A car accident can leave you shaken, injured, and immediately flooded with decisions—medical care, insurance calls, repairs, missed work. In the first 30 minutes, the choices you make can also affect what evidence exists later and how smoothly your claim (or defense) goes.
Below is a practical checklist for what to do after a crash in Austin, Texas, with a focus on protecting your health and preserving your options.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice.
1) Get to safety first, then check for injuries
If the vehicles can be moved and it’s safe to do so, move out of active lanes and turn on hazard lights. Check yourself and passengers for injuries—even “minor” symptoms can develop into serious issues hours later (neck/back pain, concussion symptoms).
If anyone is injured, call 911. Texas law imposes duties on drivers after a collision, including providing information and rendering aid in certain situations.
2) Call the police and request an official crash report
In many cases—especially if someone is hurt or vehicles are disabled—getting law enforcement to the scene is one of the best ways to create a clean paper trail. If an officer investigates, Texas law requires the officer’s crash report to be filed with the state within 10 days.
That report can later help with:
establishing basic crash facts (time, location, parties)
identifying witnesses
documenting citations (if any)
speeding up insurance processing
3) Exchange the right information—and keep it simple
At minimum, exchange:
names and contact info
driver’s license numbers
license plates
insurance carrier + policy numbers
Texas law also requires drivers to provide certain identifying information after crashes in applicable circumstances.
What not to do: avoid apologizing or debating fault at the scene. Even a polite “I’m sorry” can be misinterpreted later as an admission.
4) Photograph everything like you’re building a case file
Use your phone and get:
wide shots of the full scene (lanes, traffic signals, skid marks)
close-ups of damage on both vehicles
vehicle positions before moving (if safe)
the other driver’s plate + insurance card
visible injuries (if appropriate)
road conditions, construction signage, weather, lighting
If you can, take a short walk-around video narrating what happened while it’s fresh.
5) Identify witnesses and capture contact details
Witnesses disappear fast. If anyone saw the crash, get:
full name
phone number
brief statement of what they saw (voice memo is fine)
6) Get medical care quickly—and follow through
Adrenaline can mask injuries. If you hit your head, blacked out, feel dizzy, nauseated, foggy, or have worsening pain—get checked out promptly.
Also: follow medical instructions and keep records. Insurance companies often treat gaps in treatment as “it wasn’t that serious.”
7) Notify your insurance—but be careful with recorded statements
Report the crash to your carrier promptly (your policy may require it). But before giving detailed recorded statements—especially to the other driver’s insurer—consider getting guidance. Early statements are often used later to dispute injury severity or shift fault.
8) Understand two Texas deadlines that matter
The 2-year filing deadline for many injury claims
Texas has a two-year limitations period for many personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Waiting too long can permanently bar a claim.
The “51% rule” on fault
Texas uses proportionate responsibility: if you are more than 50% responsible, you generally cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less responsible, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
This is one reason scene evidence and witness information matter so much.
9) Start a simple “damage log” (it adds up)
Create a note on your phone and track:
missed work days + lost income
medical visits, prescriptions, mileage to appointments
pain/symptoms day-by-day
limitations (sleep, lifting, driving, childcare)
out-of-pocket costs (rental car, towing, co-pays)
When should you talk to a lawyer?
Consider a consult if:
you have injuries (especially head/neck/back)
the other driver is uninsured/underinsured
you’re being pressured to settle fast
fault is disputed or multiple vehicles are involved
a commercial vehicle/truck is involved
you’re missing work or facing ongoing treatment
A consultation can help you understand what a fair process looks like and what evidence to preserve early.
If you want, Callahan Law Offices can turn this checklist into a case-specific plan based on your crash facts and your goals.
Quick FAQ
Do I have to get a police report for every crash?
Not always, but it’s strongly recommended when there are injuries, disputes about fault, or significant damage—because it creates an official record.
What if I feel fine at the scene but hurt later?
That’s common. Seek medical care and document symptoms right away.
Where do I get the crash report?
Crash records in Texas are maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation.