Houston, TX is the 4th largest city in the United States, it’s also one of the worst cities for serious auto accidents. Reporting an auto accident not only ensures that you comply with state law, but it also protects your rights and interests, like your auto insurance policy.
Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but following the correct procedures for reporting the accident is crucial. In a massive city like Houston, Texas, auto accidents happen every hour of the day. This is why reporting auto accidents properly is so important.
By following these five steps we’ll help you meet your legal obligations and help you protect yourself after an auto accident in Houston, TX.
Step 1: Get to Safety
If possible, carefully move your vehicle off the roadway to a safe location like the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers and prevent further collisions.
If the accident is minor with no injuries, skip step 2. However, call 911 immediately if there are injuries or severe damage.
Step 2: Call Houston Police (if necessary)
Texas law requires drivers to report accidents resulting in injury, death, or damage exceeding $1,000 to local police. However, even for seemingly minor incidents, it’s wise to report the accident.
Contact Houston Police at 911 for emergencies or (713) 884-3131 for non-emergencies.
Step 3: Thoroughly Document the Scene
As soon as you are in a safe location, start to collect detailed evidence and information.
- Exchange insurance and contact details with all other drivers involved.
- Take pictures and/or video of the accident scene thoroughly – vehicle damage and surroundings affected by the accident.
- Even though this can be tough, gather the names and contact info for any witnesses.
This will greatly help you, especially if your insurance disputes over who’s at fault.
Step 4: Get an Accident Report (highly recommended)
When you speak with local police, provide a full, honest account of what happened. Request a copy of the official police report containing crucial facts like accident time/location, sequence of events, and identifying details for all involved parties.
If police were called to the accident, just make sure to gather information from the officer you speak to on how to follow up about the accident report.
Step 5: Notify Your Auto Insurance Provider
Most insurance policies require reporting accidents within 24-72 hours. Contact your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. You’ll likely have to participate in an interview to give your statement of how the auto accident happened.
They’ll ask for a police report number, documentation, and evidence collected at the scene including any witness/bystander information.
Auto accidents are stressful and expensive to deal with. But properly reporting and documenting accidents helps minimize how long the stress can last, ensuring you receive appropriate compensation for damages or injuries from an auto accident in Houston.
