Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed and specific to Dallas, Texas law — so you don't miss what matters.
Dallas County recorded 19,448 serious injury crashes in 2022 according to TxDOT data. Whether your accident happened on I-35E, the LBJ Freeway, US-75, I-30, or surface streets in Oak Cliff, Garland, or Mesquite, the actions you take in the first 24–72 hours directly affect the value of your injury claim — and whether you can bring one at all.
After a car accident in Dallas, take these steps immediately:
1. Call 911 — always, even for minor injuries. A police report is essential for Texas insurance claims and litigation.
2. Do not leave the scene — Texas law (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021) requires you to remain if there are injuries.
3. Photograph everything — all vehicles, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, and your visible injuries.
4. Exchange information — name, driver's license, insurance, and vehicle registration from every driver involved.
5. Seek medical care the same day — go to an ER or urgent care immediately. Whiplash, TBI, and soft-tissue injuries often have delayed symptoms that appear within 24–72 hours.
6. Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer — you are not required to, and anything you say can be used to reduce your payout.
7. Contact a personal injury attorney — Texas's 2-year statute of limitations (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003) starts on the accident date.
Quick Answer — Source Index4§ 3 LAW◎ 1 GOVclaim-level sources
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 — 2-Year Personal Injury SOLTex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003✓ Official (source-only)
Texas Transportation Code § 550.021 — Duty to Remain at Scene of Injury AccidentTexas Transportation Code § 550.021✓ Official (source-only)
Texas Transportation Code § 550.062 — Crash Report RequirementsTexas Transportation Code § 550.062✓ Official (source-only)
TxDOT CRIS — Crash Records Information SystemTxDOT CRIS✓ Official (source-only)
Check My Case Value & Protect My Claim →
Free · No obligation · 24/7 intake open
⚡ Free · No Obligation
See If You Qualify in 60 Seconds
Step 1 — Select accident type
What type of accident were you in?
What You're Experiencing
You've just been in a car accident in Dallas and you're not sure what to do next. You may be shaken up, dealing with vehicle damage, unsure whether you need a lawyer, and uncertain how the Texas insurance process works.
What This Likely Means
- If the other driver is being cooperative and offering cash at the scene → do not accept; always go through insurance and get a police report
- If the other driver's insurer has already contacted you → do not give a recorded statement; Texas comparative fault rules mean any admission can reduce your recovery
- If you didn't go to the ER at the scene → go to urgent care today; same-day treatment documentation is critical to your claim
- If you're not sure if the accident was your fault → Texas modified comparative fault allows recovery at 50% or less fault; consult an attorney before making any admissions
- If the other driver doesn't have insurance → file under your own UM coverage if you have it; consult an attorney about all available recovery options
Your Options
You Can Do This
- •Call 911 and wait for a police report — do not leave the scene for any reason
- •Photograph all vehicles, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, and your own visible injuries
- •Exchange insurance information, driver's license numbers, and vehicle registration with every driver involved
- •Go to an ER or urgent care the same day — even if you feel fine
Attorney Handles
- •Handle all communications with the at-fault driver's insurer — no recorded statements, no negotiation without representation
- •Issue evidence preservation letters to prevent TxDOT camera footage and vehicle EDR data from being destroyed
- •Coordinate your medical care to ensure documentation supports a clear causal chain
- •Negotiate the full settlement — medical bills, lost wages, future care costs, and pain and suffering
Avoid Doing This
- •Do not post anything about the accident on social media
- •Do not accept any settlement offer without attorney review
- •Do not sign any release before your injuries are fully known
- •Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer
What This Typically Costs
Police report: free to file; $6–$8 for a copy from TxDOT CRIS. ER visit: $1,000–$5,000+ (covered by health insurance or medical lien if no insurance). Attorney consultation: free at virtually all Dallas personal injury firms. Attorney fee if you win: 33% pre-suit, up to 40% in litigation — paid from your settlement, nothing upfront.
When to Call a Professional
Contact an attorney immediately if any of these apply:
- 1
You have visible injuries, loss of consciousness, or severe pain at the scene — call 911 immediately and request EMS
- 2
The other driver flees — note the vehicle description, direction, and call 911; this is a hit-and-run (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021)
- 3
The at-fault driver's insurer contacts you within 24 hours offering a quick cash settlement — do not accept; contact an attorney first
- 4
You develop neck pain, headaches, or cognitive symptoms in the days after the accident — seek medical care immediately; delayed-onset whiplash and concussion symptoms are common
- 5
The police report contains factual errors — dispute them in writing with Dallas PD within 30 days and simultaneously pursue your claim
Not sure what step to take next?
Our free 60-second intake connects you with a verified Dallas specialist — no obligation.
Get Free Case Review →Key Numbers
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute of limitations — personal injury | 2 years from accident date | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 |
| Crash report required (injury accident) | Within 10 days — Tex. Transp. Code § 550.062 | Texas Transportation Code § 550.062 |
| ER / urgent care visit timing | Same day or within 24 hours — critical for claim documentation | Recommended by Texas MVA attorneys |
| Texas minimum liability insurance | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident | Tex. Transp. Code § 601.072 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1
Mistake #1: Not calling 911 or not getting a police report.
Without a police report, the other driver can later dispute what happened. Texas insurers require accident reports for all but the smallest claims. Always call 911 — even when the other driver says 'let's just exchange info.'
