What to do after a car accident in San Antonio: a step-by-step guide

A car accident in San Antonio turns a normal drive on I-10, Loop 410 or Bandera Road into a stack of decisions you never planned to make. What you do in the first hours and days after a crash affects your health, your insurance claim, and whether you can recover the cost of what happened. This guide walks through what to do after a car accident, in order.

Quick answer: get safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, exchange information, document the scene, see a doctor, report the crash to your insurer, and talk to a lawyer before you give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement.

What should you do at the scene of the accident?

Make sure everyone is safe, call 911 if anyone is injured, and move the cars out of traffic if you can do so safely. Texas law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who is hurt. Do not argue about fault at the scene.

Use your phone to collect what you will need later:

What to collect	Why it matters
Photos of both vehicles, the road and any skid marks	Shows how the crash happened before the cars are moved or repaired
The other driver’s name, phone, license and insurance card	You need it to open a claim with their insurer
Names and numbers of witnesses	Neutral witnesses carry weight when fault is disputed
The officer’s name and the report number	Lets you order the crash report later
Photos of your injuries	Bruising and swelling fade before a claim is settled

Do you need a police report?

A police report is not required for every fender bender, but it is strongly recommended whenever someone is hurt. The responding officer completes a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, which you can buy online from TxDOT once it is filed. Insurance adjusters rely on it, so check it for mistakes.

Why should you see a doctor right away?

See a doctor within a day or two, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides pain, and injuries like whiplash, concussions and back injuries often show up later. A prompt visit protects your health and creates a record linking the injury to the crash. Gaps in treatment are one of the first things adjusters use to reduce a claim.

Keep every bill, receipt and appointment note. If you miss work, keep a record of the days and hours.

What should you say to the insurance companies?

Report the crash to your own insurer promptly and stick to the facts. Be careful with the other driver’s insurance company. You do not have to give them a recorded statement, and anything you say can be used to argue you were at fault or not really hurt. It is usually better to speak with a lawyer first.

Check your own policy too. Texas insurers must offer personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and many San Antonio drivers have it without realizing. Read more about who pays when the other driver has little or no insurance.

How long do you have to file a claim in Texas?

In most Texas car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. That sounds like a long time, but evidence disappears quickly, and claims against a city or county vehicle can require written notice within months. The full breakdown is in How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Texas?

When should you call a car accident lawyer?

Call a lawyer if you were hurt, if fault is disputed, if a commercial vehicle or rideshare was involved, or if the insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly. A free consultation tells you whether you have a case before you sign anything. If you were in an Uber or Lyft, see who pays after a rideshare accident in Texas.

Why choose Bergmann Law Firm after a San Antonio car accident?

Attorney Ryan Bergmann was born and raised in San Antonio, and his office is on Bandera Road near Leon Valley. Injury cases are run day to day by a case manager with decades of experience, so your calls get answered. Clients say Ryan gives them a straight answer about what their case is realistically worth.

Learn more about how the firm handles car accident cases, or request a free consultation.