You didn’t expect it to happen. One moment you’re merging onto I-635 in Dallas, waiting at the light at US-75 and Campbell Road in Richardson, or crossing Highway 380 in McKinney — and the next, impact. A car accident turns your life upside down in seconds. The decisions you make in the hours and days that follow can make or break your injury claim.
Step 1: Get to Safety and Call 911
If you can move safely, get out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Then call 911 right away — even if the crash seems minor. A police report creates an official record of what happened. Insurance companies will ask for it, and if your case ever goes to court, that report becomes critical evidence.
Never skip this step, even if the other driver says “let’s just exchange info and handle it ourselves.” That’s a setup for them to change their story later.
Why a Police Report Matters on North Texas Roads
High-traffic corridors like the Dallas North Tollway, the Sam Rayburn Tollway, and I-35E see accidents resolved and cleared fast. Without a police report, there may be no official record that the crash happened at all.
Step 2: Document Everything at the Scene
Your smartphone is your best tool right now. The more evidence you gather, the stronger your case will be.
- Both vehicles from multiple angles
- All visible damage to property and surroundings
- Any visible injuries — cuts, bruises, or road rash
- Skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs
- The other driver’s license plate, insurance card, and driver’s license
- Names and contact information of any witnesses
Many intersections across North Texas — including those along Preston Road, Legacy Drive, Coit Road, and the Tollway — have traffic cameras. Your attorney can formally request that footage before it’s overwritten. Physical evidence disappears fast.
Step 3: Get Medical Attention the Same Day
Even if you feel fine, go to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic immediately. Adrenaline is powerful — it masks pain from whiplash, soft tissue injuries, or internal trauma for hours or even days after a crash.
Insurance adjusters use gaps in medical treatment against you. If you wait three days to see a doctor, they’ll argue your injuries weren’t serious. Getting checked out right away protects your health and your claim.
Step 4: Do Not Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
The at-fault driver’s insurance company may call you within hours of the crash, sounding friendly and sympathetic. Don’t accept any offer. Don’t give a recorded statement. Don’t sign anything.
Those adjusters are trained professionals. Every question they ask is designed to collect information that reduces what they owe you. A quick settlement offer is almost always a fraction of what your claim is actually worth.
Step 5: Call a Car Accident Lawyer in North Texas First
Before you respond to any insurance company, talk to a personal injury attorney. At Ford Law, consultations are completely free — and there is no fee unless we win your case.
Matthew Ford spent years as defense counsel for one of the largest insurance companies in the world, handling exactly the type of claims you’re now facing. He knows how adjusters evaluate injuries, what tactics they use to reduce or deny payouts, which arguments move the needle, and how to build a case that gets results. When you hire Ford Law, you work directly with Matthew Ford — not a paralegal, not a case manager.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Texas?
| Type of Damage | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | ER visits, surgeries, therapy, future care |
| Lost wages | Income lost while you recovered |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain and emotional distress |
| Property damage | Vehicle repair or replacement |
Time Is Working Against You — Here’s Why
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. But the real deadline is much sooner. Surveillance footage from businesses along Preston Road and the Tollway gets overwritten within days. Witnesses forget details or become unreachable. The at-fault driver’s insurer begins building their defense the moment the accident is reported.
Injured on the Tollway, I-35, US-75, or Anywhere in DFW? Call Ford Law Today.
Ford Law represents injured clients across the entire North Texas region, including Dallas and Dallas County, Plano, Allen, McKinney, and Collin County, Denton, Lewisville, and Denton County, and Richardson, Garland, Irving, and surrounding cities.
Call (214) 227-9972 for a free consultation — no fee unless we win.
Ford Law is a personal injury law firm serving injured clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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Injured in a car accident? Learn more about our car accident legal services or contact attorney Matthew Ford for a free consultation. As a former insurance defense lawyer, he knows how to maximize your claim.