Houston
Accident Recovery Resource Hub
Sponsored by The Buchanan Law Office, P.C.
After a serious accident, it can be hard to know what to do first. Medical treatment, police reports, insurance calls, missed work, damaged vehicles, and family responsibilities can all happen at the same time.
This resource hub was created to help Houston-area injury victims and families find practical next steps and trusted public resources after a car wreck, trucking accident, workplace injury, industrial accident, premises injury, or fatal incident.
This page is informational only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about your situation, you should speak directly with an attorney.
Emergency First Steps
If anyone may be seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. Your health and safety come first.
After the immediate danger has passed, consider these steps:
-
Get medical care as soon as possible.
-
Report the incident to the proper authority.
-
Take photos or videos if you can do so safely.
-
Get the names and contact information of witnesses.
-
Save paperwork, messages, photos, and receipts.
-
Avoid guessing about fault or giving recorded statements before you understand your rights.
-
Write down what happened while the details are fresh.
Even if you feel okay at first, symptoms can appear or worsen later. Keep track of pain, headaches, dizziness, numbness, sleep problems, missed work, doctor visits, and changes in daily activities.
Houston Crash Reports
If the Houston Police Department investigated the crash, accident reports are handled by HPD’s Records Division. HPD states that accident reports are usually available after processing and that requesters generally need identifying information such as the date, location, names of drivers or parties involved, or the incident number.
Helpful links:
-
Houston Police Department public information and accident report information: https://www.houstontx.gov/police/public_information.htm
-
HPD crash report request form: https://www.houstontx.gov/police/pdfs/HB-2633-Crash-Report-Form.pdf
-
Texas Department of Transportation crash reports and records: https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records.html
Tip: If you have the crash report number or incident number, keep it in a safe place. It may help you locate the report more quickly.
Car Wreck Checklist
After a car wreck, try to preserve:
-
Photos of vehicle damage.
-
Photos of the crash scene.
-
Photos of traffic signals, signs, skid marks, debris, and road conditions.
-
The other driver’s license, insurance, and plate information.
-
Names and contact information for witnesses.
-
Medical records and discharge paperwork.
-
Towing, rental car, repair, and transportation receipts.
-
Messages from insurance companies.
-
Dashcam or surveillance video if available.
Do not repair or dispose of a vehicle before important photos, inspections, or evidence preservation steps are considered.
Truck Accident Checklist
Commercial truck cases can involve evidence that disappears quickly. If you were hurt in a wreck involving an 18-wheeler, delivery truck, dump truck, company vehicle, or other commercial vehicle, preserve what you can and write down details while they are fresh.
Important information may include:
-
The trucking company name.
-
The truck number, trailer number, or USDOT number.
-
Driver name and employer information.
-
Photos of the truck, trailer, cargo, and company markings.
-
Photos of impact points and road conditions.
-
Police report or crash number.
-
Witness names and contact information.
-
Medical treatment records.
-
Any dashcam, surveillance, or nearby business camera information.
Commercial vehicle cases may involve driver qualification records, maintenance records, electronic logging data, dispatch records, inspection documents, and other evidence. Early preservation can matter.
Industrial Accident Checklist
Houston and the surrounding area include refineries, plants, ports, warehouses, construction sites, industrial facilities, and contractor-heavy worksites. After an industrial accident, it may be important to understand who controlled the worksite, who employed each worker, what equipment was involved, and whether any third party may have contributed to the incident.
Preserve:
-
The date, time, and exact location of the incident.
-
Names of employers, contractors, subcontractors, supervisors, and witnesses.
-
Photos or videos of the area, equipment, tools, vehicles, or hazard.
-
Incident reports.
-
Job safety analyses, permits, or work orders if available.
-
Medical records and work restrictions.
-
Text messages, emails, and written instructions related to the job.
-
Names of anyone who investigated the incident.
Texas injured employee resources are available through the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Helpful links:
-
Texas Department of Insurance injured employee resources: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/employee/index.html
-
Office of Injured Employee Counsel: https://www.oiec.texas.gov/
-
OSHA severe injury and fatality reporting information: https://www.osha.gov/report
Premises Injury Checklist
If you were hurt at a store, apartment complex, restaurant, workplace, parking lot, hotel, or other property, try to document what caused the injury.
