Safe-T Buzz: What To Do in an Auto Accident

In this month’s Safe-T Buzz feature, we offer some tips on what to do if you are involved in an auto accident.

Most crashes on Texas roads result from speeding, failure to yield, driving under the influence of alcohol, following too closely and running red lights and stop signs.

Take the following steps when you are involved in an auto accident:

• Check for injuries. If people are hurt, tend to them.
• Move your car out of the roadway to a safer place where you can exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, insurance information and driver license information.
• Note the location of the crash and get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. If the vehicles cannot be moved, protect the scene by setting up flares or raising your hood.

Always call the police when:

• an injury or fatality is involved,
• the vehicles cannot be moved,
• you suspect one of the drivers is intoxicated,
• one of the drivers has no insurance, or
• one of the drivers leaves the scene.

If you are in a collision and no one is hurt, don't wait for the police before moving your vehicle. If you can drive the vehicle, the law requires you to move it out of the flow of traffic.

If you are on an NTTA roadway, you can call Roadway Customer Service (RCS) for assistance.  The phone number is located on the back of your TollTag. The RCS team operates 24-hours a day, 7 days a week patrolling NTTA roadways in search of stranded drivers. When motorists call the emergency number on their TollTags, the calls are routed to the NTTA Command Center, and the Roadway Customer Service team is quickly dispatched.  RCS is a free service that is part of the NTTA’s ongoing efforts to provide a safe travel experience.

If there is damage to the vehicle, stop and exchange information. If someone is hurt, render aid and notify law enforcement. If you hit an unattended vehicle, find the driver or write your name and address on a note explaining what happened. You must also include the owner's name and address if the vehicle you are driving doesn't belong to you.

If a law enforcement officer is not investigating the crash, you must file a crash report with the Texas Department of Transportation within 10 days if:

• there are injuries or a fatality,
• you suspect property damage exceeds $1,000, or
• you suspect a driver is intoxicated, unlicensed, has no insurance or attempts to leave the scene.

If you don't file a report, you could be subject to up to a $500 fine, plus court costs.

Liability insurance coverage:
Texas law requires drivers to have basic liability coverage called “20/40/15,” which means $20,000 per injured person, up to a total of $40,000 for everyone hurt and $15,000 for property damage. If you don't have auto insurance, you can be fined up to $350 (or more if you've been ticketed before for no insurance). Be ready to show your insurance card if an officer asks you for it, and inform your insurance company of a collision right away.

SOURCE: Texas Department of Public Safety