Most of the steps you take after a car accident protect your safety and legal rights: ensure you and others are safe, call 911 to report injuries and hazards, seek medical attention even for minor pain, exchange information with other drivers, document the scene with photos, and contact your insurance and a local attorney if needed.
Key Takeaways:
- Call 911 for injuries, fires, or hazardous conditions and get on-scene medical help.
- Move vehicles out of traffic if safe, turn on hazards, and set warning devices to prevent further collisions.
- Document the scene with photos/videos (vehicle damage, positions, road signs, skid marks), note time/date/weather, and collect witness names and contacts.
- Exchange driver, insurance, and registration information; avoid admitting fault. Contact Frisco PD for an official report and file a Texas CR‑2 with DPS within 10 days if there are injuries, fatalities, or damage ≥ $1,000.
- Seek medical care even for minor symptoms, notify your insurer promptly, and consider an attorney for serious injuries or disputed liability.
Assessing the Situation
Scan the scene for immediate hazards like leaking fluids, smoke, oncoming traffic, or downed power lines and count occupants in every vehicle; note license plates and vehicle positions for later reports. Take multiple photos within the first 5 minutes to preserve evidence and jot down witness names and phone numbers. If airbags deployed or anyone is unconscious, call 911 right away and keep bystanders at least 50 feet back to avoid secondary collisions.
Checking for Injuries
First check yourself, then others for responsiveness – ask simple questions and look for breathing, bleeding, or deformities. If someone isn’t breathing, call 911 and begin CPR (30 compressions to 2 breaths) if you’re trained; control heavy bleeding with direct pressure or a tourniquet if available. Avoid moving anyone with suspected neck or spine injuries unless there’s an immediate danger like fire or fuel leak.
Ensuring Safety
If everyone can move, pull vehicles to the shoulder or a nearby lot to clear traffic and turn on hazard lights; Texas law permits moving disabled vehicles off-road when safe. Place reflective triangles or cones at least 100 feet behind your vehicle to warn drivers, and if you smell gasoline or see sparks, evacuate all occupants at least 50 feet upwind and avoid smoking or electronic devices near the scene.
When deciding whether to move a vehicle, check for steering or transmission damage, deployed airbags, and leaking fluids that could spark; photograph the scene before any movement and note gear position. If the car isn’t driveable, call a tow – many Frisco tow companies respond within 20-30 minutes during daytime hours – and keep injured parties still and shaded while you wait for EMS or responders to arrive.
Contacting Authorities
After ensuring your safety, call 911 for injuries, fire, leaking fuel, downed power lines, or suspected impairment; give dispatch your exact location, number of injured people, vehicle descriptions, and whether lanes are blocked. Police and EMS prioritize life‑threatening calls and will generate an incident report on scene that you will need for insurance claims and any legal follow‑up.
When to Call the Police
Call the police whenever anyone is injured, a driver appears intoxicated, a hit‑and‑run occurs, vehicles are obstructing traffic, or fault is contested. Even with seemingly minor damage, a formal report prevents later disputes and insurers commonly request the report number. If the officer declines to file a report, obtain that officer’s name and badge number for your records.
Gathering Incident Report
Request the officer’s name, badge, case or report number, responding unit, and the incident report copy procedure; many departments make reports available online within 24-72 hours. Note the officer’s contact info and the report number at the scene, and keep a printed or electronic copy for insurance, medical billing, and any potential legal needs.
If no officer files a report, prepare your own written statement and collect evidence: take photos from at least six angles, capture license plates, document skid marks and nearby signs, and record witness names and numbers. Provide these items and the report number to your insurer and attorney-adjusters and courts use that information to match evidence and speed claims or litigation.
Exchanging Information
Start by exchanging core identifiers: full name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, insurer and policy number, plus vehicle make/model/year and VIN when visible. Make sure you photograph the documents and damage from 8-12 angles, including close-ups of plates and airbags. If police respond, record the officer’s name and report number; if not, note the exact time and location and provide these details to your insurer when filing the claim.
