What to Do After a Car Accident in Mansfield, TX
A calm, step-by-step checklist from a family-owned collision shop with 43+ years of experience helping Texas drivers.
May 14, 2026 · 6 min read
A collision — even a minor one — can leave you rattled. The steps you take in the first 30 minutes protect your safety, your wallet, and your insurance claim. Here's what our team tells friends and family in Mansfield to do.
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Turn on your hazards, move to the shoulder if the vehicles are drivable, and check on every passenger. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first — the body damage can wait.
2. Call the police, even for a fender-bender
In Texas, an official crash report makes your insurance claim dramatically smoother. Ask for the report number before the officer leaves the scene.
3. Document everything
- Photos of both vehicles from four angles
- Close-ups of every dent, scratch, and paint transfer
- License plates, driver's licenses, and insurance cards
- The intersection, road signs, and skid marks
4. Exchange information — but not opinions
Trade names, phone numbers, insurance carriers, and policy numbers. Do not admit fault or discuss who caused the accident. Let the adjusters and the police report handle that.
The single biggest mistake we see is drivers accepting a check on the spot from the other party. Once you cash it, you may lose the right to file a proper claim.
5. Choose your own repair shop
Your insurance company may 'recommend' a shop, but Texas law gives you the right to pick where your vehicle is repaired. Choose a shop that guarantees its work in writing, uses OEM parts when possible, and handles the insurance paperwork for you.
Give us a call at (817) 473-1504 and we'll walk you through the claim — even if you decide to have the work done somewhere else.