Short answer
What to do first
Check for injuries and immediate hazards first. Call 911 when anyone is hurt, the scene is dangerous, vehicles cannot be moved, or emergency help is needed. If no one is injured and the vehicle can be moved safely, Texas guidance says to move it out of traffic before exchanging information.
Safety first
Before checking the vehicle
- Call 911 for injuries, fire, fuel leakage, blocked lanes, an unsafe scene, or any immediate danger.
- Do not stand between vehicles or in active traffic to inspect damage or take photos.
- Stay away from downed power lines, leaking fluids, smoke, and unstable vehicles.
- This guide provides general safety information, not legal advice.
Immediate danger, serious injury, smoke, flames, fuel odor, or an active traffic lane? Call 911 and follow emergency instructions.
1. Check people before property
- Check yourself and passengers for injury.
- Call 911 and follow dispatcher instructions when anyone may be injured.
- Do not move an injured person unless remaining creates an immediate life threat.
- Warn others about traffic or fire danger without putting yourself in the roadway.
2. Move out of traffic when appropriate
TxDOT advises that when no one is hurt and the vehicle can be driven, move it out of the flow of traffic to a safer place. If the vehicle cannot be moved, call police and emergency services as needed and follow their instructions.
3. Exchange and document information safely
- Exchange names, contact details, driver’s-license information, vehicle details, and insurance information as appropriate.
- Record the location, time, direction of travel, and basic facts while they are fresh.
- Take photos only from a safe position.
- Get witness contact information when available.
- Avoid arguing, speculating about injuries, or making promises about fault or payment.
4. Decide whether the vehicle is safe to drive
- Do not drive with leaking fluid, smoke, warning lights, severe tire or wheel damage, broken steering, rubbing bodywork, shattered visibility areas, deployed airbags, or loose parts.
- A vehicle can have hidden damage even when it still moves.
- When uncertain, request towing to a repair destination rather than testing it in traffic.
When not to continue
Stop and get help when the situation is unsafe
- Do not drive a vehicle with compromised steering, braking, tires, wheels, lighting, visibility, or fluid containment.
- Do not enter traffic to retrieve debris or photograph the scene.
- Do not accept roadside repair or transport directions from an unverified stranger.
Roadside assistance or towing?
Roadside assistance may help
Minor roadside help may be appropriate only after emergency needs are handled and the vehicle’s condition is understood.
Towing may be appropriate
Accident recovery or towing is appropriate when the vehicle cannot be moved safely, may have hidden damage, is blocking traffic, or needs transport to a repair facility or another authorized destination.
What to tell Zayn Towing
Share the details you can observe safely. Do not step into traffic or approach a hazard to collect more information.
- Exact crash location and safest access
- Whether emergency responders are present
- Vehicle year, make, and model
- Visible damage and whether airbags deployed
- Whether wheels roll and steering works
- Keys availability
- Destination and any police instructions
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this situation
Should I move my car after a crash in Texas?
TxDOT says that if no one is hurt and the vehicle can be driven, move it out of the flow of traffic to a safer place. Follow police or emergency instructions for the actual scene.
When should I call police?
TxDOT says to call when an injury or fatality is involved, vehicles cannot be moved, intoxication is suspected, a driver has no insurance, or a driver leaves the scene. Call 911 for immediate danger.
Can I choose where the vehicle is towed?
Destination options can depend on the scene, vehicle ownership, law-enforcement direction, and current service availability. Ask dispatch and the responding authorities.
Will insurance pay for towing?
Coverage varies by policy and circumstances. Contact your insurer for coverage questions; Zayn confirms current towing pricing separately.
Safety references
This guide provides general roadside information. Your vehicle owner’s manual and emergency responders’ instructions control for your specific situation.