I tow a lot of wrecked cars around Cypress, and the first few minutes after a crash are when people make the decisions that cost them later. Here's the checklist I'd give a friend.
1. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt
People come first, cars second. If anyone is injured, or if a vehicle can't be driven, call 911. Texas law requires you to report a crash right away when someone is hurt or a vehicle is too damaged to drive.
2. Get out of the travel lanes if you safely can
Texas has a "Steer It, Clear It" law: if nobody is hurt and your car can still be driven, move it out of the main lanes to the shoulder, an exit, or a nearby parking lot. On US-290 and the Grand Parkway, where traffic moves fast, staying in a live lane is one of the most dangerous things you can do.
If the car can't move:
- Turn on your hazard lights
- Stay buckled in if you can't safely get behind a barrier
- Never stand between your car and traffic
3. Exchange information
Texas drivers involved in a crash have to exchange:
- Name and address
- Vehicle registration number
- Insurance company and policy number
Take a photo of the other driver's license, insurance card, and license plate. It's faster and avoids handwriting mix-ups.
4. Document everything
Before the cars are moved (if that's safe), take photos of:
- Damage to every vehicle, close up and from a distance
- Where the cars ended up
- Skid marks, debris, traffic signals, and road conditions
- Any visible injuries
Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. If police come, ask for the officer's name and the report number. In Texas, the official crash report can usually be purchased online from TxDOT a few days later.
5. Choose your own tow company if you can
If police don't need the road cleared immediately, you can generally ask for the tow company you want. Calling a company you trust means you know who has your car and where it's going.
Tell the tow operator:
- Exactly where you are (exit, cross street, or mile marker)
- What you drive
- Where it should go: your home, a body shop, or your insurance company's preferred shop
A wrecked car with damaged wheels or suspension should go on a flatbed, not be dragged on its own tires.
6. Call your insurance company
Report the crash as soon as you can. Ask whether they have a preferred body shop and whether your policy covers towing or a rental car.
7. Don't sign or admit anything at the scene
Be polite and cooperative, but don't argue about fault or sign anything except what police hand you. Let the insurance companies sort it out.
Save this number before you need it
We're a Cypress-based tow company, open 24/7, and I answer the phone myself. If you're ever in a wreck around Cypress or Northwest Houston, call 346-377-7404 and we'll come pick it up. Learn more about our accident and wreck towing and the Cypress area we serve.