WhattoDoAfteraCarAccidentinHouston

Houston sees hundreds of car accidents every day. If you're involved in one, the actions you take immediately afterward will directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Insurance companies assign adjusters within hours — and their job is to minimize your claim before you've even had a chance to think clearly.

1. Stop and Stay at the Scene

Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Texas, even if the collision seems minor. Stay calm, pull your vehicle to a safe location if possible, and turn on your hazard lights. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately.

2. Call the Police

Always request a police report, even for minor accidents. An official report creates a contemporaneous record of what happened and who was involved. Insurance companies take police reports seriously — without one, a dispute over fault becomes your word against theirs.

3. Document Everything at the Scene

Use your phone to photograph everything: the position of both vehicles, damage to each car, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Take photos from multiple angles and record a short video walking around the scene while narrating what you observe.

• Photograph all vehicle damage — yours and theirs
• Capture street signs, traffic controls, and road markings
• Get photos of any visible injuries before they're cleaned up
• Collect contact information from all witnesses
• Record the other driver's name, license plate, insurance carrier, and policy number

4. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you feel fine, see a doctor within 24 hours. Adrenaline masks pain — injuries like whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries often don't present symptoms for days. A gap in medical treatment gives insurance adjusters ammunition to argue your injuries weren't serious or weren't caused by the accident.

5. Do Not Speak to the Other Driver's Insurance

Once you've reported the accident to your own insurer, do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without legal counsel. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that elicit responses that can be used against you later. Anything you say can — and will — be used to minimize your settlement.

6. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

The sooner you retain an attorney, the better. Evidence disappears quickly, witnesses' memories fade, and surveillance footage gets overwritten within days. An attorney can preserve critical evidence, communicate with insurers on your behalf, and ensure you don't accept a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries and losses.