Personal Injury
Auto Collisions
Two-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes on US-83, Expressway 83, and rural FM roads across South Texas.
Auto collisions are the most common personal injury case we handle, and they are rarely as simple as the insurance company makes them sound. A rear-end on Expressway 83, a left-turn collision at an unmarked intersection in Roma, a multi-vehicle pile-up in fog on US-281 - each one has its own evidence trail that starts disappearing the moment the tow truck pulls away.
In Texas, the at-fault driver and their insurance carrier are responsible for the harm they cause. That sounds straightforward until the adjuster calls with a quick settlement offer, asks for a recorded statement, or tells you your injuries are pre-existing. Those tactics work because most people are still in pain, still missing work, and not thinking about the long-term value of their case.
Our firm handles the documentation, the negotiation, and the litigation. We send preservation letters to lock down dash-cam and 911 audio, request the full crash report and any 911 transcript, and coordinate with treating providers so the medical record reflects what actually happened. When the offer does not match the harm, we file suit in Starr, Hidalgo, or Cameron County depending on venue.
You owe nothing unless we recover. The contingency fee comes out of the recovery, not out of your pocket, and we advance case expenses so you do not have to choose between treatment and a strong case.
Common scenarios
Situations we see often
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Rear-end collision on Expressway 83
You are stopped in traffic. The driver behind you is on their phone and never brakes. Your neck and lower back are not right after the crash and the pain gets worse over the next 72 hours.
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Left-turn crash at an uncontrolled intersection
An oncoming driver turns across your lane on a rural FM road. They claim you were speeding. The only witness is the passenger in their car.
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Hit-and-run at a parking lot exit
A driver clips your bumper backing out of an HEB lot and leaves before you can get a plate. You have a deductible, a sore shoulder, and your UM coverage you did not know you had.
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Multi-vehicle pile-up in fog
Five cars stack up on US-281 at dawn. Three different insurance companies want statements before sunset. You do not yet know who was first to brake.
Anonymized case stories
Real-life examples
Every case is unique. Identifying details have been modified to protect client confidentiality.
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A delivery driver was rear-ended at a red light on Expressway 83. The at-fault carrier offered $9,500 the same week, before the client had even seen a specialist. After MRI confirmed a herniated disc and we built the lost-earning-capacity damages model, the case resolved in the low-six-figure range.
Settled pre-suit, low six figures.
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A multi-vehicle pile-up in pre-dawn fog on US-281 had three different insurance carriers pointing fingers. We secured 911 audio, DPS dash-cam, and a nearby business surveillance feed within 72 hours, which resolved the sequence question and put liability on a single carrier.
Liability resolved, full policy limits tendered.
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A hit-and-run client thought she had no case because the other driver was never identified. We pulled her own auto policy, identified UM / UIM coverage she did not know she had, and recovered against her own carrier for medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
UM / UIM recovery without identifying the at-fault driver.
What to do
If this happens to you
Call 911 from the scene if it is safe to do so. A police report creates an official record of who was where, what was said, and any citations issued. Photograph every vehicle from multiple angles, the position in the lane, debris, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Get names and phone numbers for every witness before they leave.
Go to a doctor the same day, even if you "feel okay". Adrenaline masks soft-tissue and concussion symptoms for 24 to 72 hours. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance carrier, do not sign any release, and do not accept the first settlement offer before talking to an attorney.
How we help
How our firm can help
We send preservation letters the same day to keep dash-cam, 911 audio, and any nearby business surveillance from being overwritten on the standard 30-day cycle. We pull the full TX Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3), match it against your medical records, and value the case on real damages: past and future medical, lost wages and earning capacity, and pain and physical impairment.
When the at-fault carrier comes in low, we file in the appropriate venue and move the case through written discovery, depositions, and mediation. Most cases resolve before trial, but the ones that do not, we try. You get one point of contact who knows your file from the first call to the last check.
Evidence
What evidence we will need
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TX Peace Officer Crash Report (CR-3)
We pull this directly from TxDOT.
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Photos of every vehicle, the scene, and any visible injuries
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911 audio and dispatch logs
Preservation letter goes out same day - retention is short.
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Nearby business and traffic-camera surveillance
Typically overwritten on a 30-day cycle.
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Full medical records and bills from every provider
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Pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns
For lost wages and earning capacity.
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Your auto insurance declarations page
For UM / UIM and PIP analysis.
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Witness names and phone numbers
Cautions
What NOT to do
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Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance
You are not required to. Adjusters use these statements to pin you down on details you do not yet know (extent of injury, future treatment, prior conditions).
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Do not sign any release or medical authorization until your attorney reviews it
A broad authorization gives the carrier your entire medical history - including unrelated treatment they will use to argue your injuries are pre-existing.
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Do not post about the crash on social media
Anything you post becomes discoverable. A photo of you smiling at a family gathering will be used to argue you are not really hurt.
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Do not skip medical appointments
Gaps in treatment are the single fastest way to lower the value of an injury case. If you cannot make an appointment, reschedule it.
Critical windows
Deadlines you should know
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Texas personal injury statute of limitations
2 yearsTwo years from the crash date to file suit (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003). Limited tolling for minors.
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Evidence preservation window
30 daysMost surveillance video and 911 audio is on a 30-day retention cycle. Preservation letters need to go out fast.
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UM / UIM consent requirement
Before any settlementSettling with the at-fault carrier without written consent from your own UM / UIM carrier can extinguish that coverage.
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1 in 8
Texas drivers is uninsured
Insurance Research Council, 2023
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15,299
serious injury crashes in Texas in 2023
Texas DPS Crash Records
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2 years
Texas statute of limitations for most auto injury claims
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003
Common questions
Questions about Auto Collisions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, counted from the date of the crash. Claims against governmental entities can have notice deadlines as short as six months. Call as soon as you can.
The other driver had no insurance. Can I still recover?
Yes, if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy. Texas insurers must offer it; many drivers do not realize they have it. We routinely make UM/UIM claims against the injured client's own carrier.
The insurance company offered me money already. Should I take it?
Almost never. The first offer is designed to close the file before you know the full extent of your injuries or future medical costs. Once you sign the release, the case is over - even if a surgery becomes necessary six months later.
What if I was partially at fault?
Texas uses modified comparative fault. As long as you are 50 percent or less responsible, you can still recover, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Partial fault is rarely a reason not to call.
Related topics
More under Personal Injury
Direct consultation
Ready to talk about your case?
Call the firm or schedule a consultation. We speak Spanish and English. Initial consultations are confidential.