Car Accident in Houston? What to Do Next, Step by Step
If you just had a car accident in Houston, start here: breathe. Feeling shaken, sore or confused is normal, especially if it's your first accident. This guide walks you through what usually happens next in Houston and across Harris County, in plain language.
Houston's freeways (I-10, I-45, I-69/US-59, the 610 Loop and Beltway 8) carry cars, 18-wheelers, delivery vans, buses and rideshare drivers all day. A few Texas rules and local Houston resources make the first hours easier when you know them ahead of time.
This is general information, not legal or medical advice. Accident Advocate Network is not a law firm.
At the scene: the first steps
Check on everyone. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.
On a freeway with no injuries? Move out of the main lanes. Texas law says that when a crash happens on a metro-area freeway and every vehicle can be normally and safely driven, drivers should move to a frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street or another safe spot to exchange information (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.022(b)). If someone is hurt, stay where you are and call 911.
Exchange information. Texas drivers involved in a crash must share their name, address, vehicle registration number and liability insurance company, and show a driver's license if asked (§ 550.023).
Notify the police when required. If someone is injured, or a vehicle can't be normally and safely driven, Texas law requires notice to police right away: inside Houston city limits that's the Houston Police Department; outside a city, the county sheriff or the nearest Texas Department of Public Safety office (§ 550.026).
Take photos of both vehicles, license plates, the street or freeway exit, traffic signs, skid marks and the weather.
Get witness names and phone numbers. People leave fast on a busy Houston road.
Ask the officer for the report or incident number before you leave.
If a truck, delivery van, bus or rideshare car was involved
Commercial vehicle accidents are different because more than one company and more than one insurance policy may be involved. A few extra details help:
Write down any company name and the numbers painted on the truck's or van's doors.
For Uber or Lyft rides, screenshot the trip details in the app before they're hard to find. See our rideshare accident guide.
On a METRO or school bus, note the bus number, route and stop. If a government agency runs the vehicle, Texas law lets it require notice of a claim within six months, and some city charters set shorter deadlines (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101).
Hit by a company vehicle? Read our delivery van and company vehicle guide.
How to get your Houston police crash report
According to the Houston Police Department's public information page, accident reports usually take 5 to 8 days to become available. You'll need at least two of these: the date, the location, the drivers' names, or the incident number.
Online: through the Texas Department of Transportation's crash report system. Our CR-3 crash report guide walks through it.
By mail: a $6 check or money order payable to the City of Houston, a self-addressed stamped envelope and the H.B. 2633 form, sent to HPD Records Division, 1200 Travis, Houston, TX 77002.
In person: 1200 Travis St., first floor. HPD Records: 713-308-8500, option 3.
If the crash happened outside Houston city limits, the report may come from the Harris County Sheriff's Office, a suburban police department or DPS instead.
Stalled on a Houston freeway?
The City of Houston's Tow and Go program gives stalled vehicles a free tow to a nearby safe spot off the freeway. It doesn't cover tollways, the Katy Freeway HOT lanes or vehicles left unattended. Call 713-881-3333. A tow to your home or another location costs extra. After a crash, follow the officer's direction on towing.
The next few days
Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can hide pain for hours or days.
Start an accident folder: the report number, photos, ER and doctor papers, bills, receipts, insurance letters and notes about missed work.
Insurance calls: you can be polite and keep it short. Many people wait to give a recorded statement or sign anything until they understand their options.
Stay off social media about the accident and your injuries.
Know that deadlines exist. In Texas, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years, with exceptions (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Claims involving government vehicles can have much shorter notice deadlines.
Want the full timeline? Read your first 72 hours after a car accident in Texas. Walking when you were hit? See our pedestrian guide.
Questions people ask
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Houston?
If anyone is hurt, or a car can't be normally and safely driven, Texas law requires notifying police right away. Even after a smaller crash, many people still call so there is an official record.
How long does it take to get an HPD accident report?
HPD says reports usually take 5 to 8 days to process before they can be requested.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
That's your choice. It often helps to understand how the process usually works first. We can walk you through it for free.
Is Accident Advocate Network a law firm?
No. We're a Houston-based team that gives free general guidance, helps you stay organized and, if you want a lawyer, can set up a free case evaluation or share a list of independent Texas personal injury attorneys. You choose.
Talk to us first. It's free.
Just had an accident in Houston and don't know what to do? You don't have to figure it out alone. Fill out our short form or call 945-266-2321. You may have options, and we'll explain how it usually works.
Related guides
Sources: Texas Transportation Code §§ 550.022, 550.023, 550.026; Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §§ 16.003, 101.101; City of Houston (HPD public information, Tow and Go). Checked November 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Accident Advocate Network is not a law firm, does not provide legal services and does not guarantee any outcome. If you choose to speak with an attorney, the attorney is independent and you choose who to work with.
Comments