Preserve:
-
Photos of the hazard.
-
Photos of the surrounding area.
-
Photos of lighting, warning signs, flooring, stairs, railings, parking areas, or spilled substances.
-
Incident reports.
-
Names of employees or managers who responded.
-
Witness contact information.
-
Medical records.
-
Shoes or clothing worn during the incident.
-
Receipts or records showing you were at the location.
Ask for a copy of any incident report, but do not be surprised if the property owner or business refuses to provide one immediately.
Wrongful Death and Family Resources
After a fatal accident, families often have to manage grief, funeral arrangements, medical bills, insurance paperwork, employment issues, and unanswered questions about what happened.
Important records to preserve may include:
-
Police reports or incident numbers.
-
Medical records and hospital information.
-
Death certificate and autopsy information if available.
-
Funeral and burial expenses.
-
Employment and income records.
-
Photos, videos, and messages related to the incident.
-
Names and contact information for witnesses.
-
Insurance letters and claim numbers.
Some fatal incidents may also involve victim services, depending on the circumstances.
Helpful links:
-
Texas Victim Resource Directory: https://ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/resource-search/
-
Harris County CSCD Victim Services: https://cscd.harriscountytx.gov/More-Information/Client-Resources/Victim-Services
-
Texas Attorney General Crime Victims’ Compensation Program: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cvs/crime-victims-compensation
Head injuries can be difficult to recognize. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, mood changes, nausea, sleep problems, light sensitivity, or trouble concentrating.
If you suspect a head injury, seek medical care. Keep track of symptoms and follow-up visits.
Helpful links:
-
Brain Injury Association of America, Texas resources and support: https://biausa.org/find-bia/states/texas/resources-support
-
Memorial Hermann TIRR support groups: https://memorialhermann.org/services/specialties/tirr/patients-visitors/support-groups
General Houston and Texas Support Resources
Serious injuries can create practical problems beyond medical care. Families may need help with housing, food, transportation, utilities, benefits, counseling, or caregiver support.
Helpful links:
-
2-1-1 Texas: https://www.211texas.org/
-
United Way Greater Houston 2-1-1 Helpline: https://unitedwayhouston.org/what-we-do/211-texas-united-way-helpline/
-
Texas Health and Human Services: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/
-
Disability Rights Texas: https://disabilityrightstx.org/
Evidence Preservation Tips
Evidence can be lost, deleted, repaired, overwritten, or forgotten. The sooner you start preserving information, the easier it may be to understand what happened.
Consider saving:
-
Photos and videos.
-
Medical paperwork.
-
Prescription records.
-
Bills and receipts.
-
Work excuses and restrictions.
-
Insurance letters.
-
Text messages and emails.
-
Names and contact information for witnesses.
-
A daily symptom and activity journal.
-
Damaged personal property.
-
Vehicle or equipment inspection information.
Avoid posting details about the accident, injuries, or claim on social media. Insurance companies and opposing parties may review public posts.
When to Speak With an Attorney
You may want to speak with an attorney if:
-
You suffered a serious injury.
-
A family member died in the incident.
-
A commercial truck or company vehicle was involved.
-
The accident happened at work or on an industrial site.
-
Multiple companies, contractors, or property owners may be involved.
-
An insurance company is asking for a recorded statement.
-
You are being blamed for something you did not do.
-
Evidence may need to be preserved quickly.
-
You are unsure what deadlines apply.
The Buchanan Law Office, P.C. handles personal injury, civil litigation, wrongful death claims, trucking accidents, industrial accidents, car wrecks, and premises liability injuries.
Contact The Buchanan Law Office, P.C.
The Buchanan Law Office, P.C.
Byron Buchanan
1002 Gemini Suite 225C
Houston, Texas 77058
Phone: (713) 936-0783
Website: https://thebuchananlawoffice.com
Call The Buchanan Law Office, P.C. to discuss your situation.
Disclaimer
This page is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Legal deadlines can apply, and the information on this page may not address your specific situation. To receive legal advice, you should speak directly with an attorney about the facts of your case.