The steps you take right after a crash can protect both your health and your right to be paid. This guide covers what to do after a car accident in Texas, in order, from the scene to your first call with an insurance company.
The short version is simple: protect your safety first, then protect the record. The rest of this page explains each step and why it matters.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in San Angelo, Texas?
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Texas comes down to six steps: move to safety, call 911, exchange information, document the scene, seek medical care, and contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking with insurance adjusters. Taking these steps in order protects both your health and your right to recover.
The steps below walk through each one. For help with a specific crash, you can speak with a San Angelo car accident lawyer.
Step 1: Get to Safety and Call 911
If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and others for injuries, then call 911.
In Texas, you must report a crash that causes injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report also creates an official record that matters later for your claim.
Step 2: Exchange Information
Get the other driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, and license plate number. Share the same in return.
Try to stay calm and avoid arguing about who was at fault. Do not apologize or admit fault, because those statements can be used against you later.
Step 3: Document the Scene
Use your phone to photograph the vehicles, the damage, the road, and any visible injuries. Capture the wider scene too, including traffic signs and skid marks.
If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. Their accounts can be valuable if the other driver later disputes what happened.
Car Accident Scene: What to Do and What to Avoid
| Do This at the Scene | Avoid This at the Scene |
| Move to safety and turn on hazard lights | Leaving the scene before police arrive |
| Call 911 and get a police report | Admitting fault or apologizing |
| Photograph vehicles, injuries, and the road | Arguing with the other driver |
| Exchange insurance and contact information | Refusing to seek medical care |
| Get witness names and phone numbers | Giving a recorded statement to the other insurer |
| Seek medical care, even if you feel fine | Accepting a fast settlement offer on the spot |
Step 4: Seek Medical Care Right Away
See a doctor even if you feel fine, because some injuries take hours or days to appear. A prompt medical record ties your injuries directly to the crash.
Gaps in treatment are one of the first things an insurer uses to argue an injury is not serious. Following through on care protects both your health and your claim.
Step 5: Be Careful With Insurance Adjusters
The other driver’s insurer may call quickly and sound helpful, but its goal is to limit what it pays. You are not required to give a recorded statement or accept a fast settlement offer.
It is wise to speak with a lawyer before giving any statement or signing anything. An early offer is often far less than a claim is actually worth.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Texas?
Texas generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. Waiting can cost you evidence and, eventually, the right to recover at all.
Acting sooner also makes the case stronger, because the scene, the vehicles, and witness memories are all fresher. The same is true for other personal injury claims in San Angelo, not just car crashes.
Talk to a San Angelo Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash, the steps you take now can shape your entire claim. Templeton Law Firm has helped injured people across San Angelo and West Texas for more than 25 years.
When you are ready, you can schedule a free consultation with our team.
Call (325) 482-9120 or contact us online. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call the police after a minor car accident in San Angelo?
Yes. Even for a seemingly minor crash, a police report creates an official record of what happened. Texas also requires reporting any crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage.
Do I need to see a doctor if I feel fine after a crash?
Yes. Some injuries, including concussions and soft-tissue damage, do not show symptoms right away. A prompt medical visit protects your health and connects any later symptoms to the accident.
Who should I call after a car wreck in San Angelo?
Call 911 first, then your own insurance company to report the crash. Before speaking with the other driver’s insurer or accepting any offer, it is wise to consult a lawyer.