What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
I’m Dr. Adam Savage, and if you’ve just been in a car accident in Texas, here’s what you need to know right away:
5 immediate steps after a Texas car accident:
- Move to safety – If no one is injured, move vehicles out of traffic
- Call 911 – Required if there’s injury, death, or damage over $1,000
- Exchange information – Driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle details
- Document everything – Photos of damage, plates, road conditions, and witnesses
- Notify your insurance – Report the accident even if the other driver is at fault
Texas roads are among the busiest – and most dangerous – in the country. In Austin alone, 31 fatal crashes had already been recorded by mid-May 2026. That’s a sobering number, and it doesn’t count the thousands of non-fatal crashes happening across the state every week.
The aftermath of a crash is overwhelming. You may be dealing with pain you didn’t feel at first, insurance calls you don’t understand, medical bills piling up, and no clear roadmap for what comes next.
This guide cuts through the confusion. Whether you need to file a crash report, navigate an insurance claim, or find the right medical care – we’ve got you covered.
Legal Requirements and Reporting a Car Accident in Texas
When you are involved in a car accident in Texas, the law is very specific about your responsibilities. Under the Texas Transportation Code, you are legally required to report a crash if it results in injury, death, or property damage that appears to be $1,000 or more. While it might be tempting to just “trade numbers” and go home, failing to report an accident can lead to legal headaches later.
Law enforcement officers are generally required to submit a crash report within 10 days of the incident. These reports are vital for insurance claims and legal protection. We see this play out frequently on our major highways; for instance, a recent 3 tractor-trailers crash on I-35 near Exit 12B required extensive documentation by police to sort out the complex liability involved.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) serves as the official custodian of these records. They retain crash reports for the previous 10 full calendar years plus the current calendar year. It is important to note that since 2019, TxDOT no longer retains the CR-2 “Blue Form” (the driver-filed report); they only maintain the official Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3).
How to Obtain Your Texas Crash Report (CR-3)
Getting your hands on an official report is one of the first things we recommend doing. You can access these through the Crash Report Online Purchase System. However, because these records are confidential, you must be an eligible party to request one—this includes those involved in the accident, their legal representatives, or authorized insurance companies.
| Report Type | Cost | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Copy | $6 | Personal records and insurance claims |
| Certified Copy | $8 | Legal proceedings and court evidence |
Processing times for these reports can vary. While online purchases are often immediate, more complex requests like subpoenas can take 20 business days for federal or state agencies to process.
Mandatory Information Exchange After a Car Accident in Texas
Even if the police are on the scene, you should perform your own information exchange. Don’t rely solely on the officer to get everything right. You need to collect:
- Full names and contact information for all drivers.
- Driver’s license numbers.
- Insurance company names and policy numbers.
- Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and license plate numbers.
- Contact information for any witnesses who saw the car accident in Texas.
Current Statistics and Trends: Fatalities in Austin and Beyond
The data for May 2026 shows that Texas roads remain a significant challenge for public safety. In Austin, the city recorded 31 fatal crashes resulting in 31 deaths as of May 19, 2026. While this is a slight decrease from the 34 fatal crashes and 38 deaths recorded by the same date in 2025, the severity of these incidents remains high.
High-speed corridors like US 183 and Research Boulevard are frequent sites of tragedy. For example, a 19-year-old dead after sports car strikes semi-truck on US 183 highlights the extreme danger of collisions involving passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks. Similarly, the Austin Police Department recently investigated a Traffic Fatality in the 11400 block of Research Boulevard NB, which further underscores the risks in Northwest Austin.
The danger isn’t limited to the cities. Rural and highway crashes often involve high speeds and wrong-way drivers. A devastating incident where Ron Dykes and 3 Others Dead in Vehicle Crash on US 281 serves as a reminder that head-on collisions, often caused by vehicles crossing the median, are among the most lethal types of accidents in the state.
