You’re standing on the side of the road, heart racing, trying to process what just happened after a car accident. Your car is damaged, maybe you feel okay, maybe you don’t. What you do in the next 72 hours can make or break your ability to protect your health and your rights.
Here’s some info that might help: Texas saw approximately 3,249 traffic fatalities in 2025, with Tarrant County trending toward 234 deaths—a 14% increase in fatal crashes. These numbers aren’t just statistics. They represent real people who faced split-second decisions after an accident, just like you might right now.
The truth is, most people make critical mistakes in those first three days. They skip the doctor because they “feel fine.” They admit fault at the scene. They give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without understanding the consequences. At Turner Monahan PLLC, we’ve helped many clients who wish they’d known what to do differently in those crucial first hours.
This guide walks you through each critical step, hour by hour, so you can protect both your health and your legal options.
Why the First 72 Hours Can Make or Break Your Case
The window after a crash closes faster than most people realize.
Your body lies to you at first. Adrenaline floods your system, masking pain signals. You might walk away feeling completely normal, only to wake up the next morning unable to turn your neck. This isn’t unusual—it’s how your body responds to trauma.
Medical professionals consistently report that injuries like whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage commonly appear 24-72 hours after impact. Sometimes even later. When you delay seeing a doctor, insurance companies use that gap against you, arguing your injuries came from somewhere else.
Evidence vanishes quickly. Surveillance cameras at nearby businesses? They typically overwrite footage every 3-30 days. Witness memories? They start fading within 48 hours. Those skid marks and debris at the scene? Gone after the next rain or road sweep.
Insurance timelines don’t wait. Most policies require you to report accidents within 24-72 hours. Miss that window, and you might face claim denials or complications that could have been easily avoided.
At Turner Monahan PLLC, we’ve seen how proper documentation in these first 72 hours transforms cases. Strong evidence gathered early makes the difference between fair compensation and settling for far less than you deserve.
Immediate Actions: What to Do at the Accident Scene
Stay calm and work through these steps systematically.
Check for Injuries and Call for Help
Your first priority is safety. Check yourself and all passengers for injuries. Even if everyone seems okay, be aware that some symptoms won’t appear immediately.
Call 911 if:
- Anyone is injured
- You suspect the other driver is intoxicated
- Vehicles can’t be moved safely
- There’s significant property damage
Texas law requires police involvement when there are injuries, deaths, or damage exceeding $1,000. Don’t skip this step.
Move to Safety if Possible
If vehicles can be moved and everyone is uninjured, get them out of traffic lanes. Turn on hazard lights. Set up flares or reflective triangles if you have them. If you can’t move the vehicles, stay inside with seatbelts fastened until help arrives—standing near highway traffic creates serious risks.
Exchange Information (But Watch What You Say)
Get these details from all drivers involved:
- Full names and contact information
- Driver’s license numbers
- Insurance company names and policy numbers
- Vehicle identification numbers (VINs)
- License plate numbers
Here’s what not to say: Avoid phrases like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you” or “This was my fault.” These statements can be interpreted as admissions of liability. Stick to exchanging factual information only.
Document Everything You Can
Your phone is your best tool right now. Take photos and videos of:
- All vehicle damage from multiple angles
- The overall accident scene showing vehicle positions
- Street signs, traffic signals, and road conditions
- Skid marks, debris, or broken glass
- Visible injuries (bruising may not show up until later)
- License plates of all vehicles involved
Get witness information too. Names, phone numbers, and brief notes about what they saw. These people might be crucial later, and they’re standing right in front of you now.
Hours 1-24: Critical Steps That Protect Your Rights
The clock is ticking on several important deadlines.
Get Medical Evaluation Even If You Feel Fine
This cannot be emphasized enough. Go to an emergency room, urgent care, or your doctor within 24 hours, even if you think you’re uninjured.
Here’s why this matters: A Fort Worth personal injury attorney will tell you that insurance companies scrutinize treatment gaps. When you wait several days or weeks to see a doctor, they argue your injuries weren’t serious or didn’t come from the accident.
