Most drivers don’t think about what happens right after a crash until they’re the one standing on the shoulder of the road, hazards blinking, heart still racing. Texas sees hundreds of thousands of car accidents every year, and how you handle the first 24 hours can shape everything that comes after — your safety, your claim, and your peace of mind.
Here’s a clear, practical rundown of what to do in the first 24 hours after a car accident in Texas.
Check for Injuries and Get to Safety First
Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If you’re able to move safely and the vehicles are drivable, get them out of traffic lanes onto the shoulder or a nearby parking lot — Texas law actually encourages this when the accident is minor and no one is seriously hurt, since it keeps everyone safer than standing in live traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and, if you have them, set out reflective triangles or flares, especially at night.
If anyone is injured, or if the vehicles are blocking traffic and can’t be moved, stay put and call 911.
Call the Police and Get a Report
In Texas, you’re required to report a crash to police if it involves injury, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage — which covers the vast majority of accidents. Even for a minor fender bender, it’s worth calling. A police report creates an official, timestamped account of what happened, which becomes valuable if the other driver’s story changes later or your insurer needs documentation to process a claim.
While you wait, avoid discussing fault with the other driver. A simple “are you okay?” is fine — anything more can complicate things later, even if you’re just being polite.
Exchange Information and Document the Scene
Once everyone is safe, exchange the essentials with the other driver: name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, and license plate. If there were witnesses, grab their contact information too — a neutral third party’s account can be surprisingly useful if the details of the crash get disputed.
Use your phone to take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the surrounding area, any road conditions that played a role, and the accident location itself. The more documentation you have, the easier it is for your agent and your insurance company to understand what happened without you having to reconstruct it from memory a week later.
Get Checked Out, Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline is good at masking pain. Some injuries, like whiplash or soft tissue damage, don’t show symptoms until a day or two after the crash. It’s worth getting checked by a doctor within the first 24 hours, both for your own health and because medical records created close to the accident date carry more weight if you need to file a claim later.
Contact Your Insurance Agent
This is the step people put off the longest, usually because they’re not sure what to say or they’re dreading the process. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Call your agent as soon as you reasonably can — ideally the same day — and walk them through what happened. They’ll tell you what your policy covers, what documentation to gather, and what the claims timeline looks like from here.
This is where working with an independent agency makes a real difference. As an independent agency, Integrity Insurance Professionals isn’t limited to one carrier’s process or one set of rules — we work across multiple carrier partnerships, so we can help you understand your specific policy and advocate for you through the claims process, rather than just pointing you to a call center.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas law requires drivers to carry insurance that pays for accidents they cause, and coverage details can vary significantly depending on your policy. That’s exactly why a quick call to your agent matters — they can translate what your specific policy actually means for your situation, rather than leaving you to guess.
What to Watch for in the Days After
Keep an eye on your mail and email for correspondence from insurance companies, whether it’s yours or the other driver’s. Don’t sign anything or accept a settlement offer without talking to your agent first — early offers aren’t always in your best interest, especially if injuries are still being evaluated. Keep copies of every document tied to the accident: the police report, medical records, repair estimates, and any correspondence, in one place so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
A car accident is stressful enough without also trying to figure out insurance details on your own. Knowing the right first 24 hours can make the days that follow far more manageable — and having an agent who already understands your coverage makes all the difference.
If you’re not sure what your current auto policy covers, now is a good time to find out, before you ever need it. Get a free quote today or talk to one of our agents — we’ll walk through your options together and make sure you have the right coverage at the right value.
