What to Do After a Car Accident in Dallas: A Step-by-Step Guide
A car accident can turn an ordinary drive through Dallas into a stressful, confusing situation in a matter of seconds. Whether you are rear-ended on I-635, involved in a collision on Central Expressway, or struck at a busy intersection, knowing what to do immediately afterward can make a meaningful difference in protecting your health, your evidence, and your legal options.
The moments and days following a crash are important. You may be dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, insurance companies, medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about who is responsible. It is easy to make decisions under pressure that could complicate your ability to recover compensation later.
This guide walks Dallas-area drivers through the most important steps to take after a car accident in Texas.
Important: This article provides general information about Texas personal injury law and is not a substitute for legal advice about your specific circumstances.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
Your first priority after a collision should be safety, not figuring out who was at fault.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone appears seriously injured, call 911 and request emergency medical assistance.
If the vehicles can be safely moved and no one requires immediate emergency care, Texas Department of Transportation guidance recommends moving the vehicles out of the roadway to a safer location before exchanging information.
If you cannot safely move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and wait for assistance. Be especially careful on busy Dallas highways, where approaching traffic can create an additional danger.
Step 2: Call the Police When Appropriate
Depending on the circumstances, contacting law enforcement may be an important part of documenting the collision.
Texas Department of Insurance recommends calling the police when someone is injured or when the other driver leaves the scene. It also recommends obtaining a copy of the police report for your insurance company.
When officers arrive, provide information about what happened. Avoid speculating about fault or making statements such as "I wasn't paying attention" or "I'm sorry, this was my fault."
Even if you believe the accident was minor, remember that some injuries and other consequences may not become apparent immediately.
Step 3: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Get the other drivers:
Full name
Phone number
Driver's license information
Insurance company and policy information
License plate number
Vehicle make and model
You should also provide your own information as required.
If the other driver refuses to provide information, appears intoxicated, becomes aggressive, or attempts to leave the scene, don't put yourself in danger trying to stop them. Contact law enforcement instead.
Step 4: Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able to do so, use your phone to document as much as possible.
Take photographs and videos of:
Damage to every vehicle involved
License plates
The surrounding roadway
Traffic signs and signals
Lane markings
Skid marks or debris
The position of the vehicles
Visible injuries
Weather or road conditions
Nearby businesses or buildings that may have surveillance cameras
This evidence can become particularly important if the drivers disagree about how the collision happened.
What Evidence Can Prove Who Caused a Car Accident?
Determining fault isn't always as simple as asking which driver received a traffic citation. Photographs, witness statements, video footage, vehicle damage, crash reports, electronic data, and other evidence may help establish what actually happened.
[INTERNAL LINK — What Evidence Can Prove Who Caused a Car Accident in Texas?]
Our upcoming guide will take a closer look at the evidence that may help establish liability after a Texas collision, including what you should document at the scene and what evidence may be available after you leave.
Step 5: Get Contact Information from Witnesses
If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their name and phone number.
An independent witness may be able to provide valuable information about what happened, particularly when the drivers have conflicting accounts.
Don't assume someone else will get their information for you. Once the vehicles leave the scene, tracking down an eyewitness can become considerably more difficult.
Step 6: Seek Medical Attention
One of the most important things you can do after a Dallas car accident is take care of your health.
Some injuries are obvious immediately. Others may take hours or even days to become noticeable. Adrenaline and shock following a collision can also make it difficult to accurately assess how you feel.
If you are experiencing pain, dizziness, headaches, numbness, limited mobility, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Even if you feel relatively normal, consider discussing the accident with a medical professional.
Keep copies of your medical records, bills, prescriptions, and other documentation related to treatment.
Why Should You See a Doctor After a Dallas Car Accident?
Medical treatment isn't just about documenting an injury for a potential legal claim. Your health should come first.
However, medical records can also become important evidence if you later seek compensation for your injuries.
The timing of medical treatment, the documentation of your symptoms, and following your doctor's recommendations can all become relevant when an insurance company evaluates an injury claim.
[INTERNAL LINK — Why You Should See a Doctor After a Dallas Car Accident?]
Our upcoming article explains why seeking medical attention after a Dallas car accident can be important, even when you initially feel okay.
Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company
You should generally notify your own insurance company about the accident and provide the information required under your policy.
But remember: reporting an accident is not the same thing as giving up your rights.
Be truthful and provide the information requested, but be cautious about making assumptions regarding your injuries, the value of your claim, or who was responsible.
If another driver's insurance company contacts you, you do not necessarily have to provide an extensive recorded statement or agree to a settlement before you understand the full extent of your situation.
Step 8: Be Careful with Insurance Adjusters
After an accident, you may receive calls from insurance adjusters asking questions about what happened.
It is reasonable to expect an insurance company to investigate the claim. But you should remember that the adjuster's job is to evaluate the claim on behalf of the insurance company.
Avoid guessing about facts you don't know. Don't minimize your injuries. And don't speculate about how much your injuries or other losses will ultimately cost.
Most importantly, don't feel pressured to accept a settlement simply because an insurance company makes an offer.
How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Car Accident Settlements?
The value of a car accident claim can depend on many factors, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, the nature and severity of injuries, and other legally recoverable damages.
