Car accidents in Houston can cause serious injuries, financial strain, and long-term challenges for victims. If you were injured in a Houston car accident, you may have the right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A skilled car accident attorney in Houston, TX, can assist you in understanding your rights and exploring your options for pursuing compensation.
McLaurin Law provides experienced legal representation for car accident victims in the greater Houston area. Contact us today to request a consultation.
Houston has developed a reputation for its extensive number of car accidents each year. In 2024 alone, 301 people in Houston their lives in traffic accidents–a 10% increase from 2023—while thousands more suffered serious injuries.” Many more experienced serious, non-fatal injuries in car crashes.
Common causes of vehicle accidents in Houston include:
Identifying the cause of your accident can help you navigate the compensation process.
Texas follows an at-fault insurance system for car accident claims. This means the at-fault driver is generally responsible for paying for the other parties’ damages.
Determining who was at fault in your Texas car accident is an important first step in the compensation process. An officer may have made an initial fault determination in the police report based on their interpretation of the accident at the scene. However, this determination may not be fully accurate and is not binding.
Your Houston auto accident lawyer can help you investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather evidence to establish fault. Evidence might include:
Proving that another party was responsible for the accident can allow you to seek compensation through their insurance company or directly from them through a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence policy for auto accidents. This allows an injured party to recover damages from another party even if they were partially at fault for the accident.
As long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the crash, you may still recover damages. However, your compensation award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more responsible, Texas law bars recovery.
For example, if the insurance company finds you 20% responsible for the accident, you would generally be eligible to seek 80% of your damages from the other driver. Reducing your percentage of fault through compelling evidence can affect the amount of compensation you might be eligible for.
In an uninsured driver accident claim, you may need to seek a payout through your own insurance policy. A hit-and-run lawyer in Texas can help you understand whether you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that would apply.
The exact compensation you can seek after a car accident depends on your percentage of fault, your damages, and the compensation method you use. An experienced attorney can help you explore your options for compensation and calculate the value of your case.
Available compensation from an insurance policy in a Houston car accident case may include:
If you pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or their insurance company, you may also be able to seek non-economic damages to compensate for the physical and emotional impact the accident had on you that does not correlate to an exact monetary price. Non-economic damages might include:
Some car accident cases also give rise to punitive damages, which punish the responsible party for reckless or egregious behavior. Experienced car accident attorneys in Houston, TX, can help you determine whether a lawsuit makes sense and estimate the potential value of your case.
If your loved one passed away in a vehicle accident in Houston, seek car crash legal help to determine your rights and options. You may be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
In Texas, the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, and parents have the right to seek a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. If no family member files within three months of the date of death, the estate’s personal representative can initiate a case instead unless the family objects.
Wrongful death cases can give rise to economic and non-economic damages. You may have the right to seek compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of income, along with your family’s emotional distress and loss of companionship. A personal injury attorney in Houston can help you explore your legal options.
Car accident claims are not always straightforward. Whether you are having trouble navigating the process due to extensive injuries, the other party is not cooperating, or the insurance company has denied your claim, seeking assistance from an experienced attorney can help you move forward.
At McLaurin Law, our car accident attorneys in Houston, TX, provide legal guidance for accident victims. Call us today at 713-461-6500 to request a consultation.
The statute of limitations to sue after a car accident is generally two years from the accident date. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. If you miss this filing deadline, you risk the court dismissing your case. This is why it is important to speak with an attorney soon after your accident and start the legal process.
If you are 50% at fault for a car accident, you may still have the right to seek compensation from the other party. Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence law, an accident victim can pursue compensation from another party as long as they were less than 51% responsible for the crash.
If an insurer denies your accident claim, review the reason for the denial with an attorney. If the insurer acted in bad faith, you might have the right to take legal action against them under the Texas Insurance Code.
You might need a car accident attorney in Houston if you need help understanding the compensation process or are having trouble seeking a payout through insurance. An attorney can provide guidance and legal support.
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Typically, the answer to this is absolutely not. Insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests and will try to get you to settle for an offer that is far below what you deserve. At McLaurin Law, we can help you seek an appropriate settlement.
After an accident, you should typically file a claim with the insurance provider of the negligent party who is responsible for your accident. It is important that you move with haste in filing a personal injury claim with the insurance carrier after an injury has occurred. Should a lawsuit eventually become necessary, it is also important to keep in mind that in the state of Texas, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date the injury occurred.
Your number one priority should be your well-being. Seek out medical advice as soon as possible to ensure that you get the treatment you need. You should also move quickly to consult with an attorney to assist you with your personal injury claim. Critical events occur early in the personal injury claims process—such as interviews with adjusters and early damages assessments—so do not delay speaking with an attorney.
Browse our growing library of multimedia educational content to better understand the rules and processes involved in your Texas injury case or insurance claim. Review the items relevant to your issue, and let us know your questions.
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Available by Phone: 24/7