What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in Brownsville

Car Accidents · Liz Valdez Garza · 2026-11-06

A car accident turns an ordinary day upside down in a second. Whether it happened on Boca Chica Boulevard, the expressway or a quiet street in your neighborhood, the steps you take in the first 24 hours can make a real difference — for your health and for any claim you may have later.

Here is a simple checklist to follow, even if you feel fine.

1. Make sure everyone is safe and call 911

Check yourself and your passengers first. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. If the cars can be moved and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.

In Texas, drivers involved in a crash that causes injury or death must stop and give aid, and crashes involving injury, death or significant damage must be reported to the police. Calling 911 handles both — it gets help on the way and puts an officer on the scene to document what happened.

2. Get the police report information

Before you leave the scene, ask the officer for their name, badge number and how to get a copy of the crash report. In Texas, the official crash report is usually a Form CR-3, and you can typically request it online through TxDOT once it has been filed. That report often becomes one of the most important documents in your case.

3. Collect information — and photos

Exchange information with the other driver: name, phone number, driver's license number, license plate and insurance company. Then use your phone to document everything:

• Damage to every vehicle involved, from several angles
• The position of the cars, skid marks, debris and traffic signals
• Your injuries — cuts, bruises, swelling — even if they seem minor
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses

Witnesses leave quickly and scenes get cleaned up fast. Photos taken in the first hour are often the best evidence you will ever have.

4. Get checked by a doctor — even if you feel okay

Adrenaline can hide pain for hours or even days. Injuries like whiplash, concussions and back injuries often show up later. Getting seen by a doctor, urgent care or the emergency room within 24 hours protects your health first — and it also creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash.

Insurance companies look for gaps. If you wait two weeks to see a doctor, they may argue your injuries came from something else.

5. Be careful what you say

At the scene and afterward, stick to the facts. Avoid saying "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see them" — simple, polite words can later be twisted into an admission of fault. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule: if you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages, and any share of fault you carry reduces what you can recover.

The same goes for social media. Don't post about the accident, your injuries or your recovery. Insurance adjusters do look.

6. Notify your insurance company — but don't give a recorded statement to theirs

Your own policy likely requires you to report the accident promptly, so let your insurer know it happened. The other driver's insurance company is a different story. Their adjuster may call within a day, sound friendly and ask to record your statement. You are not required to give one, and it is wise to speak with an attorney first.

7. Keep everything in one place

Start a folder for the crash report number, photos, medical paperwork, receipts, repair estimates and notes about missed work. Write down how you feel each day. These details are easy to forget and hard to prove later.

8. Talk to a personal injury attorney

You don't have to figure this out alone. A free consultation can help you understand what your claim may be worth, who is responsible and how to deal with the insurance companies. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit — but evidence fades much faster than that, so it pays to act early.

Attorney Liz Valdez Garza has helped families across Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley after serious car accidents. If you or someone you love was hurt, call 866-LA-LEONA or send your information through the free case review form on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Texas?

Texas law requires crashes involving injury, death or significant property damage to be reported. Even for a minor crash, a police report creates an official record that can help your claim, so calling is usually the safer choice.

How do I get a copy of my Texas crash report?

The official report is usually a Form CR-3. Once the officer files it, you can typically request a copy online through TxDOT's crash report system.

What if I didn't feel hurt until the next day?

That is very common. See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear and tell them you were in a car accident so it is documented in your medical records.

Valdez Garza Law Firm, P.C. · 1105 East 6th Street, Brownsville, TX 78520 · 866-LA-LEONA (866) 525-3662