# Witness to a Car Accident | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Stay Out of Danger 2. Remain on the Scene 3. Call for Help 4. Wait for Officers to Arrive 5. Give a Statement 6. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Witnessing a car accident can be more than just traumatic – it can also come with legal responsibilities in the state of [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/). As a bystander to a crash, you have a duty to stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. You may need to call for help, make victims more comfortable, and even testify during future hearings regarding the accident. After witnessing a [car wreck in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/), follow these steps to fulfill your civilian duties. ## Stay Out of Danger Guard your personal safety first and foremost. While it’s important to help others, you should not endanger your own life in the process. Only pull over if it is safe to do so. Do not stop your vehicle in the middle of the road, or you could risk causing another accident. Put your hazard lights on, and set out triangles or flares if available. If the vehicles in the accident are leaking gas, on fire, or surrounded by broken glass, do not put yourself in harm’s way to help victims. Instead, stay a safe distance away and call the police. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Remain on the Scene You weren’t directly involved in the accident and therefore won’t risk a [hit-and-run](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-steps-to-take-after-a-hit-and-run/) charge if you decide to leave the scene. Texas is not one of the ten states with rules requiring one to help victims. However, you may have a moral obligation to offer assistance. [Good Samaritan laws](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/explanation-of-the-texas-good-samaritan-law/) in Texas provide protection to those who offer help in good faith. This means that if you accidentally worsen someone’s injuries by trying to help him/her after a car accident, you would not get into legal trouble. Good Samaritan laws are in place to encourage swift action from witnesses and bystanders without fear of liability for injuries. ## Call for Help Don’t assume that someone else has already called the police. Report the crash yourself and explain that you were an eyewitness. Give your name, contact information, and any important facts about the case over the phone. In Texas, it is mandatory to report an accident to law enforcement if it results in injury, death, or property damage in excess of $1,000. When in doubt, call the police. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Wait for Officers to Arrive Wait on the scene until law enforcement and/or paramedics arrive. Do *not* attempt to move injured parties unless they are in imminent danger. Moving an injured person could make a minor injury much more severe. There may be a situation in which a paramedic is telling you how to offer help to victims over the phone. Follow instructions until the officer can arrive on the scene and take over. Make accident victims as calm and comfortable as possible while you wait. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Give a Statement As an accident eyewitness, police officers may need to hear your side of the story. An officer may request that you provide a signed statement with details about the crash. Stick to the facts, and do not speculate about the fault. Those involved in the accident may also request your name and contact information as a witness. It’s possible that you’ll hear from an attorney in the future about potentially testifying on behalf of one of the parties involved. It is up to you whether to accept or deny this opportunity as an eyewitness. Your testimony could be of significant help to victims in a car accident. ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![The 4 Most Important Safety Features For Cars](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-4-Most-Important-Safety-Features-For-Cars-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-4-most-important-safety-features-for-cars/) [The 4 Most Important Safety Features for Cars](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-4-most-important-safety-features-for-cars/) When shopping for a new car, people look for different things. Some people look for style or fuel economy. Some look [![Window Tint Laws in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Window-Tint-Laws-in-Texas-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/window-tint-laws-in-texas/) [Window Tint Laws in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/window-tint-laws-in-texas/) Many vehicles on the road have some type of tint on the windows. Tinting vehicle windows helps protect them from heat [![How Can I Get Compensation For My Car Wreck?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/iStock-1156650289-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/falling-asleep-while-driving/) [Falling Asleep While Driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/falling-asleep-while-driving/) There is a great deal of information available about distracted driving and drunk driving. State and federal agencies [![What To Do if You Suffer from Whiplash Injuries After a Car Accident in Texas?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/What-To-Do-if-You-Suffer-from-Whiplash-Injuries-After-a-Car-Accident-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-suffer-from-whiplash-injuries-after-a-car-accident/) [What to Do If You Suffer From Whiplash Injuries After a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-suffer-from-whiplash-injuries-after-a-car-accident/) Whiplash is a commonly reported injury after car accidents. Symptoms may appear immediately after the accident, or --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/witness-to-a-car-accident/