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At the scene
Check for injuries. Call 911.
Safety first. If anyone is hurt, get medical help immediately.
Move to a safe place if you can.
If the vehicles are drivable and it's safe, move to the shoulder. If not, stay put and turn on your hazards.
Call the police and get the report number.
Ask for the report number before the officer leaves. In Texas, you must report accidents with injuries or damage above a certain threshold. [LEGAL REVIEW: when reporting is required]
Exchange information — name, phone, insurance, plate.
Do not discuss who was at fault. Just exchange details.
Photos: vehicles, plates, street, signs, damage, injuries.
Take more than you think you need. You can't take them later.
Witness names and phone numbers.
Witnesses leave quickly. Get their contact info now.
Do NOT admit fault — not even 'I'm sorry'.
Admissions can be used against you. [LEGAL REVIEW]
That same day
Go to the doctor even if you feel fine.
Neck, back, and head injuries appear days later. A delay in medical care is the first thing the insurer uses against you.
Notify your own insurance company.
You have a duty to report. Stick to the facts — do not speculate about fault.
Write down everything you remember while it's fresh.
Time, weather, what the other driver said, the direction of travel. Memory fades fast.
The days following
Save everything: bills, prescriptions, medical notes, lost work days.
Organize a folder — physical or digital. Every receipt matters.
Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other insurer.
The adjuster's job is to reduce what the company pays. [LEGAL REVIEW]
Do NOT sign broad medical authorizations.
A broad authorization lets the insurer dig through unrelated medical history. [LEGAL REVIEW]
Do NOT accept the first offer before finishing treatment.
The first offer arrives before the full extent of injuries is known. Signing closes the case forever — even if you later need surgery.
Be careful with social media.
A photo of you smiling at a family event can be used to argue you are not injured. Set your profiles to private and do not post about the accident.
What runs against the clock
Save this guide to your phone
A one-page PDF version of these steps, in English and Spanish, to keep in your glovebox. [CONFIRM: PDF download link]
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