What to Collect from Other Drivers
Get each driver’s full name, phone, address, driver’s license number, license plate, and the vehicle’s make/model/color/year. Ask for their insurance company and policy number and photograph their insurance card and license. You should note towing company, rental arrangements, and any visible damage; when possible, write down the other driver’s short account to capture admission or denial of fault.
Importance of Witnesses
Independent witnesses can change liability in disputed crashes, so you should aim to collect at least two eyewitnesses’ names and numbers. Ask where they were standing and what they observed-speeding, signaling, braking-and get a quick written or recorded statement. Photograph their vantage point and secure any time-stamped video to strengthen your position during insurance review.
Request a brief written note or text from each witness describing sequence, approximate times, and whether they saw contact or evasive actions; a line like “saw blue sedan run red light at 2:14 p.m.” is highly useful. Prioritize witnesses unaffiliated with involved parties, ask permission to photograph them for ID, and have them send any videos so you preserve metadata and timestamps for insurers or court.
Documenting the Scene
Document the scene thoroughly to protect your claim: photograph vehicle positions, sketch a quick diagram noting lane markings and distances in feet, record the date/time and officer report number, and collect witness names and phone numbers. Note hazards like leaking fluids or downed lines and whether airbags deployed. Include measurements-skid marks in feet, distance from curb-and save photos to both your phone and cloud so nothing is lost before investigators arrive.
Taking Photographs
Use your smartphone to shoot wide shots showing all vehicles and the overall scene, then capture close-ups of damage, license plates, airbags, and visible injuries; aim for at least three angles per vehicle plus a 360° video. Ensure timestamps or GPS are enabled, photograph skid marks and traffic signals, and, if safe, snap images of nearby signage, street names, and any traffic-control cameras you see.
Noting Conditions and Details
You should note weather (rain, fog, temperature), lighting (dawn, dusk, night), road surface (wet, icy, gravel), posted speed limits, and the state of traffic controls (red/green/yellow). Record odor of alcohol or drugs, whether brake lights were on, and any evasive maneuvers mentioned by drivers or witnesses; log distances in feet for skid marks and final rest positions while details are fresh.
You can measure skid marks and distances with a tape measure when possible; if not, estimate using car lengths-average sedan ≈15 feet, so three car lengths ≈45 feet. Note exact intersection names, mile markers or GPS coordinates, and the time of day. You should ask nearby businesses for CCTV or doorbell camera footage (many retain 24-72 hours) and log who you spoke with and the footage timestamp.
Notifying Your Insurance
After the scene, notify your insurer promptly-many policies require notice within 24-72 hours; give your insurer the date, time, location, police report number, photos, witness names, and a brief statement of your damages and injuries. If the other driver is at fault, report their policy and plate; request a claim number and the adjuster’s contact, and save every email, call log, and estimate for later reference.
Initial Steps to Take
Start by calling your insurer’s claims line or using their app as soon as it’s safe; provide a concise, factual account and avoid admitting fault. Upload photos, the police report number, tow or repair receipts, and any medical bills. Ask for the claim number, adjuster’s name, and an estimated timeline, and note any deadlines for statements, inspections, or supplemental documentation so you meet insurer requirements.
Understanding Your Coverage
Check your policy limits and coverages so you know what pays: Texas minimum liability is 30/60/25 ($30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, $25,000 property), but your policy may include collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM), medical payments, or rental reimbursement; verify deductibles and whether rental or towing is covered to estimate out-of-pocket costs.
If the other driver is clearly at fault, file against their liability and provide your police report, photos, and witness contacts to speed acceptance. If their insurer disputes liability or denies full payment, your UM/UIM or collision (minus your deductible) can cover repairs and medicals while you pursue reimbursement; keep all receipts, and expect insurers to request estimates or inspections within about 7-14 days.
