After a Car Accident in Texas: Your First 72 Hours, Step by Step

The first few days after a wreck are a blur. Your phone keeps ringing, your car may be gone, and you are not sure what matters. This checklist breaks those days into small steps, so you only have to think about the next one.

At the scene

1. Get safe. If you can, move out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.

2. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if vehicles are blocking the road.

3. Take photos. Get both vehicles from several angles, license plates, the other driver's license and insurance card, road conditions and any visible injuries.

4. Swap information. Get the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company and policy number.

5. Get the officer's name and the report number, if police respond. You will need it to request the crash report later.

6. Ask witnesses for a phone number. One sentence from someone who saw it can matter later.

Day 1

• Pay attention to how you feel. Adrenaline can hide pain for hours or days. If something hurts, get checked by a doctor or urgent care.

• Report the accident to your insurance company. Stick to the facts you know.

• Start your accident folder. A real folder or a phone album is fine. Save every photo, receipt and piece of paper from now on.

Days 2 and 3

• Look for your crash report. In Texas, police crash reports are usually available online from TxDOT for $6. It can take a few days to appear. Our step-by-step guide explains how to request it.

• Write down what happened while it is fresh: time, weather, what you saw, what was said.

• Log every insurance call: the date, the person's name and what they told you.

• Keep your posts private. Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.

• Get answers before you sign anything. If you are unsure about a form or an offer, ask questions first. If you want a lawyer's opinion, many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations.

You don't have to figure this out alone

Accident Advocate Network offers free guidance to accident victims across Texas. We help you understand general next steps and stay organized. If you decide you want an attorney, we give you a list of Texas personal injury lawyers to choose from. You choose; we never choose for you.

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Accident Advocate Network is not a law firm and does not provide legal or medical advice. This article is general information only.