A car crash can turn an ordinary day into a stressful, painful, and uncertain experience. Whether the collision happened on I-30 during a morning commute, along a quiet neighborhood street, or in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, the aftermath often brings more than physical damage. You may be facing injuries, phone calls from insurance adjusters, questions about vehicle repairs, and missed time from work—all while trying to focus on your recovery.
These moments can feel chaotic, but you do not have to go through them on your own. Texas law gives injured drivers and passengers the right to seek compensation when someone else’s actions caused the crash. Keep reading to learn about your rights under Texas law, explore the most common causes of vehicle collisions in Fort Worth, and discover how Patterson Law Group helps local families take control of the legal process with confidence and clarity.
Why Fort Worth Families Trust Patterson Law Group With Their Recovery
When families in Fort Worth call our office, they are usually navigating one of the hardest moments of their lives. They need more than a legal expert. They need a team that listens, responds, and works in their best interest from day one. At Patterson Law Group, we focus our attention on the people we serve—not the number of cases we can process.
We limit our caseloads so every client gets meaningful attention. We offer direct attorney access, clear updates, and guidance that reflects your unique needs. Everything we do is designed to help you move forward with practical, consistent support.
A Personalized Approach for Every Fort Worth Client
Every case we handle begins with a conversation. We want to understand how your crash affected your life, what you are worried about, and what your goals are for recovery. From there, we build a strategy tailored to your situation. This is not a one-size-fits-all process. Your injury, your work life, your family obligations, and your future all play a role in how we prepare your case.
We take the time to gather the right records, speak with your care providers, and map out a legal plan that reflects what you actually need to get back on track.
Legal Guidance That Moves as Fast as Your Recovery Needs To
Some cases require urgent intervention, while others move at a slower pace due to medical complications or ongoing treatment. We adapt to both. Our team moves quickly to secure critical evidence, request crash reports, and contact witnesses. At the same time, we remain flexible and responsive as your condition evolves.
You will hear from us throughout your case. We explain what to expect, answer your questions in plain language, and keep you informed about every decision point. You will not need to chase updates or guess where things stand. Our job is to manage the legal work so you can focus on healing.
Decades of Dedication to Tarrant County Families
Patterson Law Group has deep roots in Fort Worth. We have represented clients across the city and throughout Tarrant County for decades. Our familiarity with local courts, medical networks, and traffic conditions gives us valuable insight when building a case.
Whether the crash happened in Riverside, near the Stockyards, or along Camp Bowie Boulevard, our team understands the context—and that helps us ask better questions, anticipate challenges, and advocate effectively. We are proud to serve our neighbors, and we take that responsibility seriously in every case.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Car Crash in Fort Worth
Many people are unsure whether they have a legal claim after a crash. They may assume their injuries are too minor, that the insurance company will handle everything, or that being partly at fault disqualifies them from compensation. In reality, Texas personal injury law protects a broad range of crash victims—and understanding how it works can help you protect your future.
Texas law allows people injured by another driver’s careless or unsafe behavior to pursue compensation for their losses. This legal concept is known as negligence. If another driver caused the crash by texting, speeding, driving while intoxicated, or ignoring traffic signals, they may be held financially responsible for the harm they caused. This can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Texas follows a system called modified comparative fault. If you were partly responsible for the crash but not more than 50 percent at fault, you may still be eligible to recover compensation. However, the amount you receive may be reduced based on your share of the blame. We help you understand this rule and how it applies to your specific case.
Legal guidance can prevent common mistakes and help ensure that your rights are protected from the beginning. Our team reviews the facts, preserves evidence, and builds a claim that reflects the full scope of your losses—so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal side.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tarrant County
Fort Worth’s road network is large and varied, covering everything from dense downtown intersections to fast-moving highways. Traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and driver behavior all play a role in the number and severity of collisions that occur across Tarrant County. Understanding what caused your crash can help strengthen your case and ensure that the right party is held accountable.
- Distracted driving on I-35 and I-20. Drivers who text, scroll, or take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds put everyone around them at risk. High-speed corridors like I-35 and I-20 leave little margin for error, and distracted driving often leads to rear-end crashes and multi-vehicle collisions.
- Speeding near downtown or on surface roads. Drivers who exceed the speed limit or fail to adjust for traffic and weather conditions increase the likelihood of losing control or failing to stop in time. Speed is a major factor in many intersection collisions and pedestrian accidents throughout Fort Worth.
- Drunk driving incidents. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs continues to be a major cause of serious injuries and fatalities in Texas. These crashes are preventable, and those responsible must be held accountable for the harm they cause.
- Failing to yield or running red lights. Intersections are a common location for high-impact collisions. Many drivers misjudge yellow lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield while turning—often resulting in dangerous side-impact crashes.
- Rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic. Traffic congestion is common on Loop 820, near shopping centers, and around schools. Drivers who are not paying attention can easily cause chain-reaction crashes in these areas. Even at lower speeds, these collisions often lead to serious neck and back injuries.
- Poor weather or road conditions. Wet pavement, fog, and road debris can reduce visibility and traction. Drivers who do not adjust their speed or following distance can be held responsible when they fail to operate safely under these conditions.
Each of these scenarios involves a choice that could have been avoided. If your crash was caused by another driver’s actions, our firm can help gather the evidence needed to hold them accountable and pursue the compensation you are entitled to under Texas law.
Injuries We Commonly See in Fort Worth Crash Claims
After a car accident, the severity of your injuries might not be clear right away. You may feel sore or shaken, but are still able to move, speak, and function. Many people assume their injuries are minor, only to discover days or weeks later that the pain has worsened or that certain movements have become more difficult.
Some injuries are easy to identify. Others take time to develop or are dismissed at first. Whether you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, headaches, or emotional distress, getting evaluated by a medical professional early can help protect both your health and your claim. These are some of the most common injuries our firm sees in Fort Worth crash cases:
- Whiplash and neck strain. Rear-end collisions frequently result in whiplash, which occurs when the neck is suddenly forced forward and backward. These soft tissue injuries may not appear on imaging tests but can still cause intense pain, limited range of motion, and headaches that persist for weeks or longer.
- Back and spinal injuries. Damage to the spine can lead to herniated discs, nerve pain, or loss of mobility. Even lower back strain can make it difficult to stand, walk, or work. Spinal injuries often require physical therapy, chiropractic care, or surgery depending on severity.
- Concussions and TBIs. A concussion is a type of brain injury that can occur even without a direct blow to the head. Many crash victims experience confusion, memory issues, nausea, or sensitivity to light or sound. If left untreated, traumatic brain injuries can cause long-term cognitive problems.
- Broken bones and fractures. Collisions commonly result in broken arms, wrists, ribs, or legs. Some fractures heal with rest and immobilization, while others require surgery and extended rehabilitation. Fractures can limit independence and lead to time away from work and other responsibilities.
- Airbag or seatbelt injuries. These safety devices help prevent more severe trauma but can still cause injuries of their own. Airbags may lead to bruises, facial injuries, or burns. Seatbelt tension during a crash can cause chest bruising or internal soreness that should not be ignored.
- Emotional distress and trauma. A serious crash can leave lasting emotional effects. Many people develop anxiety, difficulty sleeping, or fear about driving. These reactions are real and deserve treatment. Therapy and counseling may be part of your recovery, and your legal claim can reflect this emotional toll.
These injuries can interfere with daily life long after the crash. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek care and speak with a lawyer who can help you protect your rights.
What To Do in the Days Following a Car Wreck
After a crash, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with pain, disrupted transportation, and concerns about insurance or repairs. Taking a few important steps during the early days after the accident can help protect your well-being and support your legal claim.
Seek Medical Care, Even If You Feel Fine
Some injuries take time to show symptoms. Delaying treatment can cause conditions to worsen and create problems for your claim. A doctor’s evaluation helps identify injuries early and creates a record that links your medical issues to the crash.
Document the Scene and Any Visible Injuries
Photos of your vehicle, the crash location, and your injuries can support your version of events. These images often provide key context for what happened and how serious the damage was.
Request the Crash Report From Fort Worth PD
The police report includes important information about how the crash occurred and who may be at fault. You can request your report through the Fort Worth Police Department’s official channels. This document will likely play a major role in your claim.
Keep Records of Expenses and Missed Work
Save receipts, medical bills, and documentation related to time off from work. These records help calculate financial losses and demonstrate how the accident has affected your daily life.
Avoid Posting About the Accident Online
Social media posts—even ones that seem harmless—can be taken out of context by insurers. Avoid discussing the accident or your recovery online while your case is active.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Early
Legal guidance at the beginning of your case helps avoid common mistakes. An attorney can assist with evidence collection, manage communications with insurance companies, and build a case that accurately reflects the impact of your injury.
Dealing With Insurance After a Crash in Fort Worth
After a crash, the first phone call from an insurance adjuster may sound helpful. They might ask how you’re doing, offer to start processing your claim, or encourage you to settle quickly. While this can feel like a step toward resolution, their primary responsibility is to protect the insurance company—not you.
Recorded Statements Can Be Risky
Adjusters often request recorded statements early in the process. They may ask you to describe how the crash happened or to explain how you are feeling. These questions can seem harmless, but they are designed to gather information that may be used to reduce or deny your claim later.
At this early stage, you may not fully understand the extent of your injuries or how the crash will affect your work and daily life. Giving a statement without legal guidance puts your case at risk. You are not required to speak on record, and in most cases, it is better to wait until you have talked to an attorney.