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Health and Insurance Claim
Once the dust settles, your focus must shift to protection—both of your physical health and your financial future. Many people make the mistake of thinking that if they aren’t bleeding, they aren’t “injured.” In reality, the adrenaline of a car accident in Texas can mask serious internal or soft-tissue injuries for hours or even days.
We always advise patients to prioritize a medical evaluation. Understanding After the Bump: Navigating the Immediate Aftermath of a Car Crash is the first step toward a full recovery. Even if you feel “fine,” a Post-Crash Check-Up: Why Every Car Accident Deserves a Medical Evaluation can identify issues like whiplash or concussions before they become chronic problems.
Navigating Insurance After a Car Accident in Texas
Texas is an “at-fault” state, meaning the person responsible for the accident is responsible for the damages. However, things get complicated quickly if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: This is vital in Texas. It covers your repairs, medical bills, and even pain and suffering if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance.
- Body Shop Choice: Many people don’t realize that in Texas, you have the legal right to choose any repair shop you want. You are not forced to use the one the insurance company suggests.
- Total Loss: If the cost to repair your car exceeds its value, the insurance company will declare it a total loss.
Knowing How to Win Your Injury Claim Process involves meticulous documentation of every expense and symptom. When it comes to compensation, understanding The Bottom Line: Average Settlement Amounts for Back and Neck Injuries After a Car Crash can help you set realistic expectations for your recovery journey.
Medical Recovery and Long-Term Support for Victims
Recovery is rarely a straight line. It often involves a combination of physical therapy, pain management, and diagnostic monitoring. We focus on creating a Your Recovery Roadmap: Understanding Medical Treatment After a Car Accident that addresses the root cause of your pain rather than just masking the symptoms.
One of the most confusing aspects of a crash is the “delayed onset” of pain. You might wonder Why You Might Feel Fine Today But Hurt Tomorrow. This is often due to inflammation building up around the spine or joints. For vulnerable road users, such as in the case of a Motorcyclist Killed in Crash on Pacific Drive [Richardson, TX], the lack of protection often leads to catastrophic injuries that require specialized, long-term care.
Seeking Specialized Care Following a Car Accident in Texas
At CrashMD, we specialize in documenting these injuries specifically for legal and insurance purposes. Standard ER visits often miss the subtle soft-tissue damage that causes long-term disability. Don’t Delay: Finding Medical Care After Your Car Accident because the sooner an injury is documented, the stronger your claim will be.
Whether it’s Beyond the Bump: Decoding Your Post-Accident Back, Neck, and Knee Pain or coordinating with specialists for imaging, our goal is to ensure that your medical record reflects the true extent of your injuries. We advocate for you so that you can focus entirely on getting back to your normal life.
Frequently Asked Questions about Texas Car Accidents
When is a police report legally required in Texas?
In Texas, you must report an accident to the police if there is any injury (no matter how minor it seems), a fatality, or if the damage to vehicles or property appears to be $1,000 or more. If an officer does not come to the scene, you should still file a report with the local police or sheriff’s department.
How long does TxDOT keep records of car accidents?
TxDOT retains official crash records for 10 years plus the current calendar year. If you need a report from an accident that happened 12 years ago, it is likely no longer available in the state’s central database.
Can I choose my own repair shop after a Texas accident?
Yes! Texas law allows you to take your vehicle to any body shop you choose. Insurance companies may recommend “preferred” shops, but the final decision is entirely yours.
Conclusion
A car accident in Texas can change your life in a heartbeat, but it doesn’t have to define your future. By following the legal reporting requirements, securing your crash report, and seeking specialized medical care, you put yourself in the best position to recover both physically and financially.
At CrashMD, we are more than just healthcare providers; we are your advocates. We help accident victims document injuries, manage pain, and build a clear recovery plan before legal action moves forward. If you’re struggling with the aftermath of a wreck, don’t navigate it alone. Learn more about CrashMD’s post-accident care services in Texas and take the first step toward recovery today.