The amount an insurance company initially offers is not necessarily the same as the full value of your claim.
Understanding how insurers evaluate claims can help you recognize why settlement offers may vary from one accident to another.
[INTERNAL LINK — How Insurance Companies Calculate Car Accident Settlements]
Our upcoming guide takes a deeper look at the factors insurance companies may consider when evaluating a car accident claim and why the first settlement offer isn't necessarily the final word.
Step 9: Keep Records of Everything
Create a folder, physical or digital, for everything related to the accident.
Keep:
Police reports
Medical records
Medical bills
Prescription receipts
Insurance correspondence
Emails and text messages
Photos and videos
Repair estimates
Receipts for accident-related expenses
Documentation of missed work
Notes about your symptoms and recovery
Also consider keeping a simple journal documenting how your injuries affect your daily life.
For example, if an injury prevents you from exercising, caring for your children, sleeping comfortably, or performing normal household tasks, documenting those limitations can help preserve an accurate record of what you experienced.
Step 10: Don't Post About the Accident on Social Media
It can be tempting to post about a crash, especially when it was frightening or frustrating.
Think twice.
Photos, comments, videos, or other social-media activity could potentially become relevant to an insurance claim or lawsuit. Even an innocent-looking post can be taken out of context.
A good rule is simple: don't discuss the details of your accident or injuries publicly online.
Step 11: Don't Assume a Quick Settlement Is a Good Settlement
After a collision, receiving an offer from an insurance company can feel like a relief.
You have bills. Your car needs repairs. You may have missed work. You want the situation to be over.
But settling a claim generally means resolving your right to pursue additional compensation for the claims covered by the settlement. That makes it important to understand what you may be giving up before signing anything.
This is particularly important when you are still receiving medical treatment or don't yet know the full extent of your injuries.
For more information about how settlement values are determined:
[INTERNAL LINK — How Insurance Companies Calculate Car Accident Settlements]
Step 12: Understand Your Time Limits
Texas generally provides a two-year limitations period for personal injury claims, meaning a lawsuit generally must be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues. Texas law contains exceptions, however, and the deadline can depend on the specific circumstances of a case.
Don't treat the two-year period as a reason to wait.
Evidence can disappear. Witnesses can become difficult to locate. Memories fade. Surveillance footage may not be preserved indefinitely. And insurance claims can become more complicated as time passes.
If you believe another person caused your injuries, it can be worthwhile to discuss your situation with a Texas personal injury attorney sooner rather than later.
What If the Other Driver Was at Fault?
Texas uses a modified comparative responsibility system. In other words, determining whether you can recover compensation, and how much, can depend on the percentage of responsibility assigned to each party.
That's one reason establishing what actually happened matters.
The question isn't always simply:
"Who got the ticket?"
A thorough investigation may involve examining photographs, witness statements, police reports, vehicle damage, medical records, traffic-camera or surveillance footage, and other available evidence.
[INTERNAL LINK — What Evidence Can Prove Who Caused a Car Accident in Texas?]
Understanding what evidence can establish fault is especially important when the other driver disputes your version of events.
What If the Other Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?
Unfortunately, being involved in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver can create another layer of complications.
Your own insurance coverage may become particularly important depending on the circumstances and policy involved. Texas drivers may have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, subject to the terms of their policy and applicable law.
If you've been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, don't assume you have no options.
When Should You Talk to a Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer?
Not every car accident requires an attorney.
But you may want to consider speaking with one if:
You suffered significant or ongoing injuries.
You expect substantial medical treatment.
You missed work or lost income.
The other driver disputes responsibility.
The insurance company disputes your claim.
The insurance company offers a settlement you don't believe reflects your losses.
Multiple vehicles were involved.
The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
You were involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
Your injuries could affect your ability to work in the future.
A loved one died as a result of the accident.
A lawyer can evaluate the circumstances, explain your options, and help determine what steps may be appropriate.
The Bottom Line: What Should You Do After a Dallas Car Accident?
If you've been involved in a car accident, remember these basic steps:
Get to safety.
Check for injuries and call 911 when necessary.
Contact law enforcement when appropriate.
Exchange information with the other driver.
Photograph and document the scene.
Get contact information from witnesses.
Seek medical attention.
Notify your insurance company.
Be careful about what you say to insurance adjusters.
Keep detailed records.
Avoid posting about the accident on social media.
Don't rush into a settlement.
Be aware of Texas filing deadlines.
Consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney if you've been seriously injured.
A car accident can leave you facing far more than a damaged vehicle. Medical bills, lost income, pain, and uncertainty about your future can all add to the burden.
If another driver's negligence caused your injuries, understanding your rights early can help you make informed decisions about what comes next.
The J. Bock Firm represents individuals injured in serious accidents in Dallas and throughout North Texas. If you've been injured in a car accident, contact The J. Bock Firm to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.
Related Resources
[INTERNAL LINK — What Evidence Can Prove Who Caused a Car Accident in Texas?]
[INTERNAL LINK — Why You Should See a Doctor After a Dallas Car Accident?]
[INTERNAL LINK — How Insurance Companies Calculate Car Accident Settlements]