Texas Accidents

Texas Automobile Accidents

Basics Of Vehicle Accident Laws

The laws in Texas about accidents and accident reports only apply to a road owned and controlled by a water control and improvement district, a private access way or parking area provided for a client or patron by a business, other than a private residential property, or the property of a garage or parking lot for which a charge is made for storing or parking a motor vehicle and a highway or other public place.

A person who is in a vehicle accident and required to file a written accident report shall report, on the appropriate form approved by the department, all information required by the form unless the information is not available.

The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the accident to the local police department if the accident occurred in a municipality, local police department or the sheriff's office if the accident occurred not more than 100 feet outside the limits of a municipality or sheriff's office.

Accident Involving Damage To Vehicle

The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle that is driven, or attended by a person, shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident, or as close as possible, without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. If the driver is unable to stop they must immediately return to the scene of the accident and remain at the scene of the accident until the operator complies with the requirements of rendering aid as stated by the Texas Transportation Code.

If an accident occurs on a main lane, ramp, shoulder, median, or adjacent area of a freeway in a metropolitan area and each vehicle involved can be normally and safely driven, each operator shall move the operator's vehicle as soon as possible to a designated accident investigation site, if available. If there is no designated accident investigation site, the vehicle operators should choose a location on the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location to complete the requirements of rendering aid as stated by the Texas Transportation Code and minimize interference with freeway traffic.

A person commits an offense if the person does not stop or does not comply with the requirements of rendering aid and accidents involving damage to a vehicle. Such an offense is a Class C misdemeanor if the damage to all vehicles is less than $200 or a Class B misdemeanor if the damage to all vehicles is $200 or more.

When attempting to move a vehicle that has been damaged in an accident, a driver should only drive it afterward if it can be normally and safely driven, without requiring towing, and can be operated under its own power and in its usual manner, without causing additional damage or hazard to the vehicle, other traffic, or the roadway.

Accidents Involving Personal Injury Or Death

The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the scene as possible, or immediately return to the scene of the accident if the vehicle is not stopped at the scene of the accident and remain at the scene of the accident until the operator complies with the requirements of rendering aid as stated by the Texas Transportation Code. It's called a “scene” because some people like to act like they're injured and you really should get back there as quickly as possible so they don't have a chance to make up a story for their one-man play. An operator of a vehicle required to stop the vehicle must do so without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. If it can be moved by your own means then you should move it.

A person commits an offense if the person does not stop or otherwise comply with the laws for rendering aid and accidents involving personal injury or death. Such an offense is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for not more than five years or confinement in the county jail for not more than one year, a fine not to exceed $5,000 or both the fine and the imprisonment or confinement.

Operator's Accident Report

The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall make a written report of the accident if a law enforcement officer does not investigate the accident and the accident resulted in injury to or the death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more.

The report required must be filed with the department no later than the 10th day after the date of the accident. On the 11th day, Dog the Bounty Hunter shows up at your door with a camera crew and redneck drama. Don't make the mistake of subjecting yourself to televised redneckery.

The department may require the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident in which a report is required to file a supplemental report and/or a witness report if the department considers the original report insufficient.

If you get a ticket for for an auto accident, our Texas Defensive Driving Course can help you get that ticket dismissed!