Early Settlement Offers May Not Cover Everything
Insurance companies often push for early settlements. These offers can seem tempting, especially if you are out of work or facing medical bills. However, initial settlement amounts rarely reflect the full scope of your recovery needs. Once you accept a payment, you may waive your right to pursue additional compensation—even if new symptoms arise or your treatment becomes more complicated.
Accepting too soon may solve one problem while creating others. It is important to know what your case is worth before agreeing to anything in writing.
How Our Team Protects You From Pressure
Our firm handles all communication with the insurance company. We speak to adjusters, respond to requests for documentation, and push back against low or misleading offers. You will not have to handle frustrating phone calls or make difficult decisions alone.
We also explain each offer in clear, simple terms so you understand what it means for your future. Our goal is to give you the space to focus on your recovery while we take care of the negotiation process and advocate for fair compensation.
Who Pays for What After an Accident in Fort Worth?
After a crash in Fort Worth, one of the first concerns is who will pay for the resulting costs. Texas follows a fault-based insurance system, which means the driver who caused the accident—and their insurance provider—is typically responsible for the damages. Knowing how each type of coverage works can help protect your financial recovery and ensure no expenses are overlooked.
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
Texas law requires every driver to maintain liability insurance that includes both bodily injury and property damage coverage. Bodily injury coverage helps pay for the other party’s medical expenses, lost income, and related injury costs. Property damage coverage pays to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle and any damaged property, such as fences, signs, or mailboxes.
If another driver caused your accident and has sufficient insurance, their liability policy is usually the first source we pursue when seeking compensation for your losses.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal injury protection, or PIP, covers your own medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. Texas insurers must offer PIP to all drivers, but it can be declined in writing. If you have this coverage, it can help you handle early medical costs or household expenses while your liability claim is pending. We assist clients in accessing PIP benefits quickly so they can focus on recovery instead of financial stress.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
When the at-fault driver has no insurance—or too little to cover your damages—uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can provide an additional layer of protection. This coverage is optional in Texas but highly recommended, as many Fort Worth drivers remain uninsured. UM/UIM coverage is also essential in hit-and-run accidents where the responsible driver cannot be identified. Our team evaluates your policy and manages the claims process to make sure you recover all compensation available to you.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Lost Wages
Even with insurance coverage, crash victims often face additional costs such as co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, or medical equipment. Serious injuries may also prevent you from working, leading to lost income. We help clients organize and document these expenses to include in their final settlement demand. For long-term or permanent injuries, we work with financial professionals to estimate future losses and protect your financial stability.
By understanding how these coverage types interact, we can build a comprehensive strategy to recover every dollar you deserve. We review all available insurance policies, negotiate directly with adjusters, and ensure that you are not left paying for someone else’s mistake after an accident in Fort Worth.
Can You Still File if You Were Partially at Fault?
Some car accidents involve more than one contributing factor. You may have made a mistake behind the wheel, but that does not always mean you are fully responsible for what happened. If you are unsure whether your actions affect your ability to file a claim, it is important to understand how Texas law handles shared fault.
How Modified Comparative Fault Works in Texas
Texas uses a rule known as modified comparative fault, which allows injured people to recover compensation as long as they are not more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. If your share of the blame is 51 percent or higher, you may be barred from receiving any compensation. However, if you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover damages.
The amount you receive is adjusted based on your percentage of responsibility. For example, if a court finds that you were 20 percent responsible and the total damages were $100,000, your recovery would be reduced by $20,000. You would still be entitled to collect the remaining $80,000.
Why Insurance Companies Shift Blame
Insurance companies often use comparative fault to their advantage. They may argue that your decisions contributed more to the crash than they actually did. This strategy helps them lower the amount they are required to pay—or avoid paying altogether.
Adjusters might suggest that you were speeding slightly, that you failed to brake in time, or that you did not react as quickly as another driver might have. These claims are often exaggerated or unsupported. Without legal guidance, you may not know how to respond or what evidence is needed to push back.
How We Prove Your Side of the Story
Our team at Patterson Law Group examines every aspect of your case to ensure fault is accurately assigned. We review the crash report, analyze vehicle damage, interview witnesses, and gather video footage when available. We also work with experts to reconstruct the crash when necessary, especially in complex or disputed cases.
This detailed review allows us to build a clear, fact-based narrative that supports your position and counters claims that you were more responsible than the facts suggest. If the insurance company misrepresents your share of fault, we respond with strong evidence and experienced legal arguments.
Why You Should Not Assume the Worst
Many people choose not to speak with a lawyer because they think being partly at fault means they have no case. That decision often leaves compensation on the table. Even if your role in the crash seems minor, it is worth having your case evaluated.
