What to Do After a Car Accident in the Rio Grande Valley

A car accident can leave you shaken, hurting, and unsure of what to do next. In Texas, a few early steps can protect both your recovery and your legal rights. Here is what we tell our neighbors across the Rio Grande Valley.

1. Get to safety and check for injuries

Your health comes first. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe, move them out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. On busy Valley roads like US-83 or Expressway 281, staying in a travel lane can be dangerous.

2. Call the police and get a report

Texas law generally requires you to report a crash that causes injury, death, or significant property damage. A responding officer will usually prepare a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). That report can become important evidence later, so ask how to obtain a copy.

3. Document the scene

If you are physically able, gather information before you leave:

• Photos of all vehicles, damage, the road, skid marks, traffic signs, and your injuries
• The other driver’s name, license, insurance, and license plate
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
• The location, time, and weather conditions

4. Be careful what you say

It is natural to want to smooth things over, but avoid apologizing or admitting fault at the scene. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule: if you are found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering. Stick to the facts when speaking with police and the other driver.

5. See a doctor — even if you feel “fine”

Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Concussions, soft-tissue damage, and internal injuries may not appear for hours or days. Getting prompt medical care protects your health and creates a record linking your injuries to the crash.

6. Know your deadline

In Texas, the deadline to file most personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the crash. Some claims — for example, those against a governmental entity — can carry much shorter notice deadlines. Acting early helps preserve evidence and protect your options.

How a lawyer can help

An attorney can handle the insurance companies, gather evidence such as the crash report and any available video, work with your medical providers, and pursue the compensation you may be owed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain. At Youngs Rosillo Law, consultations are free and confidential, and on injury cases you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney–client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Texas attorney. Attorney advertising.