After an Arlington Crash: A Step-by-Step Plan
Short answer: At the scene: get safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, photograph everything and exchange insurance. Within days: get examined, even without pain. Within weeks: order the crash report and let a lawyer review anything an insurer wants you to sign.
At the scene
Safety, then the police call, then evidence. If anyone is hurt or a car can't be driven safely, Texas law says to notify police immediately (§550.026).
| Do | Skip |
|---|---|
| Hazards on; move out of traffic on I-20, I-30 or SH 360 if the car drives | Standing between cars in a live lane |
| Photos: both cars, plates, signals, skid marks, injuries | Arguing about whose fault it was |
| Other driver's name, phone, insurer, policy, plate, license | Agreeing to "handle it without insurance" |
| Witness names and numbers | Saying you're not hurt |
Arlington police, ERs and roads
Crashes inside Arlington are handled by the Arlington Police Department. Arlington’s main hospital ERs are Medical City Arlington and Texas Health Arlington Memorial; for the most serious injuries, paramedics may take you to JPS in Fort Worth, Tarrant County’s only Level I trauma center.
- Medical City Arlington, 3301 Matlock Rd, Arlington
- Texas Health Arlington Memorial, 800 W Randol Mill Rd, Arlington
- JPS Health Network (John Peter Smith Hospital), 1500 S Main St, Fort Worth
Inside city limits from 2021 to 2025, FM 157 (Cooper St), SH 360, I-20 had the most crashes, and the busiest single crash location was FM 157 (Cooper St) & I-20 (our analysis of TxDOT data). Arlington crash data.
The first week
- Get examined by a provider who documents crash injuries: a DC, FNP, MD or DO. How to choose.
- Keep a symptom diary: new pain, headaches, tingling, sleep trouble, and the date each started. Why it can start late.
- Photograph bruises again as they change color.
- Notify your own insurer and ask about PIP.
- Decline a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. How.
The first month
- Order your crash report and check it for errors.
- Get the car handled as its own claim. Car vs. injury claims.
- Don't sign a release or settlement for your injuries until a lawyer has read it. A release usually ends the claim for good.
- Still hurting? Read do I need a lawyer?
Questions after an Arlington crash
Who responds to a crash in Arlington?
The Arlington Police Department inside the city. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a car can’t be driven; Texas law requires prompt notice in those cases (Transp. Code §550.026).
What if the other driver asks to keep insurance out of it?
Get their information anyway and report the crash to your insurer. Injuries can show up later, and an off-the-books deal leaves you without a record.
How soon should I see someone if I’m sore?
Within a few days. Gaps before the first visit are often used by insurers to argue you weren’t hurt.
More in the Arlington FAQ.
Hurt in an Arlington crash?
Send a short request and a participating injury law firm will contact you for a free review. Crashes anywhere in Texas are welcome.