Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Every wreck is different. We help clients hurt in all kinds of crashes, including:
- Rear-end collisions: These can cause whiplash, back injuries, and concussions, even at lower speeds.
- Intersection and T-bone crashes: These often happen when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield, and they can cause serious injuries to the side of the car where the impact happens.
- Head-on collisions: These are some of the most dangerous crashes and often lead to life-changing injuries.
- Hit-and-run accidents: If the other driver takes off, you may still have options through your own insurance.
- Drunk and distracted driving crashes: When a driver was drinking or texting, we work to hold them fully responsible.
- Rideshare accidents: Crashes involving Uber or Lyft drivers can involve more than one insurance policy, which can make the claim more complicated.
- Uninsured driver crashes: If the driver who hit you had no insurance, we look at what coverage you may have on your own policy.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Worth
The steps you take right after a crash can have a big effect on your health and your claim.
If you're able, here's what to do:
- Check for injuries and call 911. Even if everyone seems okay, call. Fort Worth Police, the Tarrant County Sheriff, or Texas DPS will come to the scene, depending on where you are. A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your claim.
- Get to a safe spot. If your car can be moved and the crash was minor, move it out of traffic. On a busy highway like I-35W or Loop 820, staying in a live lane is dangerous.
- Get medical care right away. Some injuries, like concussions and back injuries, don't show up for hours or days. Seeing a doctor quickly protects your health and creates a record linking your injuries to the crash.
- Exchange information. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, license plate number, and insurance information. Texas law requires drivers to share these details.
- Take photos and video. Capture all the cars, the damage, skid marks, traffic signs, the weather, and your injuries. Get contact information for anyone who saw what happened.
- Get the crash report. You can usually request a copy through TxDOT's online crash report system. Make sure the facts in it are correct.
- Be careful what you say. Don't apologize or guess about what happened. Even a polite "I'm sorry" can be used against you later.
- Tell your own insurance company, but wait on the other driver's. Report the crash to your insurer. Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
- Stay off social media. Insurance companies look at posts and photos. A picture of you at a barbecue can be twisted to say you aren't really hurt.
- Call a Fort Worth car accident lawyer. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can protect evidence like surveillance video and data from the cars involved.
Texas Insurance Rules After a Car Accident
Texas is an "at-fault" state. That means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the damage, and their insurance is supposed to pay. A few rules are worth knowing:
- Minimum insurance is low. Texas requires drivers to carry at least 30/60/25 coverage under Texas Transportation Code § 601.072. That's $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. After a serious wreck, medical bills can pass those limits fast.
- Your own policy may help. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can fill the gap when the other driver has no insurance or not enough. Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage may also help pay your bills no matter who was at fault.
- Fault affects your payment. If you share some of the blame, your payment can go down. If you're found more than 50 percent at fault, you can't collect at all. Insurance companies know this and often try to push more blame onto you.
- You have two years to sue. In most car accident cases, the deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. Waiting too long can end your claim for good.
How a Car Accident Case Works in Tarrant County
Most car accident claims settle without a trial, but it helps to know what could happen if yours doesn't.
Here's the basic path:
- Claim and negotiation: We gather your medical records, bills, and proof of lost income. Then we send the insurance company a demand and negotiate.
- Filing a lawsuit: If the insurance company won't make a fair offer, we file a lawsuit. Most car accident cases in Tarrant County are filed in a Tarrant County district court or county court at law. Smaller claims may be handled in justice court.
- Discovery: Both sides share evidence, answer written questions, and take sworn statements, called depositions.
- Mediation: Judges often send cases to mediation, where a neutral person helps both sides try to reach a deal before trial.
- Trial: If no deal is reached, a judge or a jury of Tarrant County residents hears the case and decides the outcome.
- After the verdict: Either side may appeal if they believe a legal mistake was made.
Because we prepare every case for trial from the start, insurance companies know we're serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a car accident settlement take in Texas?
There's no set timeline, because every case is different. A simple claim with minor injuries might settle in a few weeks or months. A case with serious injuries often takes a year or longer. If a lawsuit has to be filed, it can take one to two years or more to reach a settlement or trial.
Several things affect how long it takes. One is how long you need medical treatment. We usually wait until you've reached maximum medical improvement, which means your doctor has a clear picture of your recovery, before settling. Another is how much fault each driver has, and whether the insurance company disputes it. Settling too early can mean you accept less than you need for future care. We'll give you an honest idea of what to expect based on your case, and we'll never rush you into a deal that isn't fair.
How do I deal with insurance adjusters after a car accident?
Be polite, but be careful. The other driver's adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to pay out as little as possible.
Here are some tips for dealing with them:
- Stick to basic facts, like your name and where the crash happened.
- Don't give a recorded statement before talking to a lawyer.
- Don't sign medical release forms that give the insurer access to your full medical history.
- Don't accept a quick settlement offer. Early offers are often much lower than what a claim is worth, and once you accept one, you usually can't ask for more.
- Keep records of every call, email, and letter.
Once you hire us, the adjusters deal with us instead of you. We handle the calls and the negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance in Texas?
You may still have options. If the other driver is uninsured, or if they don't have enough insurance to cover your losses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help. Under Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101, insurers must offer this coverage. If you turned it down, it has to be in writing. UM/UIM can help pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. It may also apply in hit-and-run crashes when the other driver can't be found. A separate property damage version can help with repairs to your car.
It can feel strange to make a claim against your own insurance company, and they don't always make it easy. They may still dispute your injuries or how much your claim is worth. We know how these claims work, and we can handle the process for you. Check your policy or call us, and we can help you figure out what coverage you have.
Speak With Car Accident Attorneys Today
The other side's insurer already has a plan for your claim, and it probably involves paying as little as possible. Whether your crash happened on I-30, at a busy intersection, or in a grocery store parking lot, Law Offices of Mark M. Childress, PLLC can step in, take over the phone calls, and make sure the full picture of what you've lost is on the table. Our personal injury attorneys help people across Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake, Tarrant County, and beyond.
Right now, your job is to heal. Ours is to deal with the paperwork, the adjusters, and the legal deadlines. When you call, we'll listen to your story, explain where you stand in plain language, and give you an honest take on what to do next. You won't be pressured into anything. You'll just have a clear view of your options and a team that's ready to act on them.
Call us today at (817) 497-8148 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with our trusted car accident legal team.
