When Do You Need to Involve the Police After an Auto Accident in Texas?

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, you need to involve the police after an auto accident in Texas under these circumstances:

  • Someone suffers an injury or passes away.
  • The vehicles suffered too much damage to be moved.
  • One of the drivers appears intoxicated.
  • One of the drivers does not have auto insurance.
  • One of the drivers leaves or tries to leave the scene.

You should also call the police if you feel threatened by another driver or the accident occurred in a dangerous or remote place.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

Put your vehicle in park and turn on emergency flashers. Check yourself and passengers in your car for injuries. Look for injuries among the other drivers and passengers. Do not move an injured person. Get medical help if necessary.

If You Can Safely Drive Your Vehicle, Move it to a Safer Place

If you can drive your car, move it to a safer place. Once you are out of the flow of traffic, exchange this information with the other driver(s):

  • Name, address, and telephone numbers
  • Auto insurance and driver’s license information
  • Vehicle identification numbers (usually found on the windshield) and license plate numbers

Other Post Accident Actions

Take photographs of your car, the other vehicle(s), and the accident location. If there are witnesses, get their names and telephone numbers. If you cannot drive your car, raise the hood to notify other drivers to go around. If you have emergency flares, use them. You can also use reflective triangles.

Get Medical Attention As Soon as Possible

Whether the police are involved in your auto accident or not, see a medical professional as soon as possible. Your passengers should, as well. Even if you feel fine, you should have a doctor or other healthcare provider examine you. Your symptoms and injuries may not have fully manifested.

Be Careful When Working with an Insurance Adjuster

It is our experience that insurance companies try to settle quickly. They often do this by offering a settlement offer very early in the process. We ask that you talk to us first. We want to ensure your settlement covers all necessary losses.

We can also take over communication with the insurer to ensure you do not do or say anything that could jeopardize your claim.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Texas

  1. D. Miller & Associates, PLLC offers free case evaluations for injured parties in Texas. Our auto accident lawyers have helped many Texans by recovering compensation for medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, miscellaneous expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more.

You pay nothing unless we are successful. Call our firm at 713-850-8600 for a free case evaluation.