A car accident can happen in a matter of seconds, but the steps taken afterward may affect safety, medical care, insurance claims, and access to important evidence.
From a rear-end collision on Central Expressway to a T-bone crash at a Dallas intersection or a wreck involving an 18-wheeler, knowing what to do can make the immediate aftermath more manageable.
This general information is intended for Dallas and Texas drivers. It is not legal advice and does not replace advice based on the specific facts of a crash.
1. Check for injuries and get to a safer location
After a collision, first check yourself, passengers, and others involved for injuries. Call 911 if someone may be injured, if there is a fire or other immediate danger, or if emergency medical assistance is needed.
If vehicles can be moved safely, Texas transportation officials recommend moving them out of traffic and into a safer area before exchanging information. Turn on hazard lights, and use flares or other warning devices if available. If a vehicle cannot be moved, remain as safe as possible away from moving traffic.txdot+1
Some injuries are not obvious at the scene. The type of impact, vehicle speed, restraint use, and location of the damage may all affect forces placed on the body. The Car Crash Injuries by Speed visualizer provides an educational look at how rear-end, head-on, side-impact, rollover, and pedestrian collisions can affect injury risk at different speeds. It cannot predict the medical outcome of a specific crash.
2. Exchange required information
Texas drivers involved in a collision may need to provide identifying and insurance information to the other parties. Useful information to exchange includes:
- Full name, address, and phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make, model, color, and license-plate number
- Vehicle registration information
- Name of the auto insurance company and policy number
- The location, time, and date of the collision
Texas law requires a driver involved in a collision that results in injury, death, or damage to a vehicle that cannot be driven safely to stop, determine whether anyone needs aid, notify law enforcement, and remain at the scene. Drivers must provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and liability-insurance information to other involved parties.capitol.texas+1
3. Document the scene when it is safe
Photos, video, and contemporaneous notes can help preserve information that may change quickly after a crash. If it is safe to do so, consider documenting:
- Vehicle positions and overall roadway layout
- Damage to every involved vehicle
- License plates and insurance cards
- Skid marks, debris, broken glass, and traffic signs
- Traffic lights, lane markings, construction zones, and road conditions
- Weather and visibility conditions
- Visible injuries, if appropriate
- Witness names and contact information
Write down what happened while the details are still clear. Note the direction each vehicle was traveling, the lanes involved, the sequence of events, and any statements made at the scene. Avoid speculating about fault or posting details of the crash on social media before the situation has been fully evaluated.
4. Contact law enforcement and obtain crash information
In Texas, law enforcement may prepare a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, commonly called a CR-3 report, for a reportable collision. The report can include information about drivers, passengers, vehicles, injuries, road conditions, contributing factors, and the officer’s observations.
Crash reports are handled through the Texas Department of Transportation’s crash records system. Because these records are confidential, access is limited to people and entities with a proper interest, such as involved drivers, vehicle owners, insurance carriers, and authorized representatives. TxDOT maintains crash reports under a 10-year retention policy.txdot+1
A crash report can be an important record, but it may not contain every relevant fact. Photographs, witness accounts, medical records, vehicle data, and other documentation may also matter when fault or damages are disputed.
5. Seek appropriate medical attention
A person can feel fine immediately after a car wreck and later develop pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, numbness, or other symptoms. Adrenaline and shock may mask symptoms in the immediate aftermath of a collision.
Follow emergency responders’ instructions and seek medical attention when needed. Be accurate when describing how the crash occurred and what symptoms you are experiencing. Keep copies of medical records, discharge paperwork, prescriptions, imaging results, bills, and receipts connected to the crash.
Medical documentation may be important for continuity of care and can also help establish the timing and nature of injuries in an insurance claim or legal dispute.
6. Notify your insurance company
Most auto-insurance policies require policyholders to report a collision within a reasonable time. Reporting a crash does not necessarily mean accepting fault; it generally gives the insurance company notice and allows it to review coverage, investigate the event, and begin the claims process.
When reporting the crash, have the following available if possible:
- Your policy number
- The date, time, and location of the collision
- Names and contact information for other involved people
- Police agency and crash-report details
- Photos or video from the scene
- Vehicle-damage information
- Medical information, if injuries occurred
Review your policy for deadlines, coverage limits, deductibles, rental-car provisions, medical-payment coverage, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Texas consumer resources also advise policyholders to communicate with their insurer and retain their policy documents and claim-related records.texaslawhelp+1
7. Understand common Dallas crash types
Dallas-area crashes can involve many different collision patterns. Each may raise different questions about fault, evidence, and insurance coverage.
Rear-end collisions
Rear-end crashes often occur in congested traffic, at stoplights, in construction zones, or during sudden braking. Evidence may include vehicle damage, traffic-camera footage, witness testimony, dash-camera video, and phone records.
T-bone and intersection accidents
Side-impact collisions can occur when a driver fails to yield, runs a red light or stop sign, makes an unsafe turn, or misjudges oncoming traffic. Signal timing, intersection design, traffic-camera footage, and witness accounts can be relevant.
Hit-and-run accidents
A hit-and-run collision occurs when a driver leaves without stopping or providing required information. In addition to a police report, available evidence may include security footage, surveillance video, vehicle debris, eyewitness accounts, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Drunk-driving crashes
A collision involving suspected impairment may lead to both criminal proceedings and separate insurance or civil issues. Police reports, toxicology evidence, witness accounts, and other records may become relevant.
Truck and 18-wheeler accidents
Commercial vehicle crashes can involve additional parties beyond the driver, including trucking companies, cargo handlers, maintenance providers, and insurers. Evidence may include inspection records, driver logs, electronic data, dispatch records, maintenance documents, and company policies.
Motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle collisions
Motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists have less physical protection in a crash. Visibility, speed, lane position, crosswalk signals, roadway design, and right-of-way rules can all be factors in evaluating these collisions.
8. Keep all crash-related records together
Organizing documents early can make it easier to respond to insurers, medical providers, repair shops, or legal questions later. Keep a dedicated digital folder or paper file with:
- Crash-report information
- Photos and video
- Medical records and bills
- Repair estimates and invoices
- Rental-car and towing receipts
- Proof of missed work or lost income
- Insurance letters, emails, and claim numbers
- A written timeline of symptoms, appointments, and major events
It may also help to keep a brief daily record of physical symptoms, mobility limitations, missed activities, and treatment. Stick to accurate observations rather than guesses or conclusions.
9. Questions that can arise after a Texas car accident
Not every collision results in a major dispute. However, questions can arise when parties disagree about who caused the crash, whether an injury was related to the collision, the value of vehicle damage, available insurance coverage, or the adequacy of a settlement offer.
In more serious crashes, evidence can disappear quickly. Damaged vehicles may be repaired or destroyed, witness memories may fade, and video recordings may be overwritten. Preserving information and understanding applicable deadlines can be important.
words Al Woods
