7 Steps: What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?

After a car accident in Houston, you should call 911, seek medical attention immediately, photograph the scene, collect witness information, and contact a personal injury attorney before speaking to any insurance company. The steps you take in the first 24 to 72 hours after a crash directly determine how strong your legal claim will be — and how much compensation you can recover.

If you were injured in a Houston car accident, WestLoop Law offers a free case review. Call 346-215-0788 or contact us online.

Step One — Stay at the Scene and Call 911

Texas Transportation Code §550.021 requires any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage to remain at the scene. Leaving before police arrive is a criminal offense in Texas — and it destroys your credibility in any subsequent legal claim.

When you call 911:

• Request police and emergency medical services even if injuries seem minor
• Wait for the responding officer to complete an official accident report
• Get the report number before you leave — you will need it for your insurance claim and your attorney

Do not move your vehicle unless it is creating an immediate safety hazard. The position of vehicles after a crash is physical evidence of how the collision occurred.

Step Two — Seek Medical Attention Immediately

This is the single most important step most Houston accident victims get wrong.

Adrenaline masks pain. Traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, spinal damage, and soft tissue injuries frequently produce no immediate symptoms — and then become serious within 24 to 72 hours. By the time you feel it, the damage is already done.

From a legal standpoint, a gap in medical care is the first thing an insurance adjuster will use against you. If you did not go to a doctor immediately, the insurer will argue your injuries were not caused by the accident — or were not serious enough to justify your claimed damages.

Go to the emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or your primary care physician the same day. Even if you feel okay. Document every symptom, no matter how minor it seems.

As a physician, Dr. Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, MSF sees this pattern constantly — clients who felt fine at the scene and woke up three days later unable to move. Your medical record from the hours immediately following the crash is one of the most important documents in your entire case.

Step Three — Document Everything at the Scene

If you are physically able to do so, photograph and document everything before leaving the scene. This evidence disappears the moment the cars are moved and the road is cleared.

Photograph:

• Both vehicles from multiple angles — showing damage, position, and proximity
• The road conditions — skid marks, debris, potholes, traffic signals, signage
• Your injuries — even minor cuts and bruising should be photographed immediately
• The other driver’s license, registration, and insurance card
• The truck’s DOT number and license plate if a commercial vehicle was involved
• Any visible surveillance cameras on nearby businesses or intersections

Collect:

• The other driver’s full name, phone number, address, and insurance information
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses before they leave the scene
• The responding officer’s name and badge number

Step Four — What to Say — and What Not to Say

At the scene of a Houston car accident, your words matter enormously. Here is exactly what to do:

Do say:

• Your name and contact information to police and the other driver
• A factual account of what happened to the responding officer

Do not say:

• “I’m sorry” — even as a reflex. In Texas, apologies can be interpreted as admissions of fault.
• “I’m fine” — to anyone at the scene. You do not know yet if you are fine.
• Anything to the other driver’s insurance company — not now, not later, not without an attorney.

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Civil Practice & Remedies Code §33.001. Anything you say that suggests you share responsibility for the crash will be used to reduce — or eliminate — your compensation. Insurance adjusters are trained to elicit these statements. Do not give them one.

Step Five — Report the Accident Correctly

To the police: Texas law requires you to file a written report with TxDOT within 10 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 and police did not respond to the scene.

To your own insurance: Texas law generally requires you to notify your own insurer of an accident promptly. Check your policy for the specific timeframe. Report the facts only — do not speculate about fault.

To the other driver’s insurance: Do not call them. Do not respond to their calls without an attorney. Their adjuster is not working for you.

Step Six — Preserve All Evidence After Leaving the Scene

The evidence gathering does not stop when you leave the accident scene. In the days that follow:

• Do not repair your vehicle until it has been professionally documented. The damage pattern is evidence of impact force.
• Save all medical records and bills — every visit, every prescription, every referral.
• Keep a daily journal — document your pain levels, limitations, missed activities, and emotional impact every day. This becomes powerful evidence in your pain and suffering claim.
• Stay off social media — photos, check-ins, and comments after an accident are routinely pulled by defense teams. A single photo of you at a family gathering can be used to contradict your injury claim.
• Preserve dashcam footage — if your vehicle has a dashcam, back up the footage immediately. Some systems overwrite automatically.

Step Seven — Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Before Accepting Anything

The other driver’s insurance company will call you — often within 24 to 48 hours of the crash. They will be polite. They may seem helpful. They will ask for a recorded statement and potentially offer an early settlement.

Do not accept either.

Recorded statements are used to find inconsistencies in your account. Early settlement offers are designed to close your claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries — and before future medical costs become clear.

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. You do not need to make any decisions under pressure in the days after a crash. What you do need is an attorney who can evaluate your claim, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and protect your rights while you focus on recovering.

A Houston car accident lawyer at WestLoop Law will review your case at no cost and no obligation — and handle everything from that point forward on a no-win, no-fee basis.

What Texas Law Says About Your Rights After a Car Accident

Common Mistakes Houston Accident Victims Make in the First 72 Hours

These are the mistakes that hurt claims the most — and the ones that are easiest to avoid with the right information:

• Not calling 911 — without a police report, your entire account of the crash becomes harder to prove
• Refusing medical care at the scene — “I’m fine” becomes the insurance company’s primary defense against your injury claim
• Giving a recorded statement — you are not legally required to give one to the other driver’s insurer. Do not do it.
• Posting on social media — one photo can undo months of medical documentation
• Waiting to see a lawyer — the insurance company is not waiting. Neither should you.

Frequently Asked Questions — After a Car Accident in Houston

Do I have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?
No. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You should speak with a Houston car accident attorney before giving any statement to any insurer. Contact WestLoop Law before you call them back.

What if the other driver was uninsured?
Texas law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. If the at-fault driver had no insurance, you may be able to recover through your own UM/UIM policy. WestLoop Law identifies every available source of recovery. Call 346-215-0788 to discuss your options.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, most victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However evidence disappears quickly and insurance companies count on delay working in their favor. Contact us as soon as possible.

What if I did not feel injured at the scene but started hurting the next day?
This is extremely common. Adrenaline masks pain and many serious injuries — whiplash, TBI, internal bleeding, herniated discs — do not produce obvious symptoms immediately. See a doctor the same day symptoms appear and document everything. Then call WestLoop Law.

Should I call my own insurance company after the accident?
Yes — your policy likely requires prompt notification of any accident. Report the facts only. Do not speculate about fault and do not give details beyond what is necessary. Your attorney can handle communications from that point forward.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you are less than 51% responsible, you can still recover damages — reduced by your percentage of fault. Do not assume shared fault bars your claim without speaking to an attorney first.

If you were injured in a Houston car accident, the steps you take right now matter. Call WestLoop Law at 346-215-0788 or request your free case review today. Dr. Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, MSF will personally evaluate your claim at no cost and no obligation.

Nhan H. Nguyen, MD, JD, MSF

Nhan H. Nguyen is the founder and lead attorney of WestLoop Law in Houston, Texas. A Vietnamese refugee who grew up in Houston, Dr. Nguyen earned his B.A. in Biology/Pre-Medicine from Baylor University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), his Medical Doctorate from UT Southwestern Medical School, his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center (cum laude), and his Master of Science in Finance from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business. With over 13 years of experience and millions recovered for 2,025+ clients across Harris County, he brings a clinical, legal, and financial perspective to every car accident case he takes.