Key Takeaways from a Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer
- Texas is an at-fault state, and the person who caused the accident matters for compensation.
- You have just two years to file a car accident lawsuit in Texas.
- Hiring a Fort Worth car accident lawyer can improve your chances of full recovery.
- Texas drivers must carry minimum liability insurance—but it often isn’t enough.
- Patterson Law Group offers personalized representation for accident victims.
When the Ordinary Turns to Chaos: Why You Need Legal Help After a Crash
It starts like any other day. You grab your keys, head out the door, and maybe tune in to your favorite radio station while sipping coffee. Then, out of nowhere—screeching tires, a sudden jolt, broken glass. The world stops for a moment. In the blink of an eye, your routine day has turned into a tangled mess of tow trucks, hospital visits, and insurance adjusters.
A car accident is more than just metal-on-metal. It’s the emotional shock, the physical pain, and the endless wave of questions: Who’s at fault? What are my rights? Will insurance cover this? That’s when the team at Patterson Law Group steps in.
As a trusted car wreck law firm in Fort Worth, Texas, we guide injured drivers through the legal chaos with compassion and clarity. Our goal is simple: help you get the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing.
Understanding Car Accident Liability in Texas
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system. This means that after a car crash, the amount you can recover in damages is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover anything under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001.
Let’s say you were rear-ended at a red light, but your brake lights were out. If the other driver is found to be 80% at fault and you’re 20% at fault, you can still recover compensation—just 80% of the total amount awarded.
This rule makes proving liability incredibly important. That’s why having an experienced Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer on your side is critical. Our team investigates every detail—police reports, camera footage, witness statements—to build a case showing who’s responsible.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Worth
In 2024, there was a reduction in traffic fatalities in Texas, with 1.997 reported, a reduction from the 2,065 reported in 2023.
One of the main contributing factors to fatal traffic accidents is distracted driving, which caused 2,587 serious injuries and 373 deaths in 2024.
- Other factors that contributed to accidents in 2024 throughout the state include:
- Following too closely
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to avoid a collision
- Excessive speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to prevent a collision
Our firm has handled cases involving every type of accident, from minor fender benders to life-altering highway collisions. No matter how your crash happened, we’re here to fight for you.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
As your Fort Worth car accident lawyer, we help you recover full and fair compensation for all your losses. In a typical claim, you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses (past, current, and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, in extreme cases
We work with medical professionals, economists, and accident reconstructionists to make sure your claim includes every relevant damage. Insurance companies will try to downplay your injuries. We push back with evidence.
Insurance Requirements and Limitations in Texas
Every driver in Texas is required by law to carry minimum liability insurance:
- $30,000 for injury to one person
- $60,000 for injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
(known as 30/60/25 coverage)
However, these minimums often fall far short in serious collisions. Medical bills alone can easily exceed $30,000. That’s why we explore every available option—including underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, employer liability (in commercial vehicle cases), and even product liability in defective vehicle claims.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Wreck
If you’re in an accident, your actions in the moments and days that follow can significantly impact your claim:
- Call 911 and report the crash.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel “fine.”
- Document the scene—take photos, exchange info, and get witness contact details.
- Avoid admitting fault, even casually.
- Contact an auto accident attorney in Fort Worth before contacting the insurance company.
Don’t assume the insurer is on your side. Their job is to protect profits—not people.
Why Choose Patterson Law Group?
We’re not a national chain or some faceless corporate office. Patterson Law Group is a Fort Worth-based car wreck law firm that genuinely cares about our community. We treat clients like neighbors, not case files. Our team knows the local courts, judges, and laws inside and out—and we bring that home-field advantage to every case.
Our firm offers:
- Free consultations
- No fees unless we win
- Personalized case strategy
- Quick, clear communication
- Aggressive negotiations and courtroom representation
We’re the team to call when you need someone to stand up to the insurance companies and fight for what’s fair.
Real Clients, Real Results
We’ve helped Fort Worth residents recover millions in verdicts and settlements. Our proven record of success includes catastrophic injury cases and disputed liability crashes. Our client-first philosophy means we never take shortcuts or settle for less than you deserve.
FAQ: Fort Worth Car Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003). If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover damages.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
You may still recover through uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or other parties that may share liability, like an employer if the at-fault driver was working during the crash.
Will I have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Many car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your Fort Worth car accident lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes—so long as you’re less than 51% at fault. Your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your level of responsibility.
How much does it cost to hire your Fort Worth car accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we win your case.
What should I bring to my free consultation?
Bring anything you have: the crash report, medical records, photos of the accident scene or your injuries, witness info, and any communication from the insurance company. The more information you provide, the better we can assess your case.
Call Our Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Today
You didn’t ask to be in an accident. But now that it’s happened, you deserve support, guidance, and justice. At Patterson Law Group, we understand how disruptive a crash can be—and how hard insurance companies work to avoid paying. Our role is to flip that script.
Let us handle the legal side of things while you focus on recovery. Whether it’s a simple claim or a complicated case involving multiple parties, our auto accident attorneys in Fort Worth are ready to step in and fight for your future.
Don’t wait. Call our Fort Worth office or complete a free case evaluation form today. We’re here when you need us most.
