A Simple Guide for California Drivers: Steps to Take After a Texas Car Accident

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough—but it can feel even more overwhelming when it happens out of state. If you live in California and are injured in a crash while visiting Texas, you may wonder which laws apply and what steps to take next.

Understanding what to do after an accident in Texas if you live in California can help protect your health, your rights, and any future claim. Below is a step-by-step guide for California drivers who find themselves dealing with a car accident in Texas while visiting.

Step 1: Get Medical Help

Your first priority is safety. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance—even if your injuries seem minor. Getting prompt medical attention also creates documentation that may be critical later.

This step applies no matter where you’re from, but it’s especially important for a California driver involved in a Texas accident because your medical records will likely be used across state lines.

Step 2: Cooperate with Law Enforcement

When officers arrive, provide accurate information but avoid speculating about fault. Ask how to obtain a copy of the police report, as this document is often a key piece of evidence when pursuing a claim. If you’re involved in a car accident in Texas while visiting, the police report helps establish the basic facts when you’re no longer in the state.

Step 3: Document the Scene

If you’re physically able, gather as much information as possible, such as:

• photos of vehicle damage and injuries
• contact and insurance information with all drivers involved
• names and phone numbers of witnesses

​These details can make a big difference when handling out-of-state car accident steps, especially once you’re back home in California.

Step 4: Know Which States’ Laws Apply

In most cases, Texas law governs accidents that happen within Texas, regardless of where the drivers live. Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. This means fault can be shared between drivers, however, you can recover compensation only if you are 50% or less at fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages at all.
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This is a key difference from California law, which allows injured drivers to recover compensation even if they are mostly at fault. For a California driver involved in a Texas accident, this distinction matters—because saying the wrong thing at the scene could directly affect whether you can recover compensation.

Step 5: Seek Legal Help

You should report the accident to your insurance company, but it’s always a good idea to speak with an attorney first. Knowing what to do after a Texas accident on a trip includes protecting yourself from insurance companies that are looking out for their own financial interests, not yours.

Step 6: Watch the Deadline

Texas generally gives accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to compensation.

Because you’ll likely return to California shortly after the crash, it’s easy to lose track of Texas-specific deadlines.

Step 7: Talk to a California Personal Injury Attorney Who Handles Out-of-State Claims

You don’t necessarily need to hire a Texas lawyer right away. A California-based attorney also licensed in Texas can coordinate medical care and records across states and help maximize compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
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For a California driver involved in a Texas accident, having guidance from a familiar legal team can make the process far less stressful.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer in North Hollywood

Even if your accident happened in Texas, you don’t have to handle the claim alone. Yepremyan Law Firm is an established personal injury law firm in North Hollywood, and our attorneys are licensed to handle Texas injury cases for clients throughout Southern California.
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Whether you need a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles or a car accident lawyer in North Hollywood, our team offers 24/7 support and free consultations. Contact us today and let us know how we can help.

*No Legal Advice Intended. This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. These materials have been prepared for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for legal advice pertaining to any particular legal matter. Use of and access to this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and Yepremyan Law Firm and any of its attorneys, employees, or associates.