Overview
After a car accident in Texas, get to safety, call 911 so police can respond and document the crash, exchange information, photograph everything, and see a doctor even if you feel fine. Then notify your insurer promptly. Texas gives you two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, uses a 51% bar rule that reduces or eliminates your recovery based on your share of fault, and requires every driver to carry at least 30/60/25 liability coverage — all of which shape how your claim plays out. Here are the steps that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a car accident in Texas?
Move to a safe spot if you can, call 911, and request police and medical help if anyone is hurt. Exchange names, contact details, license plates, and insurance information, photograph the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries, and collect witness contact information. Get medical care the same day, report the crash to your own insurer, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company until you've talked to an attorney.
Do I have to report the accident in Texas?
Call the police for any crash involving injury, death, or significant vehicle damage so there's an official Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3). For crashes police didn't investigate, Texas has historically used the CR-2 Driver's Crash Report for damage of $1,000 or more, but the form's filing requirements have changed in recent years, so check current Texas DOT guidance rather than assuming a report is required. You should also notify your own insurance company promptly as your policy requires.
How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Claims against a city, county, or state agency require written notice much sooner. Insurance claims should be opened within days, not years, so don't confuse the lawsuit deadline with the time to notify the insurer.
What if I was partly at fault in Texas?
Texas uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover, but your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault; if you were 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Because every percentage point matters, the evidence you collect at the scene — photos, witnesses, the police report — can directly change the value of your claim.
What insurance does Texas require, and what if the other driver doesn't have enough?
Texas requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25). Those limits run out quickly in a serious crash, so your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and PIP — which Texas insurers must offer unless you reject them in writing — can make a major difference. A free case review from Injury Case Pro connects you with a Texas attorney who can identify every available source of coverage.
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Get A Free Case Review →This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and every case is different. Contact us to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
