The moments after a car accident are disorienting. Adrenaline is high, the scene is chaotic, and decisions that feel minor in the moment can have real consequences later — including decisions about how and where your vehicle gets towed. In Dallas, where accident rates on major corridors like I-35, I-635, and US-75 are among the highest in Texas, knowing exactly what to do in the first 30 minutes can protect your safety, your vehicle, and your insurance claim.
This guide walks through the post-accident process step by step — with particular focus on the towing piece, which is where many Dallas drivers get caught off guard.
Minutes 0–5: Safety First, Everything Else Second
Before you think about your vehicle, insurance, or a tow company, assess the immediate situation. If the vehicles are drivable and the accident is minor, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to clear the travel lane. Texas law actually requires drivers to move vehicles out of traffic when it's safe to do so — leaving a drivable car in a live lane creates additional hazard and can result in a citation.
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Do not move injured persons unless there is an immediate danger (fire, incoming traffic) — movement can worsen spinal injuries. Turn on hazard lights, and if you have them, set out road flares or reflective triangles behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
If the accident involves significant damage, injury, or a vehicle blocking traffic, Dallas Police Department or Texas DPS will respond. For minor fender-benders on private property, a police report may not be required — but it's always advisable to have one for insurance purposes.
Minutes 5–15: Document Everything
While you wait for police and before any vehicles are moved more than necessary, document the scene thoroughly. Your phone is your best tool here.
Photograph both vehicles from multiple angles, capturing all visible damage. Get wide shots showing the full scene — lane positions, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions. Photograph the other driver's license, insurance card, and license plate. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. Note the time, weather conditions, and exact location.
This documentation matters for your insurance claim, and it matters even more if the other driver's account of the accident differs from yours. Once vehicles are towed and the scene is cleared, that evidence is gone.
Minutes 15–20: Exchange Information
Texas law requires drivers involved in an accident to exchange the following information:
| Required Information | What to Collect |
|---|---|
| Driver's license | Name, license number, state |
| Vehicle registration | Make, model, year, VIN, plate number |
| Insurance | Company name, policy number, agent contact |
| Contact information | Phone number, address |
Keep the conversation factual and brief. Do not admit fault, apologize, or speculate about what happened — even casually. Statements made at the scene can be used in insurance disputes and legal proceedings. Let the police report and the physical evidence tell the story.
Minutes 20–30: The Towing Decision — This Is Where It Gets Important
Here's what many Dallas drivers don't know: you have the right to choose your own towing company after an accident. This right is protected under Texas law, and it's one of the most practically important things to understand at an accident scene.
What Happens When Police Dispatch a Tow
When Dallas PD or DPS responds to an accident and a vehicle needs to be towed, officers will often call a tow company from a rotation list — a pre-approved list of companies that take turns responding to police-dispatched calls. You are not required to use that company. You can request that your preferred towing company be called instead.
Why does this matter? Police-dispatched tows frequently go to impound lots that charge daily storage fees. If your vehicle sits in an impound lot for several days while you sort out insurance, those fees accumulate quickly. Choosing your own tow company means you control where the vehicle goes — to your home, your preferred body shop, or a dealership — rather than to a lot that charges by the day.
Under Texas Transportation Code, a towing company cannot tow your vehicle to a location other than the one you specify without your consent. If an officer or a tow operator pressures you to use a specific company or destination, you can politely but firmly state your preference. Read more about your full rights in our guide to towing rights in Texas.
Calling Your Own Tow Company
If you want to call your own tow company, do it as soon as you know the vehicle needs to be towed — don't wait until the police-dispatched truck shows up. Once a tow company has hooked up your vehicle, the situation becomes more complicated. Call (817) 512-1024 and tell the dispatcher you've been in an accident, give your location, and specify where you want the vehicle taken. Our accident recovery team is available 24/7 and handles post-accident tows throughout Dallas and the DFW area.
What If Your Car Isn't Drivable?
If the vehicle has significant front-end damage, deployed airbags, or structural damage, a flatbed tow is the safest option — the vehicle is loaded onto the bed rather than dragged on its wheels, which prevents additional damage to the drivetrain and suspension. For vehicles with severe damage or unusual positions (off-road, against a barrier, on its side), accident recovery may require specialized equipment. Describe the situation when you call and the dispatcher will send the appropriate truck.
After the Scene: What Happens to Your Vehicle
Once your vehicle is towed, the next steps depend on the extent of the damage and your insurance situation.
If the Vehicle Is Repairable
Have the vehicle towed directly to your preferred body shop or dealership if possible — this saves you a secondary tow later. If you're not sure which shop to use, towing to your home or a safe parking location buys you time to make that decision without incurring storage fees. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage, and most shops will work directly with your insurer on the repair estimate.
If the Vehicle Is Totaled
If the damage exceeds the vehicle's actual cash value, your insurer will declare it a total loss. In that case, the vehicle will ultimately go to a salvage yard or auction — but you still control where it's towed initially. Don't let urgency push you into a tow destination you didn't choose. If you need a secondary tow after the insurance assessment, that's a straightforward service as well.
Dealing With the Other Driver's Insurance
If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover your towing and vehicle damage. Document your towing receipt and any storage fees — these are recoverable costs in a liability claim. If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may apply. Texas requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, though drivers can decline it in writing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid at an Accident Scene in Dallas
Leaving the scene before police arrive. In Texas, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or significant property damage is a criminal offense. Even in a minor fender-bender, stay until you've exchanged information and, if applicable, until police have cleared the scene.
Accepting a tow without knowing the destination. Always confirm where your vehicle is being taken before it's loaded. "Nearest lot" is not an acceptable answer — get the specific address.
Posting about the accident on social media. Anything you post publicly can be used in insurance disputes or legal proceedings. Keep the details offline until everything is resolved.
Delaying the call to your insurance company. Most policies require you to report accidents promptly. Waiting days to report can complicate your claim. Call your insurer from the scene or as soon as you're safely away from it.
The 30-Minute Recap
The first 30 minutes after a Dallas accident move fast. Here's the condensed version: get safe, call 911 if needed, document everything before vehicles move, exchange information without admitting fault, and — critically — choose your own tow company and destination rather than defaulting to whoever shows up. These decisions are easier to make correctly when you've thought about them before you need them.
Texas Tows handles accident recovery throughout Dallas 24 hours a day. If you've been in an accident and need a tow, call (817) 512-1024 — we'll walk you through the process and get your vehicle where it needs to go.