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Cars are wrecked, traffic is going by and you have a lot of questions to answer. Maybe you’re ok and the other driver wants to know what happened.
Here is what to do after a car crash.
Remember to save lives, call for help, gather information, and think of your next step. These steps should be taken after a car accident.
Here is what you should do after an auto accident.
Inside this guide:
- First 5 Minutes: Stop, Check and Get Safe
- The Next 10 Minutes: Get the Right Help
- Minutes 15 to 30: Collect the Details That Disappear
- Minutes 30 to 45: Write Down What You Remember
- Final 15 Minutes: Plan Your Next Move
- What If You Can’t Finish Everything in an Hour?
The First 5 Minutes
Pull over to the scene of the accident if you can do so safely. Check for oncoming traffic, smoke, gas leaks, downed power lines, etc. Don’t walk into a lane of traffic to check if the bumper is bent.
See if you or your passengers are hurt. Check if the other driver is injured, but only approach if it’s safe to do so. If anyone is unconscious or injured, call 911 and listen to what they tell you to do. Don’t move the injured person unless they are in danger of being hurt some more.
What about the cars?
All parties involved in a minor car accident should pull their vehicle out of traffic if it can be driven safely in Texas. On metropolitan freeways, Texas law requires drivers to move vehicles that can normally and safely be driven to a suitable location out of the traffic flow. Maybe there is a parking lot nearby or a frontage road that you could use instead of pulling onto the small shoulder.
Do not drive if there is a bad leak, steering problems or no working tire. If you can’t pull your vehicle to safety, stay out of traffic and let the people you call know what is going on.
The Next 10 Minutes
Call 911 if anyone is injured, a vehicle is on fire, traffic is dangerously blocked or there is another emergency. Texas requires immediate notice to the appropriate authority when a crash causes injury, death or damage that prevents a vehicle from being normally and safely driven. If there is no emergency, call your local police department and ask what to do. If the driver fled or is under the influence of something, inform the police.
Let the operator know your location, street, closest highway exit, direction you were traveling or a reference point.
When the police arrive, tell them what you saw and what you have done so far. Let them know if you don’t know something. Write down the name of the police officer or their badge number. Ask them how to obtain a copy of the police report. This can take some time.
It’s best to not worry about legal questions at this time. Everyone’s safety comes first. If you are injured or the driver will not admit to what happened, freeseandgoss.com/practice-areas/dallas-car-accident-lawyer/ will tell you more about why you should speak to a car accident lawyer and what you may be able to recover in your injury claim.
Minutes 15 – 30
After you are safe, you want to make sure you get all of this information from the other driver. Drivers involved in a car accident are required to give their name, address, car registration number and name of their insurance company. They are also required to show you their license if they have one on them.
Try and get the following information.
- Name, phone number, and address.
- Drivers license, vehicle information.
- Insurance company, policy number.
- Information about the car, make, model, year, color, any noticeable damage, etc.
- If there are any witnesses, try and get their name, phone number, address, and statement if they are willing to help.
If it’s safe and you think it’s appropriate, take pictures of their insurance card, license plate, and so on. Make sure you give them your information as well. If they are not being helpful, don’t argue with them. Inform the police when they arrive what happened.
Take pictures of the scene. Try to get out of traffic and capture wide shots of the road, where the cars stopped, and close-ups of the damage, broken lights, pieces of debris, etc.
Take pictures of any stoplights, street signs, traffic lanes, road conditions, etc. Take pictures of any injuries, if it’s appropriate and with permission.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 244,534 people were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in Texas in 2025. So even if it seems like a fender bender, remember to take it seriously.
Minutes 30 – 45
Use your phone to take pictures, or make a voice note of what you can remember. There is a good chance you will forget some of these things by the next morning.
Time, location, which direction you were driving, weather, anything you saw before the car accident. Stick to the facts; for instance, if you had the green light and went through the intersection, say that instead of assuming they were speeding.
Where the vehicles ended up, if there were any airbags deployed, any cameras that may have caught it.
Don’t argue about fault or post about your accident on social media. You can act nice, but you don’t need to assume how fast they were going, what injuries they have, or who’s at fault.
If you are feeling upset, hurt, etc., have someone help you with this process. Always get medical attention before you worry about evidence.
Last 15 Minutes
Make sure you are okay to drive your car before you leave the scene of the accident. If you feel dizzy or shaken up, you probably shouldn’t drive. Call your roadside service, or have your car towed. Know where your car will be towed and save any paperwork, receipts, and information they give you.
Once you leave, call your insurance company as soon as possible and follow the steps your policy requires. Provide basic information about the accident, if a police report was filed, and what they may need from you. Tell your insurer the facts you know, but avoid guessing about medical diagnoses or accepting a settlement while you are still at the scene.
Pay attention to how you feel; if you are hurt, dizzy, confused, or have a headache, take it seriously. These could be signs of a concussion, which can show up hours or even days after the accident. Call 911 or go to an emergency department for danger signs such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, weakness, severe confusion or difficulty staying awake. Seek prompt medical advice about other symptoms.
Save all your doctor’s instructions, bills, tow truck information, and pictures somewhere you can easily find them. It will come in handy when talking to your insurance company, mechanic, and/or car accident lawyer.
What If You Can’t Get All Of This Done In An Hour?
That’s ok; if the police are taking longer to get there, or you have to go to the hospital, that’s fine. Use this as a guideline, and if you can, gather as much information as you can. If you must leave for emergency medical care, let responding personnel know when possible and ask someone you trust to preserve what they safely can. Otherwise, complete your required duties at the scene before leaving.
Just remember, in a minor accident, try and get this information while everyone is still around.
One Final Tip
There are a lot of things you will have to deal with in the days after a car accident, so just try to do your best for that first hour and everything else can fall into place after that.
