What to Do After a Car Accident in Denton

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Car accidents happen fast, and the moments right after a crash can feel completely overwhelming. Your hands are shaking, your heart is racing, and you have no idea what to do next. Whether you were rear-ended on I-35 near the University of North Texas campus, sideswiped on Loop 288, or hit at a busy intersection on University Drive (US-380), the steps you take immediately after the crash can make or break your ability to recover fair compensation. Denton County recorded more than 12,000 total vehicle accidents in 2023 alone, and the roads around Denton, from Carroll Boulevard to Teasley Lane, see crashes every single day. Knowing your rights and your responsibilities before an accident happens puts you in a much stronger position if one ever does.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Stop, Stay Safe, and Call 911

The very first thing you must do after a crash is stop your vehicle. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.021, any driver involved in a collision that results in injury or death must immediately stop at the scene, or as close to the scene as possible, and remain there until all legal duties are fulfilled. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a serious crime in Texas. Depending on the severity of the injuries, it can be charged as a third-degree felony, carrying two to ten years in prison, or even a second-degree felony if a death results, which carries up to twenty years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Once you have stopped, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 right away. Even if the crash seems minor, getting law enforcement to the scene protects you legally and creates an official record of the event. If the accident happens on a main lane or shoulder of a freeway, such as I-35E near Scripture Street or the ramp near Bonnie Brae, Texas Transportation Code Section 550.022 requires you to move your vehicle to a safe location off the main lanes, like a frontage road or nearby cross street, as long as the vehicle can be driven safely. This keeps traffic moving and reduces the risk of a secondary crash. Never assume you are fine and drive away. Adrenaline masks pain, and injuries like whiplash or a concussion may not be obvious until hours later.

Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.023, you are also required to give your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information to any injured person or the operator of the other vehicle. If someone is hurt, you must provide reasonable assistance, which includes calling for medical help or arranging transportation to a hospital if treatment is clearly needed. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, located at 3000 North I-35, is the nearest full-service emergency facility for many Denton crash victims and is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center.

Step 2: Document the Scene and Gather Evidence

Once you are safe and emergency services have been called, start gathering evidence. The evidence you collect in the first few minutes after a crash can be the difference between a strong insurance claim and a disputed one. Pull out your phone and take photos of everything. Capture the damage to all vehicles involved, the positions of the cars, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. If the crash happened at a known trouble spot like the intersection of Teasley Lane and I-35 or near the Denton Square, photograph street signs and landmarks that show exactly where the accident occurred.

Talk to witnesses before they leave. Get their names and phone numbers. Bystander accounts can be powerful evidence, especially when the other driver disputes fault. Write down everything you remember about how the crash happened, including the time, weather conditions, the direction each vehicle was traveling, and anything the other driver said at the scene. Statements made at the scene, like “I didn’t see you” or “I ran the light,” can be valuable later.

Exchange information with the other driver. Get their full name, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance company, and policy number. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.292, any driver involved in a collision is required to provide evidence of financial responsibility to the investigating law enforcement officer. If the other driver cannot provide proof of insurance, that information matters for your claim, especially if you need to pursue an uninsured motorist claim. Note the make, model, and color of the other vehicle. If there were any commercial vehicles involved, like delivery trucks or company cars, get the business name and any identifying information from the vehicle. The evidence you collect at the scene forms the foundation of your entire case.

Step 3: Get Medical Attention Right Away

Seek medical care as soon as possible after a crash, even if you feel fine. This is one of the most important steps you can take, both for your health and for your legal claim. Many serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage, do not produce obvious symptoms immediately after impact. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain for hours or even days. By the time symptoms appear, the other driver’s insurance company may argue that your injuries were caused by something else entirely.

Going to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic the same day as the crash creates a medical record that directly links your injuries to the accident. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton on North I-35 is a strong option for emergency care. Your doctor’s notes, diagnostic imaging, and treatment records become critical evidence in your personal injury claim. If you wait several days before seeing a doctor, insurers will use that gap against you. They will argue that you were not seriously hurt, or that something else caused your condition. Do not give them that opening.

Follow your doctor’s treatment plan completely. Attend every follow-up appointment, complete any prescribed physical therapy, and keep records of all your medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. Gaps in treatment hurt your case just as much as delayed treatment. If you suffered a concussion, a spinal cord injury, or broken bones in the crash, consistent medical documentation is the only way to prove the full extent of your damages. Your medical records are the backbone of your compensation claim, covering everything from current medical bills to future medical costs that may arise from your injuries.

