I Was Hurt in a Car Accident in Texas — What Do I Do Next?
If you were hurt in a car accident in Texas, the next steps are simple and urgent: get medical care immediately, document the crash and your injuries, avoid insurance statement traps, and talk to a Texas car accident lawyer before you sign anything or accept a quick settlement—call 972-661-1111 for a FREE consultation.
Texas is an at-fault state, which means the insurance company will look for reasons to (1) deny fault, (2) minimize your injuries, or (3) reduce what they pay by blaming you.
Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule: if you’re found more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover damages. That’s why what you do in the first hours and days matters—especially what you say to insurers and what gets documented in your medical records.
This guide is written for injured Texans statewide—Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, the Rio Grande Valley, and everywhere in between—who want clear, step-by-step instructions to protect their health and maximize compensation.
Call 972-661-1111 now. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.
What Should I Do After A Car Accident In Texas?
After a car accident in Texas, you should:
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call 911 and get medical help,
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get the other driver’s information and take photos/video of the scene,
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identify witnesses and nearby cameras,
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get checked by a doctor the same day (or ASAP),
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avoid recorded statements to insurance adjusters, and
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contact a Texas car accident lawyer to protect your claim and pursue maximum compensation.
Free consultation: 972-661-1111
Step 1: Protect Your Safety And Call 911
If you’re injured—or even if you’re unsure—call 911. Ask for police and medical help. A crash report can become a key piece of evidence, especially if fault is later disputed.
If you can safely do it:
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Move to a safer location (shoulder, parking lot) if the vehicles are drivable and it’s safe.
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Turn on hazard lights.
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Accept medical evaluation if offered.
Serious injuries can be masked by adrenaline. Head injuries, internal injuries, and spine injuries often don’t feel “severe” immediately.
Call 972-661-1111 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait.
Step 2: Exchange The Right Information (and don’t rely on memory)
Texas law requires drivers involved in crashes causing injury (or vehicle damage with attended vehicles) to provide identifying information and render aid. At a practical level, you should collect:
What to get from the other driver
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full name + address
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driver’s license number
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insurance company + policy number (or at least proof of insurance)
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license plate number
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vehicle make/model/color
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phone number (if possible)
Texas Transportation Code also specifies duties around giving information and rendering aid.
What NOT to do
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Don’t apologize.
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Don’t guess.
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Don’t argue about fault at the scene.
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Don’t say “I’m fine.”
Keep it factual. Let evidence do the talking.
Call 972-661-1111 now. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.
Step 3: Photograph Everything (this is how cases get won)
If you’re able—take photos/video immediately. Evidence disappears fast.
Take pictures of:
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both vehicles (all angles)
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close-ups of damage
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license plates
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skid marks, debris, road conditions
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traffic lights, stop signs, lane markings
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intersection layout or freeway exits
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weather/visibility conditions
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your injuries (and again over the next few days as bruising develops)
Why this matters in Texas
Insurance companies often try to reduce value by claiming:
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“damage is minimal, so injuries are minor,” or
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“your version of the crash doesn’t match the scene.”
Photos shut those arguments down.
Call 972-661-1111 now for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait.
Step 4: Get Witness Information And Identify Cameras
Witnesses and video can end the fault dispute instantly.
Get witness info:
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name
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phone number
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what they saw (one sentence)
Look for cameras:
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convenience stores and gas stations
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parking lots and businesses
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intersection cameras (availability varies)
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home doorbell cameras
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dash cams from other cars
Footage can be overwritten quickly. If you wait, the best evidence may be gone.
Call 972-661-1111 now. Waiting hurts your case.
Step 5: Get Medical Care Immediately (and follow through)
If you’re hurt, go the same day—ER, urgent care, or your doctor. If your symptoms worsen later, go back.
Common injuries that show up after Texas car crashes
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whiplash and soft tissue injuries
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concussion/TBI symptoms (headache, nausea, memory issues)
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herniated discs and nerve pain (numbness, tingling, weakness)
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shoulder and knee injuries
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fractures (wrist, ribs, ankle)
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PTSD/anxiety, sleep disruption
Why timing matters
Delays allow insurers to argue your injuries aren’t from the wreck. Consistent treatment creates a clean, credible medical timeline.
Call 972-661-1111 now. Don’t wait.
Step 6: Notify Insurance—But Don’t Get Trapped
You typically need to notify your own insurer promptly. But be careful with the other driver’s insurer.
What to tell your own insurer
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basic facts: date, location, vehicles involved
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that you were injured
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that you will provide documentation
What to avoid with the other driver’s insurer
They may ask for:
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a recorded statement
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“full medical authorization” releases
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quick settlement paperwork
Do not give a recorded statement before getting legal advice. Adjusters are trained to get you to say something that:
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shifts fault to you, or
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minimizes injuries before diagnosis.
