Free Consultation
Call (210) 600-0000 Today!
No matter how careful you are on the road, car accidents are an almost unavoidable part of driving. After an accident, it can be difficult to know what you should do first, and that’s why your San Antonio car accident attorney has put together a guide so that you can know ahead of time the steps that you need to take.
The first and most important priority after any car accident is ensuring the safety of everyone involved. If anyone is seriously injured or unresponsive, call 911 straight away to get emergency medical assistance.
Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If any injuries seem serious, do not move the injured person, as this may make things worse. Unless someone is in imminent danger (such as if the car is on fire), it is always better to leave someone where they are and wait for emergency services to come to them to administer help. If it is safe, you can check on the driver and passengers of the other vehicle.
Once you’ve checked for injuries, move to a safer location if it’s possible to do so without causing further harm. Texas law requires drivers involved in an accident to stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as possible without obstructing traffic. You should activate your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the accident.
If the vehicles are drivable and there are no serious injuries, move them to the shoulder or a nearby safe area. This helps prevent further accidents and keeps traffic flowing. However, if the vehicles cannot be moved or if someone is seriously injured, leave the cars where they are and wait for the authorities.
In Texas, you are legally required to report an accident to the police if the accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. This applies regardless of whether another vehicle is involved. Most accidents meet this threshold, so it’s a good idea to call the police after any accident that you are involved in. It’s usually not wise to allow the other driver to talk you into accepting some money or just letting it go, as even a seemingly minor fender-bender can cost well more than $1,000 to fix.
When you call the police, provide your location and inform them about the severity of the accident, any injuries, and whether the vehicles are blocking traffic. When the police arrive at the scene, they will assess the situation and then file an official accident report. You will need this report for insurance claims and possibly for a lawsuit if that becomes necessary.
Drivers involved in an accident are required by law to exchange certain information for both insurance claims and legal purposes. You should exchange the following details with the other driver(s):
It’s important to remain calm and polite during this exchange, even if you are feeling emotional or agitated. Avoid discussing who was at fault for the accident, as fault determination is a matter for the insurance companies and possibly the courts. Anything you say at this time may be used in evidence, so try to say as little as possible to the other driver. If the other driver seems violent or you feel unsafe, pause this step until the police arrive.
It can be exceptionally helpful to have documentation of the accident scene for insurance claims and any potential legal disputes. If it’s safe, gather as much evidence as possible before you leave the scene.
Take pictures of all vehicles involved, showing the damage from different angles. Include photos of the surrounding area, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and anything else that you think is relevant. Photographs can serve as evidence to support your claim and also help experts to recreate the accident’s circumstances, if necessary.
If there were witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information. Witness statements can provide an unbiased account of what happened, and you can give this information to the police officer when they arrive on the scene so that it is included in the report. Be sure to give these names to your lawyer, too.
Write down your own version of events while the details are fresh in your mind. You can do this on your phone or on paper. Include information like the time and location of the accident, weather conditions, and any contributing factors like speeding or distracted driving by any party involved. Try to make the account as actually accurate as possible and refrain from emotional language or speculation.
In Texas, if the police don’t come to the scene of the accident (which may be the case if the accident is a minor one), or if the accident resulted in injury, death, or significant property damage, you are legally required to file a Driver’s Crash Report (CR-2) with the Texas Department of Transportation. This report must be submitted within 10 days of the accident. If you do not file this report, it could lead to complications, especially if the other party later files a claim or lawsuit.
After the accident, you should notify your insurance company as soon as possible, even if you were not at fault. Even though the driver responsible for the accident is liable for the damages, most insurance policies require prompt notification of accidents.
Provide your insurance company with all the necessary information about the accident, including the police report number, the other driver’s contact and insurance details, and any photos or documentation you collected at the scene. Your insurer will guide you through the claims process and investigate who was at fault.
You may feel perfectly fine, but it’s still a good idea to go get medical attention. Seeing a doctor ensures your health and safety, of course, but it also establishes a medical record that can be important for any insurance claims or legal actions. Delaying treatment can make it harder to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident.
One of our experienced lawyers can help you to understand your legal situation, find any evidence you’ll need to prove your claim and help you when negotiating with insurance companies to make sure that you get a fair settlement. If you have to go to court, they will represent you and fight to get you the compensation that you deserve.
A car accident can leave you shaken up, but now you know what to do. The actions you need to take after an accident are straightforward and clear. Being prepared and acting swiftly can help reduce the stress of the situation and ensure that you are in the best possible position going forward.
To find out more, get in touch with us at Marco Bass Injury and Accident Lawyers in San Antonio, TX.
Fields Marked With An “*” Are Required
"*" indicates required fields
Phone: (210) 600-0000
Marco Bass is available 24/7!
© 2026 Marco Bass Injury and Accident Lawyers. All rights reserved.