Common delayed symptoms include:
| Symptom | Typical Onset | What It Might Indicate |
| Neck pain or stiffness | 24-72 hours | Whiplash from sudden movement |
| Persistent headaches | Hours to days | Possible concussion or mild TBI |
| Back or spinal pain | 24-48 hours | Soft tissue damage or disc issues |
| Abdominal pain | Hours to days | Potential internal bleeding (urgent) |
| Confusion or dizziness | Hours to days | Traumatic brain injury symptoms |
Medical records created within hours of your accident provide clear documentation linking your injuries to the crash. This evidence becomes invaluable if you need to file a claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer promptly—typically within 24-72 hours as required by most policies. Provide basic facts:
- Date, time, and location
- Other parties involved
- Basic description of what happened
Keep it factual. You’re fulfilling your policy requirements, not providing a detailed narrative yet.
Obtain the Police Report
If law enforcement responded, get the report number and officer’s information. In Texas, you can typically access reports through the local police department or Texas Department of Transportation after a few days. This report provides an official record of the incident.
Texas reporting requirements: If police don’t respond to your accident, you must file a CR-2 form (Driver’s Crash Report) within 10 days if the accident involved injury, death, or damage over $1,000.
Hours 24-48: Building Your Documentation
Your case gets stronger with proper follow-through.
Follow Up on Medical Care
If any new symptoms appear—neck stiffness, headaches, back pain, numbness—see a healthcare provider immediately. Don’t wait to see if it gets better. Each day you delay creates ammunition for insurance adjusters to minimize your injuries.
Keep detailed records of:
- All medical visits and treatments
- Prescriptions and medications
- Medical bills and receipts
- Time missed from work
Photograph visible injuries like bruises or swelling. These often peak around 24-72 hours after impact. Take timestamped photos in good lighting.
Avoid Discussing Fault with Other Insurers
The other driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly. Be cautious. You’re not required to give a recorded statement immediately, and it’s usually better to wait until you’ve consulted with legal counsel.
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can undermine your claim. They might seem friendly and helpful, but their goal is to minimize what their company pays out.
What to do: Politely decline to give recorded statements until you’ve had time to understand your injuries and options. You can provide basic facts (date, location) without detailed narratives.
Hours 48-72: Protecting Your Long-Term Interests
Evidence preservation becomes critical now.
Gather Additional Evidence
Request surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras before it’s overwritten. Send written requests (email works) to businesses near the accident scene asking them to preserve footage from the date and time of your crash.
Contact witnesses you identified at the scene. Get brief written statements while their memories are fresh. After 48 hours, details start to blur.
Keep a personal journal documenting how injuries affect your daily life: pain levels, activities you can’t do, sleep disturbances, emotional effects. This contemporaneous record becomes powerful evidence later.
Understand Texas Comparative Fault Rules
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system. If you’re found 51% or more responsible for the accident, you can’t recover damages. If you’re less than 51% at fault, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault.
This makes proper documentation and avoiding fault statements even more important. One offhand comment at the scene can come back to haunt you.
Consider Consulting with a Personal Injury Attorney
Early legal guidance helps you understand your rights without any obligation. Many personal injury law firms, including Turner Monahan PLLC, offer free consultations to evaluate your situation.
An attorney can help with:
- Sending preservation letters to secure evidence before it’s destroyed
- Navigating insurance communications to avoid pitfalls
- Understanding the value of your claim based on Texas law
- Protecting you from early lowball settlement offers
- Identifying all potential sources of compensation
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Getting guidance early simply ensures you’re making informed decisions during a stressful time.
Common Mistakes That Weaken Your Case
We’ve seen these patterns repeatedly at Turner Monahan PLLC.
Admitting fault at the scene. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of liability. Stick to facts, not apologies or speculation.
Posting about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor social platforms. A photo of you smiling at a family gathering can be used to argue you’re not really injured. Keep details off Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Delaying medical treatment. “I thought it would get better” doesn’t hold up when insurance companies argue your injuries aren’t accident-related. See a doctor within 24 hours, period.
