1. Safety First: Check Everyone Involved

The first priority after any accident is safety. Make sure you and your children are out of harm’s way. If you’re in a vehicle, move it to the shoulder if possible. Turn on your hazard lights and stay inside if the road around you is busy or unsafe.

Call 911 even for minor accidents. Reporting ensures an official record and helps you access help quickly. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, more than 13,000 serious injury crashes occurred in 2022, highlighting how common and serious accidents can be.

2. What to Check Immediately

✅ Is anyone injured? Check yourself, children, and others for injuries.

✅ Is there a fire risk? Move away if there’s fuel leakage or smoke.

✅ Are you safe from oncoming traffic? Stand away from busy roads.

3. Exchange Information and Document the Scene

Texas law requires all involved drivers to exchange information. This includes names, addresses, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers. Using your phone, photograph everything possible:

✔️ Vehicle damage

✔️ License plates

✔️ Injuries

✔️ Surroundings (skid marks, traffic signals)

Write down what happened while details are fresh. Witness accounts can be important later, so ask for names and contact details if anyone stops to help.

4. Get Medical Attention

Even if everyone feels fine, see a doctor immediately. Many injuries—like concussions or whiplash—show up hours or days later. Texas saw more than 4,000 traffic-related fatalities in 2022, so it’s always better to be cautious.

For children, pediatric care is important, as kids may not communicate pain or discomfort well. Medical records also become important if you need to file a claim or seek compensation.

5. File a Police Report

In Texas, you must file a crash report if there’s injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Officers will usually file this at the scene. If not, you can submit it using Texas Department of Transportation forms. Police reports can be essential during insurance claims and legal actions.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. Provide accurate details and do not guess. Sending photos and police reports can help speed up your claim. Failing to report promptly can hurt your ability to collect compensation.

Texas is a fault state, meaning that whoever is responsible for the accident pays for damages. Fault can be shared between drivers under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages from others.

7. Avoid Admitting Fault or Signing Documents

While it’s natural to apologize out of politeness, do not admit fault at the scene or sign any statements. Insurance companies sometimes use early statements to deny claims. Instead, stick to the facts and tell your insurance and police what happened without speculation.

8. Keep Records of Everything

You may need to keep track of medical bills, repair invoices, time missed from work, and any other accident-related expenses. These records help build your case if you need to seek compensation.

Store all correspondence with insurance companies and keep a notebook of conversations—include dates, names, and what was discussed.

9. Consider Legal Help, Especially for Serious Injuries

After a serious accident, it’s smart to speak with an attorney. Medical care and lost income can quickly add up, and insurance companies try to minimize payouts. In Texas, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time can pass quickly when dealing with recovery and family needs.

Experienced lawyers can guide you through:

✅ Determining fault and liability

✅ Gathering evidence

✅ Calculating fair compensation

✅ Negotiating with insurance companies

10. Special Concerns for Moms and Families

Moms often juggle school schedules, medical needs, childcare, and emotional recovery after an accident. Supporting children’s emotional health is just as important as physical recovery. Kids may develop anxiety, trouble sleeping, or reluctance to travel after a crash.

11. Ways to Help Children Cope

✔️ Talk openly, letting them express fears and feelings.

✔️ Stick to routines when possible.

✔️ Get professional counseling if you see ongoing distress.

In Texas, child car seats must be replaced after a severe accident, even if no damage is visible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends replacing the seat unless the accident was minor (no injuries, car drivable, no airbag deployment).

12. Common Mistakes to Avoid

✔️ Delaying medical care for yourself or children

✔️ Not filing a police report or accident report when required

✔️ Talking too much to insurance adjusters without preparation

✔️ Ignoring pain or symptoms later on

✔️ Throwing away receipts or repair records

Accidents can upend family life, but prompt action helps protect your health and rights. Make safety and well-being your top priority. Gather information, document everything, seek medical care, and think about legal options if injuries are serious or insurance isn’t cooperating.

Taking these steps after an accident in Texas can make recovery smoother and help secure the best outcome for you and your family.