Find The Best Car Accident Lawyer in Texas (2024)

Driving hazards in Texas include vast stretches of highways, unpredictable weather and heavy traffic, especially in metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, and Austin. From oil slicks on roads in West Texas to congested interstates like I-35 and I-10, drivers face many different challenges. If you've been in a collision, hiring a Texas car accident attorney can increase your recovery and decrease the hassle of resolving your claims.

ConsumerShield specializes in helping you understand local laws and navigating the legal system. This article will discuss when you might want to hire a Texas car accident attorney and how they can help you recover compensation. When you're ready to pull the trigger, we can connect you with the best lawyers in your area.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Texas?

Most Texas car accident lawyers work on a "contingency" fee basis. Instead of charging by the hour for their services, they keep a percentage of any settlement or award they recover for you. Most also offer free initial consultations.

Read the terms of a lawyer’s proposed fee agreement carefully before signing it. A lawsuit can involve many costs, such as fees for postage and couriers, filing and court costs, medical record retrieval, expert witnesses, court reporting and more, which can amount to thousands of dollars. Discuss who will be responsible for paying the costs related to your case and whether they will be paid as the case progresses or deducted from the settlement.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas

Texas requires all drivers to carry liability insurance to cover injuries or damage they cause to others on the road. Someone injured in a car accident must file a claim with the responsible party's insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies often deny their insured was at fault for the occurrence or try to minimize the amount they pay in damages.

Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side to negotiate with an at-fault driver's insurer can increase the value of their settlement offer. In some cases, however, an insurer simply won't offer a fair compensation package or will contest liability. Retaining a skilled Texas car accident lawyer is even more necessary if you need to take the next step and file a lawsuit.

Even if you are partially at fault for an accident, you can recover damages if your share of the fault is 50% or less. This is called “modified comparative negligence.” Your percentage of fault will proportionately reduce any damages you are awarded at trial.

In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims (including most car accident claims) is two years from the date of the injury. Some types of claims have much shorter limits, including those against public or government entities like police and fire departments. Other claims have a longer filing window, such as defective product claims against car manufacturers.

If you don't file a lawsuit within the time allowed by law, you will lose your right to recover compensation. However, most statutes of limitations have several specific exceptions. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident helps ensure evidence is preserved and allows them to build the strongest case on your behalf. Most Texas car accident attorneys offer injury victims free, no-obligation initial consultations, so there's no reason to wait.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Texas

Car accident cases in Texas are as varied and unique as the people who call the Lone Star state home. In 2023, there were 15,219 serious injury crashes in Texas, causing serious injuries to 18,752 people. Another 4,283 people were killed. Many of these accidents gave rise to lawsuits for personal injuries or wrongful death.

In addition to cases involving typical drivers acting negligently or recklessly, some types of Texas car accident cases are more complex. While having an attorney is valuable even in cases involving soft-tissue injuries and established liability, an experienced car accident attorney is crucial in high-value, contested or legally complex claims.

• Commercial vehicles or "company cars." Many Texas companies provide their employees with temporary or permanent vehicles. If an at-fault driver is “on the clock” when involved in an accident, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against their employer.

• Rideshare accidents. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft operate in many Texas cities, improving accessibility and transportation options for residents and visitors. However, recovering what you deserve if you are in a collision with a rideshare vehicle as a passenger or driver can be challenging. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and recover your damages.

• Truck accidents. Commercial trucking is one of Texas' biggest industries. More than 200,000 of the millions of U.S. truck drivers are Texas residents. When truck accidents occur, they can involve multiple vehicles, catastrophic injuries and millions of dollars of damage. These complicated lawsuits often involve multiple insurance companies and take years to resolve.

How to Hire a Texas Car Accident Attorney

Finding the right car accident attorney for your situation can help reduce the stress and uncertainty of pursuing your claim. How do you choose the best lawyer for you?

• Ask for recommendations and advice from family, friends and groups you trust. You can also browse the online resources offered by the State Bar of Texas, which maintains lists of all licensed and actively practicing lawyers and records of disciplinary action.

• Schedule several interviews to see how you interact with a few different attorneys. Don't feel pressured to sign a retainer agreement with the first one you meet. Meeting with several lawyers can also give you a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

• Ask each attorney how they will communicate with you about your case and be sure that it works for you. Many firms now offer video consultations, allowing you to avoid traveling repeatedly to in-person meetings.

Above all, you need to be able to trust and confide in your attorney. Choose someone with whom you feel comfortable discussing personal issues like medical treatment, physical limitations and financial matters. Once you retain them as your lawyer, they will be bound by attorney-client confidentiality.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Texas

Numerous factors influence the value of a car accident settlement, making each case unique. Some considerations include the severity and permanence of the injuries involved, the circumstances of the accident and the allocation of fault between the parties. The strength of the parties' evidence, the amount of publicity and many other factors can also influence a case's settlement value.

Many settlements are confidential, which makes calculating an accurate "average" settlement value for a car accident impossible. However, a survey of four large national law firms revealed that their settlements for “minor” car accidents ranged from $3,000 to $25,000, with a median of $12,500 and an average of $12,875.

A skilled auto accident attorney will draw on their years of experience handling and settling numerous cases to assess the strength of your case and its settlement value. They can help you negotiate a better settlement by using medical records, expert opinions and accident reports to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Texas?

You can file a Texas car accident lawsuit if someone else is legally responsible for a car accident that causes you damages. Many types of damages are recoverable, including economic damages (like medical bills, vehicle damage and lost wages) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering). A Texas car accident lawyer can help you calculate the full value of your claim and how to pursue compensation for your damages.

You can file a lawsuit without a lawyer, but pursuing a case on your own is not recommended. Courts have rules, procedures and regulations that are challenging to understand and comply with. A misstep can result in your case being dismissed, ending your opportunity to recover compensation. Hiring an attorney with experience in the Texas court system will prevent this undesirable outcome.