What to Do After a Car Accident in El Paso, Texas

Getting into a car accident in El Paso can be overwhelming, whether it happens on I‑10 near Cielo Vista, on US‑54, or at a busy intersection on the West Side. The steps you take immediately after a crash can protect your health, your rights, and the value of your personal injury claim.

Stay Calm and Check for Injuries

Right after a collision, take a moment to breathe and assess your surroundings. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries and call out to see if anyone needs urgent help. If someone appears seriously injured, do not move them unless there is immediate danger, such as fire, leaking fuel, or traffic bearing down on the vehicles.

Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. If your vehicle is drivable and it is safe to do so, move it to the shoulder or out of the flow of traffic to reduce the risk of a secondary crash, especially on high‑speed roads like I‑10, Loop 375, and US‑54.

Call 911 and Report the Crash

In Texas, you must report any accident involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of at least $1,000 to law enforcement. Calling 911 in El Paso will dispatch the El Paso Police Department and emergency medical services to the scene.

The police report is often one of the most important pieces of evidence in a car accident claim. The responding officer will document the scene, take witness statements, and note road, traffic, and weather conditions, along with any signs of impairment or traffic violations. You can usually obtain a copy of the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR‑3) through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) system within about 10 business days.

Do not leave the scene; leaving an accident involving injury is a criminal offense in Texas and can lead to serious felony charges.

Document the Accident Scene in El Paso

While you wait for police and EMS, use your phone to gather as much evidence as possible. This documentation can be invaluable later when an insurance company disputes fault or downplays your injuries.

Take the following steps:

• Photograph damage to every vehicle from multiple angles
• Capture wide shots of the entire scene, including traffic lights, stop signs, lane markings, skid marks, and debris
• Take pictures or video showing weather, lighting, and road conditions
• Exchange information: full name, phone, address, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate
• Collect names and contact information for all witnesses
• Note the exact location, including the nearest intersection, mile marker, or exit

Serious crashes in El Paso commonly occur at busy intersections such as Lee Trevino and Vista del Sol, Zaragoza and Montwood, and along the I‑10 and US‑54 corridors. Writing down the precise location and any nearby landmarks helps your attorney and experts later reconstruct how the collision happened.

Get Medical Treatment Within 72 Hours

Even if you feel "fine" or only a little sore, you should be evaluated by a medical professional within 72 hours of the crash. Many car accident injuries—like whiplash, soft tissue injuries, concussions, herniated disks, and internal bleeding—do not show symptoms right away because adrenaline can mask pain for hours or days.

You can be seen at:

• A local emergency room
• An urgent care clinic
• Your primary care physician

Tell the provider you were in a motor vehicle accident and describe all symptoms, even if they seem minor: headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, back pain, numbness, or trouble concentrating. Consistent medical documentation creates a clear link between the crash and your injuries, which is critical for your El Paso car accident claim.

If you delay treatment, the insurance company will almost certainly argue that your injuries are not serious or were caused by something other than the crash. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons insurers deny or undervalue personal injury claims.

Do Not Admit Fault or Apologize

What you say after a car accident in Texas can be used against you. To protect your claim:

• Do not say "I'm sorry" or make comments that could sound like you are accepting blame
• Do not argue about fault with the other driver at the scene
• Do not speculate about what happened when speaking with witnesses or police
• Limit your conversation with the other driver to exchanging information

Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, you can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. A careless apology or off‑hand statement can give an insurance company ammunition to shift more blame onto you and reduce what you recover.

Also, do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company—yours or the other driver's—before you speak with an experienced El Paso personal injury attorney.

Talk to an El Paso Car Accident Lawyer Before the Insurance Company

After a crash, insurance adjusters often call quickly, sometimes within hours, asking for your statement or offering a fast settlement. Their job is to save the insurance company money, not to make sure you are fully compensated.

An experienced El Paso car accident lawyer can:

• Explain your rights and the claims process
• Deal directly with the insurance companies for you
• Help you avoid common mistakes that hurt your case
• Calculate the full value of your damages, including future medical care, lost earnings, and pain and suffering
• Build a strong case using evidence, expert opinions, and medical documentation

At Lovett & Murray, we offer free, no‑obligation consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you do not pay attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. With decades of experience representing injured clients across West Texas and Southern New Mexico, our firm is dedicated to protecting injured drivers and their families.

Know the Deadlines to File a Car Accident Claim

Every car accident case is governed by a statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline to file a lawsuit. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. In New Mexico, including cities such as Las Cruces, Sunland Park, and Anthony, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years.

If you miss the applicable deadline, you lose your right to file a claim, no matter how strong your case may be or how severe your injuries are. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible allows your legal team to preserve evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, obtain surveillance or dash‑cam footage, and build the strongest case on your behalf.

Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident in El Paso

Car accidents are a daily reality on El Paso's congested highways and intersections, from the Spaghetti Bowl to the Far East Side. If you or a loved one has been injured in a wreck caused by someone else's negligence, you do not have to face the insurance company alone.

Contact Lovett & Murray today for a free consultation. We have been fighting for accident victims across El Paso, West Texas, and Southern New Mexico for over 30 years. Let our team review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your options so you can focus on healing while we focus on your claim.