How to Report a Car Accident in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Texas law requires every driver involved in an accident to stop immediately (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021). Do not leave the scene. If you can do so safely, move your vehicle to the shoulder or out of the travel lanes to avoid additional collisions — Texas law permits this (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.022). Turn on your hazard lights.

Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone in the other vehicle for injuries. If anyone is injured — even if injuries seem minor — call 911 immediately. Many injuries from car accidents, including whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, do not show obvious symptoms right away. Err on the side of calling for help.

Do not move anyone who appears seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger (such as a vehicle fire). Wait for EMS to arrive. If someone is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth if you can do so safely.

For any accident with injuries, a fatality, or a vehicle that cannot be moved, call 911. Dallas and Fort Worth 911 dispatch will send police, fire, and ambulance services. When you call, give the dispatcher the exact location (street names, mile markers, nearby landmarks), the number of vehicles involved, and whether anyone is injured.

For minor non-injury accidents in Dallas, you can call the Dallas Police non-emergency line at (214) 744-4444. In Fort Worth, call (817) 392-4222. For accidents in suburban cities (Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, etc.), call that city's police department. If the accident occurred on a state highway or interstate, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may respond.

Be aware that during peak hours or high-call-volume periods, Dallas and Fort Worth police may not dispatch an officer to minor fender-benders. If an officer is not going to respond, the dispatcher will tell you. In that case, you are still required to exchange information with the other driver and document the accident yourself.

Texas law (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.023) requires drivers to exchange the following information at the scene: your name, address, vehicle registration number (license plate), and the name and address of your insurance company. You should also exchange driver's license numbers and phone numbers.

If the other driver is uncooperative or refuses to share information, note their license plate number and a description of their vehicle. Take a photo of their license plate if possible. Report the situation to the police — an officer can compel the exchange of information.

If you hit a parked or unattended vehicle and cannot locate the owner, Texas law (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.024) requires you to leave a written note in a conspicuous place on the vehicle with your name, address, and a description of what happened. Then report the accident to the nearest police department.

Whether or not police respond, you should document everything at the scene. Use your phone to take photos and video of: all vehicles from multiple angles showing damage; the overall accident scene including lane markings, traffic signs, and signals; skid marks, debris, or fluid spills on the road; weather and lighting conditions; any visible injuries; and the other driver's license plate, driver's license, and insurance card.

Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Witnesses are often willing to help at the scene but become difficult to locate later. Ask if they saw what happened and whether they would be willing to provide a statement if needed.

Write down your own account of what happened while it is fresh in your memory. Include the date, time, direction of travel, speed, traffic conditions, and exactly what you saw before, during, and after the impact. This contemporaneous account can be valuable evidence if your case goes to trial months or years later.

When a police officer responds to the scene, they will investigate the accident and file a CR-3 (Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report) with TxDOT. The officer will interview each driver and any witnesses, examine the vehicles and the scene, measure distances, and make a determination about contributing factors and possible fault.

The officer may issue traffic citations to one or both drivers. Common citations after DFW accidents include failure to yield right of way, following too closely, running a red light, speeding, failure to control speed, and driving while intoxicated. A citation is not conclusive proof of fault, but it is strong evidence that supports a personal injury claim.

At the end of the investigation, the officer will typically give each driver a blue exchange card with basic accident information and a crash report number. Keep this card — you will need the report number to request a copy of the CR-3 later through TxDOT CRIS or from the police department's records division.

Texas is a fault-based (tort) state for auto insurance, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance is responsible for paying damages. Most insurance policies require you to report an accident promptly — typically within a reasonable time, and many policies specify 24 to 72 hours. Failing to report on time could jeopardize your coverage.

When you call your insurance company, provide the basic facts: date, time, and location of the accident; the other driver's name and insurance information; a brief description of what happened; and the police report number if available. Do not admit fault or speculate about who caused the accident. Stick to the facts.

If you were injured, be cautious when speaking with the other driver's insurance company. Their adjuster may contact you within days of the accident. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Many personal injury attorneys in Dallas-Fort Worth recommend consulting with an attorney before speaking with the at-fault driver's insurer.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious criminal offense in Texas. If the accident involves injuries, leaving the scene is a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021). If the accident results in death, it is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. Even for property-damage-only accidents, leaving the scene is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.022).

Beyond criminal penalties, failing to stop and report an accident can severely damage your personal injury claim. If you left the scene, the other driver's insurance company will use that fact against you to argue you were at fault or that your injuries were not serious. Always stop, report, and document.

If you were injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth accident, take our free 2-minute assessment. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Texas's filing deadline for your specific claim, how the accident report affects your case, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Reporting your accident is the first step. Understanding your rights is the next one. Our assessment is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to decide what comes next.