After A Crash
Transp. Code 550.021 — stop, give information, help, and report
A driver in a collision that results, or is reasonably likely to result, in injury or death has to stop immediately at the scene or as close as possible, return immediately if not stopped there, find out whether anyone is involved and needs aid, and remain until the information and aid duties are met, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
- Give their name and address, the vehicle's registration number, and the name of their liability insurer to anyone injured and to the driver or occupants of the other vehicle.
- Show their driver's license, if asked and it is available.
- Give anyone injured reasonable assistance, including taking or arranging to take them to a physician or hospital if treatment is apparently needed or the person asks.
| Failing to stop or to comply | The penalty the code sets |
|---|---|
| Failing to stop or to complyAfter a collision causing death | The penalty the code setsSecond degree felony |
| Failing to stop or to complyAfter a collision causing serious bodily injury | The penalty the code setsThird degree felony |
| Failing to stop or to complyAfter a collision causing other injury | The penalty the code setsUp to five years in prison or one year in county jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both |
| Failing to stop or to complyAfter damage only to an attended vehicle, under $200 in all | The penalty the code setsClass C misdemeanor |
| Failing to stop or to complyAfter damage only to an attended vehicle, $200 or more | The penalty the code setsClass B misdemeanor |
On a freeway in a metropolitan area, where every vehicle can be normally and safely driven, each driver moves the vehicle as soon as possible to a collision investigation site, the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street or another suitable location before exchanging information. A driver who hits an unattended vehicle stops and either finds the owner or leaves a written note with names, addresses and what happened, in a conspicuous place or attached where it can plainly be seen.
Where someone is injured or killed, or a vehicle cannot be normally and safely driven, the driver notifies the local police in a city, the police or sheriff within 100 feet outside city limits, or otherwise the sheriff or the nearest office of the Department of Public Safety, immediately and by the quickest means. An officer who investigates a crash with injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more to any one person files a written report electronically no later than the 10th day after it.
Sources for this section (6)
- Transp. Code 550.021 — Collision involving personal injury or death
- Transp. Code 550.023 — Duty to give information and render aid
- Transp. Code 550.022 — Collision involving damage to vehicle
- Transp. Code 550.024 — Duty on striking an unattended vehicle
- Transp. Code 550.026 — Immediate report of collision
- Transp. Code 550.062 — Officer's collision report
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.