Texas law provides a path for partial fault claims, and we help clients understand what to expect and how to move forward. A short conversation can clarify your rights and help you avoid mistakes that could limit your recovery. If you were injured and another driver contributed to the crash, you deserve to have your story heard—and your claim taken seriously.
How Long Do You Have To File a Car Accident Claim in Texas?
Timing plays an important role in every personal injury case. In Texas, the standard statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is two years from the date of the crash. This legal deadline applies whether you are filing a claim for physical injuries, property damage, or wrongful death. If you miss the two-year window, you may lose the right to recover compensation—regardless of how strong your case might be.
Although two years may seem like a long time, waiting can create significant problems. Evidence may be lost or destroyed, memories fade, and documents become harder to collect. Insurance companies may also take advantage of delays to challenge your version of events or limit what they offer.
There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations. These are rare but may include situations involving minors, cases where the at-fault party could not be located, or circumstances involving delayed discovery of injury. If you believe one of these exceptions may apply to your case, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Even if the crash happened several months ago and you have not taken legal action yet, there is still time to explore your options. The sooner you act, the better your chances of building a strong claim with proper documentation and preserved evidence.
How Our Fort Worth Lawyers Build Strong Car Accident Cases
When you contact Patterson Law Group after a crash, our team begins working behind the scenes immediately. We understand that a strong case is not built with shortcuts. It requires thoughtful preparation, precise documentation, and consistent communication. Our goal is to relieve you of legal stress while ensuring your case reflects the full impact of your injuries and losses.
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Our process starts by gathering the facts. We obtain police reports, review photographs of the crash scene, and speak with witnesses who may have seen what happened. If video footage is available from traffic cameras or local businesses, we request copies and preserve them as evidence.
We also collect your medical records, imaging results, and treatment notes. These documents help connect your injuries to the crash and show how your condition is progressing. In more complex cases, we work with medical experts who can explain the long-term effects of your injuries and support your claim with clear, credible testimony.
Every piece of evidence we gather strengthens your case and improves your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.
Case Management and Client Support
Once we have a clear understanding of your injuries and the events surrounding the crash, we begin coordinating with the insurance companies involved. Our team handles phone calls, prepares and files documents, and makes sure each deadline is met without delay.
You will not have to guess about the next step. We provide regular updates, explain legal procedures in plain terms, and respond quickly to your questions. We also make sure that your medical providers, accident reports, and billing information are all properly submitted and organized.
If a case cannot be resolved through negotiation, we are prepared to move forward with litigation. We take the same careful approach to preparing for trial as we do in building every other part of your case. That way, if your claim needs to be heard in court, you can move forward with confidence.
Adapting Strategy to Match Your Recovery
No two injuries follow the same path, and your legal case should reflect that. Some clients experience setbacks or complications during recovery, while others make steady progress. We stay in contact with your care providers and adjust our approach to ensure the claim matches your current and future needs.
This flexibility also applies to how we communicate. If you need additional support, a more hands-on explanation of a legal issue, or help coordinating care and documentation, we respond with practical solutions. We do not rely on a formula. We focus on what helps you feel supported, heard, and protected.
Our role is to make sure that the legal side of your recovery moves with the same care and attention you receive from your doctors and support team. We are here to help carry the weight so you can focus on healing.
We Care More About Your Life Than Your Lawsuit
Every crash victim we represent is dealing with more than just legal concerns. They are dealing with real-life disruption—physical pain, emotional stress, financial instability, and uncertainty about the future. Our team never loses sight of that. We know your recovery involves more than a settlement figure.
That is why we provide support that reaches beyond the legal file. Many clients come to us needing more than legal advice. They may need help scheduling follow-up care, dealing with a totaled vehicle, or managing conversations with doctors and employers. We help with those things too.
We also know that good communication makes a difficult situation more manageable. Our attorneys and staff check in regularly, explain each step of the process, and respond when questions arise. We want you to feel heard, supported, and protected from the beginning of your case through the final resolution.
Start Your Recovery With a Free Consultation Today
You have been through a difficult experience. Whether the crash happened last week or several months ago, you may still be dealing with pain, uncertainty, or pressure from an insurance company. You do not need to have all the answers right now. What you need is a conversation with someone who will listen, explain your rights, and help you understand what to expect next.
Patterson Law Group offers free consultations to people injured in car accidents across Fort Worth and Tarrant County. You can speak directly with an attorney, share what happened, and ask the questions that have been on your mind. We will give you honest feedback and explain whether we believe we can help.
If we take your case, you will not pay anything upfront. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if we recover compensation for you. There are no hidden fees and no financial risk in reaching out.
You deserve support during your recovery—not pressure, confusion, or guesswork. Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation. We are here to help you take the next step forward with clarity and confidence.
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