When Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Texas?

You were driving northbound on I-35W through Fort Worth when a delivery van rear-ended you at a red light near the Stockyards. Now, your neck is in pain, and the other driver’s insurance company is calling you before you have even seen a doctor.

You’re wondering whether this is a claim you can handle alone, if you need a lawyer, and how much time you actually have to make a decision.

Texas Car Accident Statute of Limitations

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years after the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, then you lose the right to sue.

Two years sounds like plenty of time to decide whether or not to hire a car accident lawyer, but long before the deadline approaches, evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and negotiations with insurers become more difficult.

A car accident lawyer can start preserving evidence and building your claim well before the two-year deadline approaches.

Signs You Need a Car Accident Lawyer

According to statewide crash data, Texas records hundreds of thousands of crashes every year. Often, these cases involve disputed liability and multiple vehicles, which makes navigating them alone much more complicated.

Certain facts about your crash can make legal guidance especially valuable and change how much money you can recover. Use the checklist below to see whether any of these circumstances apply to your claim:

Is there disputed liability? The police report, the other driver, or the insurer may blame you for the crash, but being partially at fault for a car accident in Texas does not dismiss your claim. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, you can still recover damages if you are found to be 50% percent or less at fault for the crash. An attorney can help you navigate disputed liability.

Will you require ongoing treatment? You may need legal help if your injury does not get better after a few days, and you need continued medical care instead of one visit to an ER and a bandage.

Was there a commercial vehicle involved? You may need legal assistance if a delivery truck, rideshare car, or fleet vehicle hit you. Federal safety rules require commercial trucking and fleet operators to preserve records that a truck accident claim depends on, but rideshare vehicles are usually governed by separate state rules instead. An attorney can determine which is which.

Was there a government vehicle or entity involved? If so, then Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 101.101 gives you 180 days to notify a government agency of your claim. Several cities (including Houston and San Antonio) shorten that deadline to 90 days. Contact an attorney to learn how to sue a government entity in Texas before the deadline approaches.

Were multiple vehicles involved? If more than one other car was involved, it usually means that multiple insurance policies and fault percentages will be disputed across several drivers, and an attorney will be able to explain how multiple car insurance policies work in Texas.

Has a recorded statement been requested? The adjuster may want a recorded statement from you before you have spoken with anyone about your claim. Insurers request these to gather material that they can use against you, and an attorney can advise what to do when insurers request recorded statements before you agree to make one.

Was an uninsured or underinsured driver involved? If the other driver has no insurance or carries only the state minimum required under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, then there may not be enough money to cover a serious injury. An attorney can explain your options if you are involved in an uninsured motorist accident.

Texas Car Accident Claim Timeline

Texas car accident claims follow their own timeline, and knowing where you are in the process will help you decide when to bring in a lawyer:

• Immediately: Document the scene and see a doctor, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask injuries that surface later.
• Within 24 to 72 hours: Expect the first call from an insurance adjuster. Read all paperwork closely, as it may include a liability release that could affect your right to seek additional compensation.
• Within 7 days: Report the claim to the appropriate parties and preserve evidence before it disappears.
• Within 30 days: Now is the time to decide whether you want to obtain legal representation. An attorney can often arrange medical treatment without requiring upfront payment.
• Up to 2 years after the crash: This is the statute of limitations deadline set by Section 16.003. After this date, you may no longer be able to file a claim.

Myths About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Three myths keep people from calling a lawyer after a Texas crash, and none of them are true:

Myth #1: Hiring a lawyer costs money upfront.
Reality: Contingency fee arrangements mean no upfront cost. The fee comes out of your recovery after the case is won.

Myth #2: It’s too late to hire a lawyer once you’re already dealing with the insurer directly.
Reality: An attorney can step in at nearly any point before the filing deadline approaches.

Myth #3: A minor injury doesn’t justify hiring a lawyer.
Reality: An injury that seems minor at first may require ongoing treatment, which means higher medical costs that you can recover.

What Happens After You Hire a Lawyer

Once you hire a lawyer, three things happen in order:

1. Case evaluation: A car accident lawyer in Texas will review the facts of the crash, your injuries, and liability before advising you on the next steps.
2. Contingency fee arrangement: You pay no upfront cost. The fee is a percentage of your recovery, not an out-of-pocket charge.
3. Ongoing claim management: Your attorney can manage communications with insurers, help preserve important evidence, and keep track of paperwork deadlines on your behalf, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Work with an Attorney on Your Injury Claim in Texas

Angel Reyes & Associates has over 30 years of experience representing injured Texans, with more than $1 billion recovered for clients.

You pay no fee unless we win your case. Contact Angel Reyes & Associates today for a free consultation.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.