Personal Injury Law and Auto Accidents: What Every Texas Driver Should Know

Most drivers will be involved in at least one traffic accident during their lifetime. That’s not pessimism — it’s statistics. And when it happens, the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days afterward can have a significant impact on your health, your legal rights, and your financial recovery. Whether you’re reviewing this information as a precaution or dealing with the aftermath of a collision right now, understanding Texas accident law and what your obligations are is the first step. More about our Car Injury Attorneys in San Antonio here.

Seat Belts: Your Most Important Safety Tool

Texas law requires every driver and passenger age six and older — or anyone weighing 60 pounds or more — to wear a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. If you’re driving with a passenger under 16 who isn’t buckled, you’re the one who gets the ticket. Children under six years old or under 60 pounds must be secured in an approved child passenger restraint system, not just a standard seat belt.

Beyond the legal requirement, the safety case for seat belts is overwhelming. Roughly one in three people will be injured or killed in a traffic accident over the course of their lifetime, and consistent seat belt use remains the single most effective way to survive a serious collision. Children 12 and under are safest in the back seat. Infants up to 20 pounds and approximately one year of age should ride in a rear-facing car seat secured in the back — never in the front if the vehicle has a passenger-side airbag. Toddlers over 20 pounds who have outgrown the infant seat should transition to an approved forward-facing seat, also in the back.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas

Understanding what causes accidents is useful both for prevention and for evaluating fault after a crash. The most common causes of motor vehicle collisions in Texas include distracted driving, excessive speed, driving on the wrong side of the road, improper turns, failure to yield the right of way, and running stop signs or signals. In personal injury claims, establishing which of these factors contributed to the accident — and who was responsible — forms the foundation of liability.

One practical note on accident scenes: when traffic reports reference blocked lanes, they number them left to right — Lane 1 is the leftmost, Lane 2 is next, and so on. If you’re approaching an active accident scene, take an alternate route when possible. If you must pass through, keep moving at a safe speed. Slowing to look creates secondary collision risk and impedes emergency responders.

If You’re First on the Scene

Arriving at an accident scene before emergency services is stressful but manageable if you know what to do. Pull completely off the road so you don’t block access, then check for anyone who may need help — including searching nearby grass or brush for victims who may have been thrown from a vehicle. Call 911 immediately, or have someone else call while you stay with the injured.

When you call, give your location precisely — cross streets, freeway ramp details, nearby landmarks — and describe how many people appear to need help and their apparent condition. Don’t hang up until the dispatcher releases you. Use flares or emergency triangles to mark the scene if you have them, but never if there’s a fuel leak or smell of gasoline. Don’t smoke near any crash site. Never move an injured person unless they face immediate danger from fire or another active hazard — incorrect movement can turn a manageable injury into a catastrophic one. Turn off the ignition of any disabled vehicles if it’s safe to do so.

Your Legal Obligations After a Crash

Texas law requires you to stop if you’re involved in a collision — no exceptions. Leaving the scene is a criminal offense, even if you believe the accident was minor or the other driver was at fault. You’re required to exchange your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance with the other driver and any responding officer. Your insurance information must include the company name, address, and policy number.

Reporting requirements depend on severity. If anyone is injured or killed, report to law enforcement within 24 hours. You or your insurance representative must also file an SR 1 form with the DMV within ten days if there are injuries, fatalities, or property damage exceeding $750 — regardless of fault, and even if the accident occurred on private property. This is separate from any police report filed at the scene.

If you hit a parked vehicle and can’t locate the owner, leave a note with your name, address, and contact information secured to the vehicle, then report to local police immediately. If you strike an animal, pull over, try to locate the owner, and contact the nearest humane society or law enforcement if no owner is found. Don’t attempt to move an injured animal.

Texas Insurance Requirements

Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage — the 30/60/25 standard. This is the legal floor, not a recommendation. In a serious accident, these minimums are frequently insufficient to cover actual damages, which is why carrying uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is strongly worth considering.

Driving without insurance doesn’t just risk a citation — it can result in license suspension if you’re involved in an accident. If your coverage lapses and a crash occurs, the DMV can verify your status and suspend your driving privileges. Reinstatement requires proof of financial responsibility maintained for three years.

What to Keep in Your Vehicle

Keep the following information in your glove box so it’s accessible when you need it most. Your insurance company name and policy number, your registration card, and your driver’s license should always be in the vehicle. In the event of an accident, you’ll also want to document the other driver’s date of birth, driver’s license number and state, name and address, license plate number and state, insurance company name, policy number and expiration date, and the name and address of the registered vehicle owner if different from the driver.

This information is what you’ll need to complete the SR 1 form if reporting to the DMV is required. The form for reporting injuries or deaths is available at any DMV or CHP office or downloadable from the DMV website.

If You’ve Been Hurt — Contact a Car Accident Attorney

If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you have legal rights — but protecting them means acting quickly. Get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay initially. Many injuries, including whiplash and soft tissue damage, don’t fully manifest until hours or days after a crash. Document everything you can at the scene and follow up consistently with medical treatment. Do not give recorded statements to the at-fault driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

The car accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw have been representing injured San Antonio drivers and their families for over 34 years. If you’ve been hurt and believe someone else caused the crash, contact us to discuss what your case is worth and what we can do to help you recover everything you’re owed.