Fort Worth Car Accident FAQ
Short answer: Get checked by a provider, don't sign anything from the insurer, and know that Texas generally gives you 2 years to file an injury lawsuit. Answers to the most common questions are below.
These answers apply to crashes in Fort Worth and anywhere else in Texas. Fort Worth-specific questions are at the end.
Right after the crash
What should I do in the first hour after a wreck in Texas?
Check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt or a car can't be driven, swap insurance information and photograph everything. Texas law requires you to report crashes with injuries or undrivable cars right away (§550.026). Full checklist.
Do I have to call the police for a minor fender bender?
It's required if anyone is hurt or a car can't be safely driven (§550.026). Even when it isn't required, a police report makes an injury claim much easier.
What information should I get from the other driver?
Their name, phone, insurance company and policy number, plate and driver's license, plus photos of their insurance card and car. Get witness names and numbers too.
Should I say sorry or talk about fault at the scene?
Stick to the facts and don't guess about fault. Fault decides who pays in Texas, and your share can reduce what you recover (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001).
Should I go to the ER if I feel fine?
Get checked the same day or within a few days. Adrenaline can hide pain, and a gap in care is often used to argue you weren't hurt. Why symptoms show up late.
What photos should I take?
Both cars, the plates, the road and signals, skid marks and any visible injuries. Keep photographing bruises over the following days.
Injuries and symptoms
Why does my neck hurt a day or two after the wreck?
Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash often start hurting once adrenaline wears off. Get evaluated. About whiplash.
Can you get hurt in a 5 mph crash?
Yes, some people do. In one controlled study, 38% of volunteers had whiplash symptoms after a 5 mph speed change, and 29% after 2.5 mph (Brault, 1998). Other studies disagree on severity. See the comparison.
Can a low-speed crash cause a concussion?
Yes. Concussions can happen even in low-speed crashes, for example when the head wraps over the head restraint in a rear-end crash (Elkin et al., 2016). Head injury guide.
What are signs of a concussion after a car accident?
Headache, dizziness, fogginess, memory trouble, irritability, sleep changes and light sensitivity. Concussion signs and care.
Is back pain or numbness after a crash serious?
Tingling, numbness or weakness can mean a pinched nerve or disc injury. Get examined promptly. Back and neck injuries.
Is anxiety about driving after a wreck normal?
Yes, it's common. Tell your provider, because it can be documented as part of your injury. Emotional effects.
No pain means no injury, right?
No. Adrenaline and pain gating can mask an injury. The absence of pain is not proof of the absence of injury.
What kind of doctor should I see after an accident?
A provider who regularly treats and documents crash injuries: a doctor of chiropractic, an MD or DO, or a nurse practitioner. Use the ER for emergencies. Getting treatment.
Paying for care
Who pays my medical bills after a Texas car accident?
Usually your PIP or MedPay first, then health insurance, and in the end the at-fault driver's liability insurer. Texas is an at-fault state. Insurance guide.
How does PIP work in Texas?
PIP pays medical bills and 80% of lost income no matter who caused the crash. It's on your policy unless you rejected it in writing (Ins. Code §1952.152). PIP and MedPay.
PIP vs. MedPay: what’s the difference?
PIP covers medical bills plus lost wages. MedPay covers medical only and is less common in Texas.
What is a letter of protection (LOP)?
A document from your law firm asking a provider to wait for payment until the case resolves, to be paid from the settlement. It's not a guarantee. How an LOP works.
Can I get treated with no money upfront?
Often, yes, through PIP, MedPay or an attorney's letter of protection. It depends on your coverage and case.
What happens to my bills if I lose the case?
Under a letter of protection, you generally still owe the provider. Ask before you start treatment.
Adjusters and settlements
Should I talk to the other driver’s adjuster?
You can decline, and you don't have to give a recorded statement to their insurer. The adjuster works for the insurance company. Talking to adjusters.
Should I sign the release or medical authorization they sent?
Don't sign anything until a lawyer reviews it. A release usually ends your injury claim permanently.
Is the first settlement offer fair?
Often it's low, and accepting usually closes the claim before delayed injuries are treated.
How much is my injury claim worth?
It depends on medical bills, lost wages, pain, fault and policy limits. Nobody can promise a number.
Are the car repair claim and the injury claim separate?
Yes. Settling the car doesn't have to settle your injuries, but read any release carefully. Two separate claims.
Lawyers
Do I need a lawyer if I wasn’t at fault?
It isn't required, but a lawyer handles the insurer while you focus on recovering, especially if you're hurt. Do I need a lawyer?
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
Most work on contingency: no fee upfront, and a percentage only if they recover money.
Will I end up with less money if I hire a lawyer?
The studies behind that claim come from an insurance-industry research group and compare very different cases. What the research shows.
What happens after I ask to be connected with an attorney?
A participating law firm contacts you promptly to review your case for free. Request a consultation.
Texas law and crash reports
How long do I have to file an injury claim in Texas?
Generally 2 years from the crash (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003). Evidence fades sooner, so start early.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can recover if you're 50% or less at fault, reduced by your share. Above 50%, you recover nothing (§33.001).
Is Texas a no-fault state?
No. Texas is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, and their insurer, pays.
What insurance must Texas drivers carry?
30/60/25 liability: $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash and $25,000 for property (§601.072).
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured?
Your UM/UIM coverage pays, unless you rejected it in writing (Ins. Code §1952.101). Uninsured drivers.
How do I get my crash report in Fort Worth?
Buy it from TxDOT CRIS for $6, or $8 certified. Officers have 10 days to file it. Crash report guide.
Fort Worth questions
Which ER is closest after a wreck in Fort Worth?
For serious injuries, JPS Health Network at 1500 S Main St is Tarrant County’s only Level I trauma center. For anything life-threatening, call 911 and let paramedics choose. Fort Worth ERs.
What are the most dangerous roads in Fort Worth?
Inside city limits, I-35W had the most crashes from 2021 to 2025 (11,101), followed by Loop 820 and I-30, in our analysis of TxDOT CRIS data. Full Fort Worth list.
When do most crashes happen around Fort Worth?
Between 4 and 6 p.m., and more on Fridays than any other day, in our analysis of 2021–2025 TxDOT data for Fort Worth and the surrounding area.
I live in Fort Worth but crashed somewhere else. Can I still use this site?
Yes. The steps and Texas law on this site apply anywhere in Texas, and the free consultation form accepts crashes from anywhere in the state.
Want a lawyer to look at your case for free?
If you were hurt in a crash that wasn't your fault, in Fort Worth or anywhere else in Texas, you can ask for a free consultation. A participating personal injury law firm will reach out to you promptly. There's no cost to ask and no obligation.