Giving recorded statements without guidance. Adjusters ask seemingly innocent questions designed to get you to minimize injuries or accept partial fault. Wait to give detailed statements until you understand your full situation.
Signing releases or accepting quick settlements. Early offers rarely reflect the true value of your injuries, especially when long-term effects aren’t yet apparent. Don’t rush into agreements you’ll regret.
Forgetting to document everything. The burden of proof falls on you. Without photos, medical records, and witness statements, claims become difficult to prove.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Understanding what’s available helps you make informed decisions.
In Texas personal injury cases, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic damages:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Non-economic damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
In some cases:
- Exemplary (punitive) damages when gross negligence is involved
The value of each case depends on injury severity, impact on daily life, available insurance coverage, and strength of evidence. This is why proper documentation in those first 72 hours matters so much—it directly affects what you can prove.
When to Involve Legal Help
You don’t need an attorney for every fender bender. But certain situations benefit from professional guidance:
Consider legal consultation if:
- You suffered significant injuries requiring ongoing treatment
- Fault is disputed or unclear
- Multiple vehicles or commercial vehicles were involved
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
- Insurance companies are offering far less than your expenses
- You’re unsure about your legal rights and options
At Turner Monahan PLLC, we focus on serious injury cases where corporate or commercial vehicles are involved. Whether you were hit by a commercial truck, company car, or rideshare driver, we work to ensure responsible parties are held accountable.
The consultation is free, and there’s no obligation. We help you understand your situation so you can make the best decision for your future.
Your Next Steps Start Now
Every hour matters after a car accident.
If you’re reading this after a recent crash, here’s what to prioritize immediately:
If you haven’t yet: See a doctor today, even if you feel okay. Document any visible injuries with photos.
Within 24 hours: Report to your insurance company and obtain the police report number.
Within 48 hours: Follow up on any emerging symptoms and start gathering additional evidence before it disappears.
Within 72 hours: Consider scheduling a free consultation with a personal injury attorney to understand your rights and options.
Your future depends on the actions you take right now. Strong cases are built on proper documentation, prompt medical care, and strategic decision-making in these critical early hours.
At Turner Monahan PLLC, we’re committed to helping Fort Worth residents protect their rights after serious accidents. We understand the stress you’re facing, and we’re here to provide clear guidance when you need it most.
Don’t let those first 72 hours pass without taking the steps that protect your health and your legal options. Your peace of mind and your ability to move forward depend on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I see a doctor after a car accident in Fort Worth, Texas?
See a healthcare provider within 24 hours, even if you feel uninjured. Adrenaline masks pain, and many injuries like whiplash or concussions show symptoms 24-72 hours later. Prompt medical care creates documentation linking injuries to your accident.
Can car accident injuries show up days after the crash?
Yes. Delayed symptoms are common with soft tissue injuries, whiplash, concussions, and internal issues. Symptoms typically emerge within 24-72 hours but can sometimes take longer. This is why immediate medical evaluation is so important.
What should I not say to an insurance company after a car accident in Texas?
Avoid admitting fault, saying “I’m sorry,” or giving detailed recorded statements without legal guidance. Provide only basic facts required by your policy. Don’t minimize your injuries or speculate about what happened.
Do I need a police report for every car accident in Texas?
Texas law requires police involvement for accidents with injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $1,000. If police don’t respond, you must file a CR-2 form within 10 days when these conditions are met.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Texas after a car accident?
Texas generally allows two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly, and insurance deadlines are much shorter. Don’t wait—start documenting and seeking guidance within those first 72 hours.
What evidence should I collect at a car accident scene in Fort Worth?
Take photos of all vehicle damage, the overall scene, road conditions, license plates, and visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. Document everything with your phone before leaving the scene.
When should I talk to a lawyer after a car accident in Fort Worth?
Consult an attorney early if you have significant injuries, disputed fault, commercial vehicle involvement, or insurance complications. Free consultations at firms like Turner Monahan PLLC help you understand your options without obligation or upfront costs.
