Car Accidents

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Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer

Providing Dedicated Representation to Crash Victims Since 1976

Car accidents often result in extremely serious injuries that range from broken bones and loss of limbs to back injuries and disfigurement. Victims of car wrecks usually face significant medical bills, severe pain, and the inability to work for an extended period. In extreme car accident cases, these car accidents result in fatal injuries.

You might be entitled to legal compensation if you experienced an injury because of a negligent driver in Fort Worth. While some personal injury victims choose to represent themselves, having an experienced Fort Worth car accident lawyer represent you can make a big difference in the amount of compensation you recover. Law Office of James M. Stanley has been serving the community since 1976 and can help you as well.

Contact the Law Office of James M. Stanley today to schedule a free case evaluation and let our Fort Worth car accident lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Much Is Your Car Accident Case Worth?

Every case accident is different. Therefore, every car accident will have a different value. There are no hard and fast rules that dictate how much an insurance settlement will be or how much a jury will award. The value of your Fort Worth car accident case will ultimately depend on the strength of your accident case and the specific circumstances of your injuries. Therefore, it is essential to consult with a Fort Worth car accident attorney to get a more accurate representation of your eligible compensation.

Factors that may influence your Fort Worth car accident case’s value include:

The severity of your injuries
The cost of your medical treatments
The number of wages and income you have lost due to the loss
The amount of evidence and documentation proving the cause of the car accident
The strength of your legal representation

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Texas

All states limit the time you have to take legal action after being harmed by another party. This is commonly referred to as a “statute of limitations,” which sets a hard deadline on all personal injury claims in Texas, including those related to car accidents. This helps ensure significant evidence doesn’t get lost and that any witnesses called to testify are recalling recent memories.

How Long Do You Have to Sue for a Car Accident in Texas?

In Texas, you have two years to file a lawsuit against the person or party responsible for your car accident in pursuit of compensation. If you do not file a personal injury claim before the statute of limitations expires, you lose your right to seek legal action. Since the statute of limitations can make or break your auto accident case, it is vital to act quickly after a car crash and retain powerful legal representation to ensure that you are compliant with all applicable deadlines.

Is Texas a No-Fault State?

Texas is not a “no-fault” state for car insurance. On the contrary, it is considered an “at fault” or “comparative fault” state, which means that insurance companies will evaluate fault in a car accident before providing coverage, and the “at-fault” drivers’ insurers will cover any damages.

Because Texas uses this fault-based system, what you say and do after a crash in places like I-35W, I-30, or Loop 820 around Fort Worth can directly affect who is held responsible. Police reports, witness statements, and photographs from the scene all become crucial evidence that insurers will examine closely. When you work with a car accident attorney Fort Worth residents trust, we can help gather and present this evidence in a way that supports your claim under Texas law.

In other states, “no-fault” coverage allows insurers to provide coverage to their respective parties, no matter who is at fault.

Because they will be expected to cover the damages of any car accident they cause, Texas drivers are required to carry these policy minimums:

$25,000 for property damage
$30,000 per person for bodily injury
$60,000 per accident for bodily injury

If you carry insurance in Texas, your policy will pay for the other party’s medical bills and property damage whenever a car accident is your fault. Similarly, if the other party causes a collision, their insurer will pay for your lost property and medical treatments.

Sometimes, the fault is split into percentages. For example, a 50% fault accident is considered a “no-fault” accident, and each party’s insurer will take care of it privately. If someone else is 100% at-fault for your auto accident, you will be able to collect 100% of the insurance payout, but your payout may be reduced if they are only 75% at fault.

Many Texas drivers prefer to pay for additional coverage, so they are fully covered in the event of an auto accident. One example of additional coverage is insurance for uninsured or underinsured drivers. When you carry this coverage, your insurer may be able to make up for whatever another party’s insurance policy cannot cover.

If you need help dealing with insurance companies, our law offices in Fort Worth, Texas, are here to help!

What Is Modified Comparative Negligence

As we’ve discussed above, breaking fault down into percentages creates a unique negligence system in Texas. Even if someone else behaved carelessly, your actions could be brought into question if they weren’t 100% by the book.

For instance, if someone else was texting while driving, but you made an unsafe lane change, your lane change might be used against you when determining negligence, even though the other driver’s behavior was the primary cause of the auto accident.

We call this Texas law section “comparative negligence” or “proportionate responsibility.”

Unfortunately, comparative negligence can affect your settlement. However, with the help of our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys, you may be able to securely and fully establish the other party’s responsibility.

Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Fort Worth

What you do in the minutes and days after a crash in Fort Worth can significantly affect both your health and your legal options. After you move your vehicle to a safe place, call 911 so law enforcement and emergency medical services can respond, especially if the collision happens on busy roads such as I-20, U.S. 287, or near downtown. Accept medical care at the scene if it is offered, because documenting your injuries right away creates a clear record that links your symptoms to the wreck.

Once the immediate emergency has passed, you should report the crash to your insurance company, gather copies of the crash report from the Fort Worth Police Department or the Texas Department of Transportation, and keep all paperwork in one place. Avoid giving recorded statements to any insurance adjuster before you fully understand your rights, and do not sign any releases or settlement documents until you have had them reviewed. Speaking with an auto accident attorney Fort Worth drivers can turn to for guidance allows you to understand how these early decisions may affect your ability to pursue compensation.

How to Properly Deal with the Insurance Company

Whatever you do, do not accept the first offer from an insurance company without consulting a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies try to limit how much they pay out, which can result in an offer that does not adequately cover your injuries. With experienced legal counsel by your side, you can be confident in receiving your fair share of compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and damages to your property.

Some important points to remember when dealing with insurance companies after a car accident include:

Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators, first and foremost. While they may seem friendly and helpful, they never forget that they are primarily concerned with protecting the insurance company’s interests.
Insurance companies are not obligated to treat you fairly or promptly. Therefore, even if you and the other driver cooperate fully, they may deny your claim.
Do not be surprised if the insurer asserts you are exaggerating your injuries or claims they are part of a pre-existing condition. Always keep copies of medical records about your treatment as evidence.
Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can and will be used against you, so be mindful of what you say.
If you do not accept the insurance company’s first offer, they may begin to ignore you or intentionally delay your claim. Hiring an attorney is the best way to keep your claim on track.

Can I File a Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?

Once you accept any insurance settlement, it is usually difficult to recover more compensation since most settlements state that the amount agreed upon will be the only money paid to the injured party. However, if you have already signed an agreement, you may still have options. Call an auto accident attorney at our Fort Worth law firm today to learn the next steps you can take.

Car Accident Cases We Handle

Several negligent and reckless actions can cause a car crash. Our Fort Fort Worth law firm has handled many different car accident cases involving:

No matter what caused your car accident or what types of vehicles were involved, we want to discuss your options to see if we can help you recover the compensation you are owed!

Why Hire a Fort Worth Auto Accident Lawyer?

At the Law Office of James M. Stanley, our Fort Worth auto accident team can fight to obtain the maximum compensation on your behalf. We approach every personal injury case with comprehensive investigations and diligent preparation.

No matter how your accident was caused or who was involved, we will not stop until we identify all responsible parties. In every case we take, we always prepare as if we are going to trial. This sends a message to the insurance companies that we are serious about your injury case.

We can help you craft the most compelling case by:

Reviewing police reports
Reviewing the medical records of the treatment you received
Interviewing witnesses
Accessing traffic camera footage
Investigating the history of the other driver
Reviewing cell phone records

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Fort Worth?

The first step is to seek medical attention for any injuries and call the police to file an official crash report. Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage and gathering contact information from witnesses. After you have secured the scene and your health, contact a Fort Worth car accident lawyer before speaking to any insurance companies.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer at the Law Office of James M. Stanley?

Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases in Texas. This means you pay no upfront costs or hourly fees for our legal representation. We only get paid a percentage of your settlement or verdict if we successfully recover financial compensation on your behalf.

What kind of compensation can I recover after a car crash?

Victims of negligent drivers in Texas may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. This can include payment for past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and vehicle repair costs. You may also seek compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from your injuries.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Texas?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is generally two years from the date of the collision. Failing to file a lawsuit within this strict timeframe usually means you lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. Reaching out to an attorney promptly helps ensure critical evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.

Will my car accident case go to court?

Many personal injury claims are resolved through negotiated settlements with the insurance company without ever stepping foot inside a courtroom. However, if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement that covers your losses, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and present your case to a Tarrant County jury to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

What if the other driver does not have insurance?

If you are hit by an uninsured driver in Fort Worth, you may still have options for financial recovery. We can review your own auto insurance policy to see if you carry uninsured motorist coverage, which can step in to cover your medical expenses and property damage up to your policy limits.

Demand Maximum Compensation With a Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney

Insurance companies will start building a case against you the moment a crash occurs on Texas roads. Waiting to seek legal counsel can jeopardize your physical recovery and leave you with mounting medical debt. Let the legal team at the Law Office of James M. Stanley protect your rights and aggressively pursue the financial settlement you need to rebuild your life in Fort Worth.

Call our firm at (817) 591-4222 immediately for a free consultation and let us take the burden off your shoulders.