A collision on a crowded interstate can leave you exposed to fast-moving traffic. That danger may add to the distress you already feel after the crash.
If you suffered injuries on I-35 or I-10, knowing what to do after the collision can help you avoid further harm and preserve evidence for your compensation claim. The steps below cover your immediate response at the scene and follow-up during recovery.
Move out of traffic when safe
Turn on your hazard lights. For a noninjury crash, move your car to a nearby safe location if you can drive it without causing further damage or danger. In Texas, the “Steer It, Clear It” law requires relocation after property-damage collisions on metropolitan freeways when every involved vehicle can operate safely. Remain nearby to exchange information and cooperate with responders.
If your car cannot move, stay inside with your seat belt fastened if that offers the safest shelter. Should fire or another immediate danger emerge, evacuate as quickly as you safely can. If you can safely exit, use the side away from traffic and seek protection behind a barrier. Never cross active lanes.
Call 911 and seek medical attention
Tell the dispatcher about injuries, blocked lanes and your location. Include your travel direction and the nearest exit or mile marker so responders can find you. For nonemergency roadside assistance, you can call 800-525-5555.
Report your symptoms to paramedics and arrange prompt medical evaluation. Some injuries become apparent later, so follow the provider’s instructions about monitoring symptoms. Additionally, ask the responding officers how to obtain their crash report.
Gather evidence without risking another injury
Once you reach safety, exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details and license plate numbers. Show your driver’s license if the other driver requests it and you have it available.
Take photos of the vehicle damage, visible injuries and surrounding conditions from a protected location. Photos of construction signs may help show the conditions surrounding a sudden lane change. As you gather these details, avoid entering traffic to photograph skid marks.
You can also document what happened by collecting witness contact information and saving dashcam footage. Describe what you observed without guessing about fault.
Notify your insurer and organize records
Report the collision promptly under your policy’s requirements. Before giving the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement, consider getting advice about your claim. Keep correspondence alongside ongoing treatment records and medical receipts.
If police provide a CR-2 or similar local form for a crash they did not investigate, save your copy. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) no longer retains these documents.
How you can account for the crash’s impact
You can track how your injuries affect daily tasks as your recovery progresses. Note missed shifts, restrictions at work and activities that now cause you discomfort.
These details may explain your losses beyond the initial hospital visit. Legal guidance can help connect those losses to the collision, assess responsibility and review settlement terms before you sign away further claims.