After a Car Accident in Texas: What Should Be in Your “Starter Pack”?

A car accident can happen in seconds, but the information and documents associated with it can continue to accumulate for weeks or even months afterward.

Between insurance information, photographs, medical records, medical bills, and the police report, it can be difficult to know what you should collect and what may become important later.

Think of this as your after-the-accident starter pack: the information and documents you may want to gather and keep organized following a car accident in Texas.

1. Your Phone

Your phone can be one of your most useful tools immediately after an accident. If you are able to do so safely, you can use it to call 911, photograph the scene, exchange contact information, and make notes about what happened.

It can also help you keep important information in one place while details of the accident are still fresh.

What should you photograph after an accident?

If conditions are safe, consider taking photographs or videos of:

• Damage to each vehicle
• The overall accident scene
• Vehicle positions
• License plates
• Traffic signals and signs
• Road and weather conditions
• Skid marks or debris
• Any other visible conditions that may help document the scene

Try to take both close-up and wider photographs. The goal is to preserve an accurate picture of the scene as it appeared following the collision.

2. A Police Report or Case Number

When law enforcement responds to an accident, make sure you know how to obtain the resulting crash report and keep any case, incident, or report number you are given.

A police report may contain useful information about the collision, such as the drivers involved, vehicle and insurance information, location, witnesses, and other details recorded by the responding officer.

Keep the report or case number with your other accident-related documents so it is easy to locate later.

3. Auto Insurance Information

Exchange insurance and identifying information with the other driver when appropriate.

Information to collect may include:

• Driver’s name and contact information
• Insurance company
• Policy information
• Driver’s license information
• License plate number
• Vehicle make and model

It can be helpful to photograph the other driver’s insurance card rather than relying solely on handwritten information.

You should also keep copies of communications you receive from insurance companies after the accident.

4. Photos and Videos of the Accident

Photos deserve their own place in your accident file.

Vehicle damage can be repaired. Cars can be moved or sold. Road conditions can change. Debris can disappear. Photographs and videos taken shortly after a collision can preserve details that may no longer be available later.

Do not assume that a detail is too small to photograph. If you think it could be relevant, document it.

It is also a good idea to preserve the original files rather than keeping only screenshots or copies posted to social media.

5. Medical Records

If you receive medical care following an accident, your medical records can become an important part of documenting what happened afterward.

Depending on your treatment, records may come from several different providers, including:

• Emergency rooms
• Urgent care facilities
• Primary care physicians
• Imaging facilities
• Physical therapy providers
• Specialists

Keep track of every provider you visit following the collision. Having a simple list of provider names, appointment dates, and locations can make it easier to identify and obtain your records later.

6. Medical Bills

Medical records and medical bills are not the same thing, so it is important to keep track of both.

Save bills, statements, invoices, explanations of benefits, and other documents you receive relating to medical care after the accident.

Even if you believe your health insurance or another party will ultimately be responsible for a bill, keeping a copy can help you maintain a complete record of accident-related expenses.

Keep Everything Together

You do not need a complicated filing system.

Consider creating one physical folder and one digital folder specifically for the accident. As new documents arrive, save them there.

Your accident file might include:

• Police report and case number
• Driver and insurance information
• Photos and videos
• Medical provider information
• Medical records
• Medical bills and statements
• Insurance correspondence
• Receipts for accident-related expenses
• Notes about important phone calls or conversations

Keeping these materials organized from the beginning can make it much easier to locate information when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I did not take enough photos at the scene?

Do not assume that failing to photograph something means there is nothing else you can do. Preserve whatever photographs, videos, documents, and information you do have. There may also be other sources of information depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Should I keep documents even if they do not seem important?

When in doubt, consider keeping them. It is generally easier to determine later that a document is unnecessary than to recreate a document that was discarded.

Should I keep texts and emails from the insurance company?

Yes. Consider keeping copies of written communications relating to the accident and claim, including emails, letters, and relevant text messages.

How long should I keep my accident documents?

Because the appropriate timeframe can depend on the circumstances, avoid throwing away accident-related documents while a claim or related matter remains unresolved. An attorney can provide guidance based on your particular situation.

Questions After a Texas Car Accident?

You do not have to know which documents will ultimately matter before you start organizing them.

If you have been injured in a car accident and have questions about the claims process, Texas Personal Injury Experts, PLLC can review your situation and discuss your options.

Texas Personal Injury Experts, PLLC
1609 Nueces Street
Austin, TX
833-300-0000
texaspersonalinjuryexperts.com

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its individual facts and circumstances.

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