- 2
Mistake #2: Delaying medical care.
Texas insurance adjusters use gaps in treatment as evidence that you were not seriously injured. If you show up in an ER three days after the crash, the adjuster will argue your injuries were caused by something else. Go the same day.
- 3
Mistake #3: Posting about the accident on social media.
Any photos, check-ins, or statements you post — even something innocent like 'feeling sore but okay' — can be used to undermine your injury claim in Texas court. Say nothing online about the accident or your injuries.
- 4
Mistake #4: Accepting the first settlement offer.
Texas insurers send quick checks to close claims before the full extent of injuries is known. Once you sign a release, you waive all future claims permanently. Do not accept any settlement until treatment is complete and an attorney has reviewed the offer.
- 5
Mistake #5: Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer.
You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. These calls are designed to get you to minimize your injuries or admit partial fault. Under Texas modified comparative fault, even a small admission can reduce your recovery significantly.
Why Work With a CaseCompass Attorney
No upfront cost. No obligation. Just answers.
Your Consultation Is Always Free
Every attorney on CaseCompass works on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and nothing at all unless your attorney wins or settles your case.
Government-Sourced, Attorney-Verified
Every guide is built from official state records, federal statutes, and government data — then reviewed by a licensed California attorney with a verified clean disciplinary record.
Re-Verified Every 90 Days
Content is reviewed on a 90-day cycle with the reviewing attorney's name and Bar number listed transparently on every page.
24/7 Intake — English & Spanish
Every CaseCompass partner firm provides round-the-clock intake in both English and Spanish so you can get answers the moment you need them.
Your Privacy Is Protected
We never share your personal information without your explicit consent — your eligibility check is free, confidential, and carries zero obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call the police after a minor fender-bender in Dallas?▼
Yes. Texas law (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021) requires you to report any accident involving injury or death. For property-damage-only accidents, you may be required to file a crash report if the damage exceeds $1,000 (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.062). A police report also protects you if the other driver later disputes fault or claims injuries. In Dallas, call Dallas Police Department (non-emergency: (214) 671-3456) or 911 for injury accidents.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?▼
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. If the at-fault driver was a government employee or a government vehicle was involved, special notice requirements apply — you may have as little as 6 months to file a formal notice of claim. Missing either deadline permanently bars recovery.
What if I didn't feel hurt at the scene — can I still make a claim later?▼
Yes, as long as you file within the 2-year statute of limitations. However, the longer you wait to seek medical care, the harder it is to prove your injuries were caused by the accident. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and concussions often don't produce full symptoms for 24–72 hours. Go to urgent care the same day as a precaution.
What if I was partially at fault for my Dallas accident?▼
Texas follows modified comparative fault under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001. You can still recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault, but your recovery is reduced proportionally. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you recover $80,000. At 51% or more fault, you recover nothing — which is why recorded statements and fault admissions are so dangerous.
Should I accept the other driver's cash offer at the scene?▼
No. Accepting cash at the scene closes your claim permanently — and you have no way of knowing the true cost of your injuries until you've been examined. Always go through insurance, get a police report, and seek medical care before making any decisions about compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney in Dallas?▼
Nothing upfront. Dallas personal injury attorneys work on contingency — they receive a percentage (typically 33% pre-suit, up to 40% if litigation is required) only if you win. Contingency fee agreements must be in writing under Texas Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.04. If you don't recover, you owe nothing.
What should I do if the other driver doesn't have insurance in Texas?▼
File a claim under your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage if you carry it. Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101 requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage on all auto policies. If you have it, your own carrier pays up to your UM limits for the uninsured driver's liability. If you don't carry UM, your options are limited to your collision coverage for vehicle damage and a direct lawsuit against the uninsured driver personally — which may be difficult to collect if they have no assets.
Can I get compensation for emotional distress after a Dallas car accident?▼
Yes. Mental anguish and emotional distress are recognized non-economic damages in Texas personal injury cases. Courts have awarded compensation for anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and fear of driving following serious accidents. Documentation matters: a formal mental health diagnosis, treatment records from a therapist or psychiatrist, and a daily symptom log all strengthen an emotional distress claim. Texas does not cap non-economic damages in most MVA cases, unlike medical malpractice.
Sources & Citations
- [1] Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 — 2-Year Personal Injury SOL ↗
- [2] Texas Transportation Code § 550.021 — Duty to Remain at Scene of Injury Accident ↗
- [3] Texas Transportation Code § 550.062 — Crash Report Requirements ↗
- [4] TxDOT CRIS — Crash Records Information System ↗
Related Dallas Accident Guides
Deep-dive service guides written with our verified partner attorneys.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Dallas
Injured in a Dallas car accident? Texas gives you 2 years to file under § 16.003. Learn the 51% fault bar, $30k/$60k/$25k minimums, and steps that protect your claim.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Dallas
Victim of a hit-and-run in Dallas? Texas gives you 2 years to file. UM coverage is your primary recovery path. Learn how to protect your claim when the driver flees.
How to File an Insurance Claim in Dallas
Check My Case Value & Protect My Claim →
Free · No obligation · 24/7 intake open
⚡ Free · No Obligation
See If You Qualify in 60 Seconds
Step 1 — Select accident type
What type of accident were you in?