and some injuries can appear later. Accepting an informal settlement too soon could complicate a future claim. Document the accident and first understand the extent of the damage.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Requirements and deadlines can vary by policy and claim type. Report the accident as soon as possible and review your insurance conditions. Policy notification deadlines and possible legal deadlines are not always the same.
Conclusion
After a car accident in Texas, order matters: safety first, then documentation, and then the process with the police and insurance. Having clear information and knowing your coverages can make a difficult situation more manageable.
If you are not sure whether your policy protects you adequately, at Loyal Services LLC we can help you review your coverage and compare Texas auto insurance options.
Not sure whether your policy protects you adequately?
Contact us to review your coverage and get a quote for Texas auto insurance options. Our bilingual agents can help you compare alternatives based on your situation.