Car Accident Checklist: What to Do After a Car Wreck in Texas
If you were just in car accident in Carrollton, DFW, or anywhere in North Texas, this page is for you. The steps you take in the next few hours matter more than most people realize, both for your health and for any injury claim you might have. Here is what to do.
The Short Answer (what to do right now)
Check for injuries and call 911
Move your vehicle to the shoulder if you can do so safely
Document the scene with photos and video
Exchange information with the other driver
Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay
Avoid discussing fault with insurance
Call Carrollton Injury Law for a free claim evaluation: (972) 360-9898
Step 1: Make Sure Everyone is Safe
The first thing you do at the scene matters. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries before anything else. If anyone is hurt, do not move them unless there is an immediate danger, like a fire or oncoming traffic.
If your car is drivable and you're on a busy road, like I-35E through Carrollton, Sam Rayburn Tollway, or Belt Line Road, move your vehicle to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights. These roads carry heavy traffic and a stopped car in a live lane creates serious danger.
Step 2: Call 911
Call 911 even if the accident looks minor. Texas law requires you to report accidents that result in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. A police report is also one of the most important documents you'll have if you file an injury claim. Insurance companies take it seriously, and without one, it's your word against the other driver's.
When the officer arrives, get the responding officer's name, badge number, and the police report number before you leave the scene.
Step 3: Document Everything Before You Leave the Scene
Use your phone to capture as much as you can while you're still at the scene. What to photograph and video:
All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
The damage to every vehicle
License plates
The road itself: skid marks, debris, potholes, missing signage, anything relevant
Any visible injuries on yourself or passengers
Street signs, traffic signals, and the broader intersection or stretch of road
Weather and lighting conditions
If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. A witness who saw what happened can be worth a lot in a disputed-fault situation.
Sketch or describe the positions of the vehicles before and after impact while it's fresh in your mind. Even a rough diagram on your phone's notes app helps.
Step 4: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Get the following from every driver involved:
Full name and contact information
Driver's license number
License plate number and vehicle description
Insurance company and policy number
Do not apologize at the scene, even if you're saying it out of reflex. In Texas, comparative negligence rules mean that an apology or any admission can be used to reduce your share of compensation. Be polite, exchange information, and let the insurance companies and attorneys sort out who’s at fault.
Step 5: See a Doctor, Even If You Feel Okay
This is where a lot of injury claims fall apart. People feel shaken but okay at the scene, decide not to see a doctor, and then develop symptoms days later: neck pain, headaches, back pain, numbness. At that point the insurance company argues the injuries didn't come from the accident.
Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries can take 24 to 72 hours to fully present symptoms. Seeing a doctor the same day or next day creates the medical record that ties your injuries to the accident. Without that documentation, you have almost no leverage.
If you don't have a doctor or aren't sure where to go, we can help. Carrollton Injury Law works with a network of medical providers across DFW who will treat you now and get paid from your settlement, no upfront cost to you.
Free Injury Claim Evaluation. Call (972) 360-9898. Available 24/7. Se habla español.
Step 6: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company promptly. Most policies require it. Be factual and don't speculate about fault. Provide the police report number and the other driver's information.
One important note: you may also receive a call from the other driver's insurance adjuster. You are not required to give them a recorded statement. In fact, it's almost always a bad idea to do so before consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that reduce what they have to pay you.
Step 7: Keep Records of Everything
From this point forward, document everything related to the accident:
All medical appointments, diagnoses, and treatments
Medications and their costs
Days missed from work and the income you lost
Any out-of-pocket expenses connected to the accident
How your injuries are affecting your daily life (write it down, even briefly, each day)
This documentation becomes the backbone of your injury claim. The more detailed it is, the better position you're in.
Step 8: Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney Before You Settle
Insurance companies move fast after accidents. They may contact you within days with a settlement offer that sounds reasonable. Almost always, that first offer is far below what your claim is actually worth, because they make it before you know the full extent of your injuries, your medical bills, or your lost wages.
An experienced personal injury attorney reviews your claim at no cost and tells you honestly what it's worth. At Carrollton Injury Law, we only take cases where we can get you more money than you'd get on your own, after our fee.
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. That clock starts the day of the accident. If you miss it, you lose your right to compensation entirely, so don't wait too long to make a call.
Ready to talk? Call or text us any time at (972) 360-9898. The evaluation is free and there's no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Texas
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Carrollton?
Check for injuries, call 911, move your vehicle to safety if possible, document the scene with photos, exchange information with the other driver, and see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Call Carrollton Injury Law at (972) 360-9898 for a free injury claim evaluation.
Do I have to call the police after a minor fender-bender in Texas?
Texas law requires you to report accidents that result in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Even if damage looks minor, it's usually worth calling. A police report protects you if the other driver changes their story later, and most repair estimates on even minor accidents exceed $1,000.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
Texas requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone does. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to make a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage. A personal injury attorney can walk you through your options; call us at (972) 360-9898.
Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company?
No. You are not legally required to, and doing so almost always hurts your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to reduce what they pay. Talk to an attorney first.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Texas?
Two years from the date of the accident. This is called the statute of limitations. Missing the deadline means losing your right to compensation, so don't wait, especially if your injuries are serious.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51 percent at fault. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can help you understand how fault is likely to be assessed in your case.
How much does it cost to hire Carrollton Injury Law?
Nothing out of pocket. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes out of the settlement; you never write us a check.
Why Carrollton Injury Law
We have served injured clients in Carrollton, DFW, and across Texas for nearly 20 years. We have 300+ five-star Google reviews. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. And we work on a contingency basis, no fee unless we win.
More importantly: we pick up the phone, we keep you updated with consistent communication, and we treat you like a person, not just a case number. That's what "putting Personal back into Personal Injury Law" actually means day to day.
Call or text us 24/7 at (972) 360-9898 for your free injury claim evaluation. Se habla español.
