Award-Winning Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Texas is an at-fault state. This means the driver who caused the accident and their insurance company is responsible for paying the injured party's damages. Unlike no-fault states, Texas does not require you to file a claim with your own insurance first. You have the right to pursue the at-fault driver for compensation. This is important because it gives injured victims access to full damages, including pain and suffering, rather than being limited to what a personal injury protection policy covers.

No, not before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to use recorded statements to minimize or deny claims. Even an innocent answer about how you "feel" after the crash can be used to argue your injuries are minor. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Politely decline and contact a Houston car accident attorney first.

Almost certainly not. Insurers make initial offers before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs are known. Accepting early can permanently waive your right to more compensation later even if your condition worsens. A fair settlement accounts for all medical bills, future treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and lasting impairment. Once you sign a release, there is no going back.

Fault is proven through a combination of the official crash report, photos and video from the scene, witness statements, physical evidence, traffic laws, and sometimes expert accident reconstruction. Insurance companies run their own investigation, which is why getting legal help early before evidence is lost is critical. Texas uses proportionate responsibility rules, meaning fault can be split between multiple parties, which affects how much each can recover.

Depending on the facts, multiple parties may share liability. If the at-fault driver was working at the time, their employer may be liable. If a defective vehicle part caused or worsened the crash, the manufacturer could be on the hook. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft carry commercial insurance that may apply. Identifying every liable party not just the obvious one can greatly increase the total compensation available to you.

The majority of car accident cases settle before trial through negotiation. However, insurance companies take cases far more seriously — and offer much higher settlements — when they know your attorney is genuinely prepared to go to court. At Baumgartner Law Firm, we prepare every case as if it will be tried. If the insurer refuses to make a fair offer, we are fully ready to take your case before a Harris County jury. The willingness to go to trial is often the leverage that produces the best results.

Studies by the Insurance Research Council found that injury victims represented by attorneys receive significantly more compensation than those who handle claims on their own, roughly 3.5 times more on average. A lawyer handles all insurer communications, preserves critical evidence, calculates the full value of your damages, including future costs, and negotiates from a position of strength. The contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless you recover, so there is no financial risk to getting representation.

Yes, in most cases. Texas law gives car accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, waiting too long creates real problems, evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and insurance companies gain leverage. If you were hurt in a Houston car accident and haven't yet spoken with an attorney, call us now. You still likely have time, but the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.