Getting into a car accident is stressful — even a minor one. In the seconds after impact, most drivers are shaken and unsure what to do next. Knowing exactly what to do after a car accident before it happens is one of the most practical things any Texas driver can do to protect themselves legally and financially.
This guide walks you through every step — from the moment of impact through insurance claims and vehicle repair — with specific guidance for Texas law and San Antonio drivers.
Key Takeaways
- Stay calm, check for injuries, and call 911 if there’s injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 — Texas law requires it.
- Never admit fault at the scene, even casually — Texas uses modified comparative fault, and what you say can affect your claim.
- Collect the other driver’s info, witness contacts, the police report number, and photos of both vehicles and the scene.
- You have the legal right in Texas to choose your own repair shop — the insurance company cannot force you to use theirs.
- Notify your own insurer within 24–48 hours regardless of fault, and get a written repair estimate before agreeing to any settlement.
Step 1: What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident (First 60 Seconds)
- Stay calm — do not panic. Take a breath before you speak or act.
- Check for injuries. Check yourself, your passengers, and — if safe — the occupants of the other vehicle. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.
- Move to safety if possible. If vehicles are drivable, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
- Do not admit fault. Even saying “I am sorry” can be interpreted as an admission of liability in a Texas insurance claim.
- Call 911. In Texas, you are legally required to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
What Texas Law Requires After an Accident
Under the Texas Transportation Code, drivers must:
- Stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as safely possible
- Provide assistance to anyone injured, if you can do so safely
- Exchange information: name, address, vehicle registration, driver’s license number, and insurance information
- Report to police if there is injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000
Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony in Texas.
Information to Collect at the Scene
- Other driver’s full name, phone number, and home address
- Their driver’s license number and state of issue
- Their insurance company name, policy number, and claims phone number
- Vehicle make, model, year, color, and license plate number
- Names and contact information of any witnesses
- The responding officer’s name, badge number, and police report number
- Photos of both vehicles — all angles, close-up damage, wider context shots
- Photos of the scene — road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, intersection layout
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
Even careful drivers make avoidable mistakes in the chaos after a crash. Watch out for these common missteps:
- Forgetting to document the scene before vehicles are moved. Once cars are cleared from the road, evidence of point of impact and skid marks disappears.
- Posting about the accident on social media. Insurance adjusters routinely review public posts, and even a casual comment can be used to dispute your claim.
- Accepting a cash offer at the scene. Hidden damage — frame misalignment, sensor issues, ADAS miscalibration — often does not show up until days later.
- Delaying medical evaluation. Adrenaline can mask injuries. A gap between the accident and a medical visit gives insurers grounds to argue the injury was unrelated.
- Signing paperwork from the other driver’s insurer before your own adjuster reviews the claim. Read everything carefully, and never sign a full release until repairs and any injuries are fully understood.
What to Do After a Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault
Do Not Admit Fault — Even Partially
Texas uses modified comparative fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
Notify Your Own Insurance Company
Even if the accident was 100% the other driver’s fault, notify your own insurer within 24–48 hours.
Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement
The at-fault driver’s insurer may contact you quickly. Do not accept any payment — especially for injuries — before you fully understand the extent of your damages.
Get a Repair Estimate Before Agreeing to Anything
Take your vehicle to a reputable body shop for a written estimate. In Texas, you have the right to choose your own repair shop.
What to Do When the Accident Was Your Fault
- Cooperate fully with the police — answer questions honestly and calmly
- Do not over-explain or volunteer details beyond what officers ask
- Contact your insurance company within 24 hours
- Document the scene the same way you would if the accident were not your fault
How to File an Insurance Claim in Texas After an Accident
| Situation | Coverage That Applies |
|---|---|
| You caused it — your vehicle damage | Collision coverage (minus deductible) |
| You caused it — other driver’s damage | Your liability coverage |
| Other driver caused it — your vehicle | Their liability, or your collision if they are uninsured |
| Hail, flood, or weather damage | Comprehensive coverage |
| Hit and run, other driver unknown | Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) |
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, you have the right to request a written explanation if your insurer denies any part of your claim.
How Long Does the Claim and Repair Process Take?
Timelines vary by insurer and damage severity, but most San Antonio drivers can expect a general pattern: the insurance adjuster typically inspects the vehicle or reviews photos within a few business days of the claim being filed, a repair estimate follows shortly after, and parts availability is usually the biggest factor in how long the actual repair takes. Minor cosmetic repairs (bumper covers, panel work) are often completed within a few days once parts arrive, while more involved structural or ADAS-related repairs can take one to two weeks. Choosing a shop that communicates proactively with your insurer — like 360 Collision does for every San Antonio customer — helps prevent the claim from stalling in back-and-forth paperwork.
What to Do With Your Car After an Accident in San Antonio
Do not drive a damaged vehicle if it is unsafe. Airbag deployment, frame damage, fluid leaks, or compromised steering and braking are serious danger signs.
Choose your shop, not the insurance company’s shop. Texas law gives you the right to take your vehicle anywhere you choose. At 360 Collision in San Antonio (8803 Oakland Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240, (210) 405-8817), we handle post-accident repairs for all makes and models.
If your bumper was damaged, see our bumper repair cost guide. If hail was a factor, read our hail damage repair guide. For surface dents, learn about paintless dent repair costs. For a full pricing breakdown across repair types, see our collision repair cost guide. And see our frame repair services if structural damage is involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, check for injuries and call 911 if needed. Move vehicles out of traffic if safe. Do not admit fault. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and document the scene with photos.
Yes, if there is injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Texas law requires you to report the accident. Even for minor accidents, a police report is valuable documentation.
If property damage is under $1,000 and no one is hurt, Texas law does not require a police report, but it’s still a good idea. A report creates an official record that can protect you if the other driver later disputes what happened.
Do not admit fault. Document everything. Notify your own insurer within 24–48 hours. In Texas, you have the right to use any licensed repair facility.
Most Texas insurers require notification within 24 to 72 hours. Texas law gives you 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you carry uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, your own policy can pay for your vehicle’s repairs. Without it, you may need to pursue the at-fault driver directly for damages.
It depends on fault and your insurer’s policies. Claims where you are found at fault are more likely to affect your rate than claims where another driver is responsible. Ask your agent how a specific claim will be classified before you file.
Yes. In Texas, you have the legal right to choose any licensed auto body repair facility — regardless of what your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurer recommends.
360 Collision at 8803 Oakland Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240 handles post-accident repairs for all makes and models. Call (210) 405-8817 for a free estimate.
Cost depends on the type and extent of damage — a bumper repair, hail damage, or a full frame repair each fall into very different price ranges. See our collision repair cost guide for typical San Antonio pricing, or contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate.
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) calibration realigns the cameras and sensors behind features like lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking. A collision can knock these sensors out of alignment even without visible damage, so many modern vehicles need calibration as part of a proper repair. 360 Collision calibrates ADAS systems to manufacturer standards.
Call (210) 405-8817 or request an estimate through our contact page. Bring your vehicle to 8803 Oakland Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240, or send photos of the damage for a preliminary estimate.
360 Collision: San Antonio’s Trusted Post-Accident Repair Shop
Accidents are stressful. The repair process should not be. At 360 Collision, we have helped hundreds of San Antonio drivers navigate post-accident repairs.
Get Your Free Post-Accident Estimate
Or call us: (210) 405-8817
