The Houston Corporate Office of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, proudly supports accident victims throughout Houston and the Greater Harris County area by guiding what to do immediately after a crash. The moments following a collision are often chaotic, stressful, and confusing—yet the steps you take at the scene and in the days that follow can have a major impact on the success of your injury claim.
Our Houston team is committed to helping individuals understand how accident reporting works in Texas, how to document a collision properly, and what evidence is needed to protect your rights. Insurance companies rely heavily on accident reports, photos, witness statements, and medical records to evaluate claims. Without proper documentation, they may minimize your injuries or deny liability altogether.
We help clients navigate these critical steps, ensuring that your accident is thoroughly documented and your legal rights are preserved from the very beginning.
Understanding Accident Reporting in Houston
If you’ve been involved in a vehicle collision—car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, or rideshare accident—Texas law requires specific reporting procedures. The Houston Corporate Office provides guidance on when and how to file an official report, what agencies to contact, and what information needs to be included.
Key elements of Houston accident reporting include:
Contacting Law Enforcement After a Houston Accident
Under Texas law, you must report an accident to police if:
- Anyone is injured
- There is a fatality
- Vehicles cannot be moved
- Property damage exceeds $1,000
Most Houston accidents are handled by:
- Houston Police Department (HPD)
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO)
- Local municipalities (Pasadena PD, Sugar Land PD, etc.)
A police report provides documentation of:
- Driver statements
- Witness accounts
- Diagram of the accident
- Officer observations
- Insurance and driver information
- Potential citations
This report becomes vital evidence in injury claims.
Obtaining the Official Crash Report
Clients can obtain their crash report through:
- HPD Crash Report Portal
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
- The responding police department
Our team helps clients locate, order, and interpret their official report to identify inconsistencies or details that strengthen their case.
Gathering Evidence at the Accident Scene
Even if police respond, your own evidence is essential. We advise clients to collect:
- Photos of all vehicles and damage
- Road conditions, debris, skid marks
- Traffic signs and signal lights
- Close-up photos of injuries
- Driver’s license and insurance information
- Contact details for witnesses
This evidence supports fault determination and combats insurance disputes.
Documenting Injuries and Medical Treatment
Accident victims should seek medical attention immediately. Not only is this critical for your health, but timely treatment helps:
- Document injury severity
- Establish causation
- Prevent insurance companies from arguing delayed injury
We help clients track medical records, bills, and imaging reports.
Preserving Digital Evidence
Modern accident investigations often include:
- Dashcam footage
- Surveillance videos from stores/businesses
- Smartphone photos
- 911 call recordings
- Vehicle black-box data (EDR)
Our investigative team helps secure and preserve this digital evidence before it is deleted.
Avoiding Mistakes That Damage Claims
Our office advises clients to avoid:
- Apologizing or admitting fault
- Making recorded statements to insurance companies
- Signing documents without legal review
- Posting about the accident online
These mistakes often harm or delay claims.