Seeking Medical Attention
You should get medical evaluation immediately after leaving the scene if you have pain, dizziness, visible injuries, or any change in consciousness; emergency responders can document injuries and begin care. If symptoms are subtle, schedule a clinic visit within 24-72 hours to record onset and get imaging or referrals. Hospitals in Frisco such as Baylor Scott & White Frisco provide trauma and urgent care; documented treatment supports both recovery and insurance claims.
Importance of a Health Check
You should treat a post-crash health check as both medical and legal evidence: delayed whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussion symptoms often emerge within 24-72 hours. Early X‑rays, CT scans, or cervical spine exams can detect fractures or intracranial issues. Having dated, stamped medical records within the first three days strengthens causation for insurance and personal-injury claims and speeds appropriate referrals to orthopedics or neurology.
Following Up on Injuries
After initial care, keep scheduled follow-ups and track symptoms daily-note pain levels, range of motion, sleep disruption, and medication use. Attend physical therapy 2-3 times per week if prescribed, retain all bills and physician notes, and photograph swelling or bruising changes. Consistent documentation and adherence to treatment plans improve recovery odds and bolster any claim you pursue.
If symptoms worsen-new numbness, increasing weakness, severe headaches, vomiting, or loss of bladder/bowel control-you must return to the ER immediately. For pain that persists past 2-4 weeks, request MRI and specialist referral; common post‑crash findings include soft‑tissue sprains, herniated discs, or concussions. Keep a dated symptom diary with treatments and functional impact to show progression to doctors and insurers.
Conclusion
Conclusively, after a car accident in Frisco, TX, you should ensure your safety and move to a secure location if possible, call 911 and report the crash, seek medical attention for any injuries, exchange information with other parties and witnesses, document the scene with photos, notify your insurer promptly, and consult an experienced local attorney if you face injuries or disputes to protect your rights.
FAQ
Q: What immediate steps should I take at the scene of a car accident in Frisco, TX?
A: Ensure everyone’s safety first: check for injuries and call 911 for medical help or if the crash is blocking traffic. If it is safe and legal to do so, move vehicles out of traffic or to the shoulder and turn on hazard lights. Render basic first aid if you are trained, but avoid making statements about fault. Call the police so an official report can be made; obtain the officer’s name and report number. Photograph the scene, vehicle positions, damage, license plates and any visible injuries before vehicles are moved.
Q: What information and evidence should I collect at the scene?
A: Photograph and video-record the overall scene, close-ups of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Exchange names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance company and policy numbers, and vehicle makes/models with other drivers. Ask for and record witness names and contact details. Write notes describing how the crash occurred and the time and location. Keep copies of the police report, tow receipts, and any immediate medical paperwork.
Q: Should I get medical attention even if I feel fine right after the crash?
A: Yes. Some injuries (whiplash, internal injuries, concussion) may not show symptoms immediately. Seek evaluation at an emergency room or urgent care as soon as possible if you notice pain, disorientation, headache, numbness, or other concerns. Document all medical visits, diagnoses, tests, treatment, and related expenses; these records are important for insurance claims and potential legal actions.
Q: When and how do I report the accident to authorities and my insurance company in Frisco?
A: Call 911 for emergencies; for non-emergency crashes still involving injury, death, or significant property damage, request the responding officer at the scene so a police report is generated. Under Texas law, a written report to the state may be required if there is injury, death, or substantial damage-file within the statutory timeframe if applicable. Notify your insurance company promptly and provide factual details and the police report number; do not admit fault or give speculative statements. For hit-and-run incidents contact police immediately and report the incident to your insurer right away.
Q: Do I need an attorney after a Frisco car accident and are there important deadlines I should know?
A: Consult an attorney if there are serious injuries, disputed liability, uninsured or underinsured drivers, or if settlement offers are inadequate. Texas generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and property-damage claims, so act promptly to preserve legal rights. Preserve evidence (photos, vehicle parts, medical records, witness contact info) and avoid signing release forms or giving recorded statements to insurers without legal advice if liability or damages are contested. An attorney can handle insurer communications, preserve evidence, and evaluate potential compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.