Step 4: Report the Crash and Get the Police Report

Texas law requires drivers to report accidents involving death, injury, or significant property damage. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.026, this report must be made as soon as possible to the local police department or, if outside a municipality, to the nearest sheriff’s office. In Denton, that means contacting the Denton Police Department. When law enforcement arrives, they will investigate the scene and prepare an official crash report, known as a CR-3 form, as required by Texas Transportation Code Section 550.062.

That CR-3 crash report is one of the most important documents in your case. It contains the officer’s findings about how the crash happened, any citations issued, witness information, and the officer’s preliminary determination of fault. Insurance companies and attorneys rely heavily on this report when evaluating claims. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to request a copy of the crash report. Parties who are directly involved in the accident, including any driver, vehicle owner, or their authorized representative, are entitled to receive a copy of the report upon written request and payment of the required fee.

When speaking with the responding officer, stick to the facts. Do not speculate about fault or apologize, even if you feel sympathy for the other party. Anything you say at the scene can be used later. If the officer’s report contains errors, such as incorrect details about how the crash happened or wrong information about who was involved, those errors can create problems for your claim. Errors in police reports are more common than people realize, and addressing them early, with the help of an attorney, is far easier than trying to correct them later when the insurance company has already relied on the incorrect version.

Step 5: Protect Your Claim Before Talking to Insurance

After a crash, the other driver’s insurance company will likely contact you quickly. Their adjuster may sound friendly and sympathetic, but their job is to settle your claim for as little money as possible. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer without first speaking to an attorney. Anything you say can be taken out of context and used to reduce or deny your claim. Texas operates under a modified comparative fault system, meaning that if you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, you cannot recover any compensation. Even a casual comment like “I didn’t see the light change” can shift fault percentages in ways that hurt your recovery.

Notify your own insurance company about the crash promptly, as your policy likely requires it. But keep your statements brief and factual. Do not accept any settlement offer from any insurer until you fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back and ask for more money, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you first realized.

Working with experienced personal injury lawyers from the start gives you a significant advantage. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, we handle communication with insurance companies on your behalf, gather and preserve evidence, and work to build the strongest possible case for your recovery. Texas gives most car accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit under the state’s statute of limitations, but waiting too long to act can result in lost evidence, missing witnesses, and weakened claims. The sooner you get legal help, the better positioned you are. If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in Denton County, including on I-35, Loop 288, or Carroll Boulevard, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our firm also serves clients injured in crashes in the surrounding area, and our car accident lawyer team in Arlington, our car accident attorney team in Dallas, our car accident lawyer team in Fort Worth, our car accident lawyer team in Irving, and our car accident attorney team in Lewisville are all ready to help. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your case, as every case depends on its own specific facts and applicable law.

FAQs About What to Do After a Car Accident in Denton

Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Denton, Texas?

Yes, in most cases. Texas Transportation Code Section 550.026 requires drivers to report accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage as soon as possible to law enforcement. Even in minor crashes, calling the police is a smart move. An official crash report creates a documented record of the accident, which is important for any insurance claim or legal action. The Denton Police Department handles crash reports within city limits, and the Denton County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated areas of the county.

What if the other driver does not have insurance?

Texas requires all drivers to carry liability insurance under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.051. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you may still have options. Your own uninsured motorist coverage can step in to cover your medical bills and other damages. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.293, a driver who fails to provide proof of financial responsibility after a crash may face a magistrate inquiry and potential vehicle impoundment. An attorney can help you identify every available source of compensation, including your own policy’s uninsured motorist benefits.

Should I accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company?

No. First settlement offers are almost always lower than what your claim is actually worth. Insurance adjusters make early offers before you know the full extent of your injuries or long-term medical needs. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you give up the right to seek any additional compensation, even if your condition worsens. Before accepting any offer, speak with an attorney who can evaluate your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical costs. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before signing anything.

What if I was partly at fault for the crash?

You may still be able to recover compensation. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. Under this rule, you can recover damages as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. However, your total compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Do not assume you cannot recover simply because you may have contributed to the crash. An attorney can help assess the actual fault picture.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?

In most Texas car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing this deadline generally means losing your right to sue, regardless of how strong your case is. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minors or claims against government entities, which can have much shorter notice requirements. Do not wait to get legal advice. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after your crash to protect your rights.

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