What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Worth
Short answer: Call 911 if anyone is hurt, photograph the scene, swap insurance information, and get checked by a provider experienced with accident injuries within a few days, even if you feel fine. Do not sign anything from the insurance adjuster before you talk to a lawyer.
Inside Fort Worth, call 911 and the Fort Worth Police Department will usually respond. On a freeway like I-35W or Loop 820, get out of traffic first if your car can move.
The first hour after a crash in Fort Worth
Your first job is safety, then reporting, then evidence. Texas law requires drivers to notify police right away when a crash causes injury, death, or a car that can't be driven safely (Tex. Transp. Code §550.026). Inside the city, that's the Fort Worth Police Department.
- Check everyone for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Move to safety if you can, and turn on your hazard lights.
- Get the other driver's name, phone, insurance company, policy number, plate and driver's license. Photograph their insurance card.
- Photograph both cars, the plates, the road, traffic signals, skid marks and any visible injuries.
- Get witness names and phone numbers.
- Stick to the facts. Don't guess about fault or apologize.
Fort Worth details: police, ERs and the roads where crashes happen
Crashes inside Fort Worth are usually worked by the Fort Worth Police Department; crashes on some highways may be worked by Texas DPS or the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. For serious injuries in Fort Worth, JPS Health Network is the only Level I trauma center in Tarrant County.
- JPS Health Network (John Peter Smith Hospital), 1500 S Main St, Fort Worth: hospital emergency room
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, Fort Worth: hospital emergency room
- Medical City Alliance, 3101 N Tarrant Pkwy, Fort Worth: hospital emergency room (alliance area)
- Texas Health Alliance, 10864 Texas Health Trail, Fort Worth: hospital emergency room (alliance area)
- Medical City ER Saginaw, 727 W Bailey Boswell Rd, Saginaw: freestanding 24/7 er (not a trauma center)
In our analysis of TxDOT data for 2021–2025, the roads with the most crashes inside Fort Worth city limits were I-35W, I-820 (Loop 820), I-30. The busiest crash spot in town was Business 287 & I-35W. See the full Fort Worth crash data.
The first few days: get checked even if you feel fine
Injuries are often not obvious the same day or even the next couple of days. Most of us are taught to push through discomfort, and adrenaline can hide pain. A hospital or primary care visit may end with "you're fine, it'll go away," but many people get worse once the adrenaline wears off.
- See a provider who regularly examines and documents accident injuries. That can be a doctor of chiropractic, a family nurse practitioner, an MD or a DO. See who to see after a crash.
- Keep photographing bruises as they change over the next days.
- Write down new symptoms as they appear: stiffness, headaches, tingling, trouble sleeping.
- Order your police crash report once it's filed. Here's how to get your crash report.
Learn why pain can show up days later.
Do not sign anything from the adjuster before talking to a lawyer
Do not sign anything from the insurance company until you've consulted a lawyer. Adjusters often reach out within days, sometimes with a quick settlement offer. Their job is to save the company money. A signed release usually ends your injury claim for good, even if injuries show up later.
A small early check can feel good, but it may not cover the cost of treating pain and injuries that appear down the road. That's our view, based on what we see after crashes. Read how to handle the adjuster's call.
Your car and your injuries are two separate claims
The property damage claim (your car) and the injury claim (your body) are separate, and they should be handled separately. Many personal injury lawyers handle only the injury claim. Read more on property damage vs. injury claims.
Common questions after a Fort Worth crash
Do I have to call the police for a minor fender bender?
Texas requires it if anyone is hurt or a car can’t be safely driven (Tex. Transp. Code §550.026). Even when it isn’t required, a police report makes an injury claim much easier.
Should I say sorry or talk about fault at the scene?
Stick to the facts and don’t guess about fault. In Texas, your share of fault can reduce what you recover, and above 50% you recover nothing (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001).
Do I need to tell my own insurance company?
Most policies require prompt notice, so report the basic facts. You don’t have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
More answers on our FAQ page. Not sure if you need a lawyer? Read do I need a lawyer?
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.