Call 972-661-1111 now for a FREE consultation.
Step 7: Understand Texas Fault Rules (this can make or break your recovery)
Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. If you’re found more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover damages. If you’re 50% or less responsible, your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Why this matters practically
Insurers will try to push fault onto you in almost every case:
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“You changed lanes.”
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“You stopped suddenly.”
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“You were speeding.”
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“You weren’t paying attention.”
Your defense is evidence: photos, video, witnesses, crash report details, and consistent medical records.
Call 972-661-1111 now. Don’t wait.
Step 8: Know The Deadlines (Texas Statute Of Limitations)
In Texas, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date the cause of action accrues (commonly the crash date). If you miss the deadline, your case can be barred.
Even before the deadline, waiting can still destroy the claim because:
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witness memories fade
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video is overwritten
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vehicle evidence changes
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medical gaps appear
Call 972-661-1111 now. Waiting hurts your case.
How Much Is A Texas Car Accident Case Worth?
There is no honest “one number” because value depends on:
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severity of injuries
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amount of treatment and future care needs
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lost wages and earning capacity impact
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pain and suffering and daily limitations
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strength of liability evidence
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insurance policy limits
Damages typically include
Economic damages
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medical bills (ER, imaging, specialists, PT)
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future medical care (injections, surgery, rehab)
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lost wages
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reduced earning capacity
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out-of-pocket costs (meds, travel, home assistance)
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property damage (vehicle repair/total loss)
Non-economic damages
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pain and suffering
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mental anguish/emotional distress
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loss of enjoyment of life
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impairment/disability
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disfigurement/scarring
Important reality: Texas minimum liability limits can be too low
Texas requires at least 30/60/25 minimum liability coverage (bodily injury per person/per accident and property damage). Serious injury cases can exceed these limits quickly—another reason strategy matters early.
Call 972-661-1111 for a FREE consultation and case value assessment.
Common Accident Scenarios In Texas (and the proof that matters)
Rear-end collisions
Usually strong liability against the rear driver—unless they claim a sudden stop or mechanical issue.
T-bone / intersection crashes
Often turns on signal timing, right-of-way, and witness/video evidence.
Highway crashes (I-35, I-45, I-10, I-20, I-635, etc.)
Speed, following distance, lane changes, and commercial vehicle involvement are common issues.
Hit-and-run
You may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage, depending on your policy and facts (time-sensitive reporting is key).
Commercial vehicle crashes
Often higher insurance layers—but more aggressive defense and more complex evidence.
Call 972-661-1111 now. Don’t wait.
What NOT To Do After A Texas Car Accident (these mistakes reduce settlements)
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Waiting to get medical care
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Gaps in treatment (insurers argue you recovered)
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Recorded statements to the other insurer
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Signing broad medical releases
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Posting on social media about activities
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Accepting the first offer before you know your prognosis
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Repairing/disposing of key evidence without documentation
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Minimizing symptoms in early medical records
If any of these happened, you may still have a claim—but you need to act quickly.
Call 972-661-1111 now for a FREE consultation.
How A Texas Car Accident Lawyer Helps You Win More
A serious injury claim is not just “sending bills.” It’s building leverage.
A strong legal team helps by:
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preserving evidence (video, witnesses, vehicle documentation)
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protecting you from insurance traps
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proving damages with medical documentation and future care planning
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calculating wage loss and earning capacity impact
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negotiating from strength and filing suit when necessary
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making sure deadlines are met (two-year limitation rule)
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fighting comparative fault attacks under the Texas 51% bar framework
Call 972-661-1111 now. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case.
FAQs
Should I go to the doctor if I feel okay after the crash?
Yes. Many injuries show up later. Early evaluation protects your health and your claim.
Do I have to talk to the other driver’s insurance adjuster?
No. Be cautious—especially about recorded statements. Talk to a lawyer first.
What if I was partly at fault?
You may still recover if you’re 50% or less responsible, but your compensation may be reduced. If you’re found more than 50% responsible, recovery is barred.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Texas?
Commonly two years for personal injury claims.
What if the other driver only has minimum insurance?
Texas minimum limits are 30/60/25. Serious injuries can exceed those limits, and additional coverage/strategies may matter.
Call 972-661-1111 for a FREE consultation.
Call Rad Law Firm Now — FREE Consultation (972-661-1111)
If you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in Texas, don’t let insurance companies control the narrative, push blame onto you, or rush you into a low settlement before you understand the true value of your injuries.
Call 972-661-1111 now for a FREE consultation.
Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.