Understanding the current landscape of Texas car accident claims is crucial if you’ve been injured in a crash. Below we outline the latest legal updates – from changes in Texas car accident laws and the statute of limitations to insurance requirements and case trends – backed by authoritative sources. We also highlight recent accident statistics (causes, injury trends, financial impacts) and identify the top five Texas car accident lawyer firms known for their expertise. Use this guide to stay informed and find the right personal injury attorney in Texas for your needs.

Latest Texas Car Accident Laws and Updates

Texas operates under specific laws that affect how car accident claims are handled. Recent years have seen some updates you should know about:

• Statute of Limitations: In Texas, the deadline to file a car accident injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the crash​.

This statute (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003) means you must initiate a personal injury claim within 2 years, or you lose the right to sue. (There are limited exceptions, such as claims against a government entity, which require notice within 6 months​.) Filing promptly is crucial to preserve evidence and comply with these legal deadlines.

• Fault and Negligence Rules: Texas is not a no-fault state – it follows a fault-based system. This means the driver who caused the accident is liable for damages. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule (the “51% bar rule”), which allows you to recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident​

  If you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover compensation. In practice, each party’s percentage of fault will reduce their recovery accordingly. This rule encourages careful driving and affects how insurance claims and lawsuits determine payouts.

• Insurance Requirements: Texas law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance to cover injuries or damages they might cause. The minimum liability coverage is 30/60/25 – that is, $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage​

  This is often written as 30/60/25 coverage. Optional coverages like Personal Injury Protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, and collision coverage are available and often recommended, but not mandatory​Since Texas is an “at-fault” state, having sufficient insurance is critical – if you cause a crash, your insurance pays the victims, and if another driver is at fault, you can pursue a claim against their insurance or file a lawsuit.

• Recent Legal Changes: One notable update in Texas law is House Bill 19 (2021), which impacts accidents involving commercial vehicles (like semi-trucks). HB 19, effective in 2022, changed liability rules for commercial vehicle crashes​

  Previously, a trucking or commercial company could be directly held liable for an employee’s negligence. Under the new law, the driver is initially liable, and accident victims cannot sue the company unless the driver is first found liable by a judge or jury. In short, it created a two-step process for lawsuits against trucking companies, aiming to protect companies from direct liability unless the employee is proven at fault. This change means if you’re hit by a commercial truck, your lawsuit strategy may differ – typically, you must establish the driver’s fault before pursuing the employer’s liability. It’s a significant shift in Texas personal injury law that accident lawyers are closely watching. Aside from HB 19, Texas continues to enforce bans on texting while driving and other safety laws, but no recent changes have altered the basic rules for ordinary car accident claims.

Recent Texas Car Accident Statistics & Trends

Car accidents remain a serious problem in Texas, with data showing the scope and causes of the issue. Here are some key statistics and trends from recent years:

• High Crash Frequency:  according to Roach Firm Traffic data shows that a reportable car crash happens roughly every minute in Texas. In 2023, on average one crash occurred every 56 seconds on Texas roads​

  There was no day in 2022 without a traffic death in Texas​ reported by the Texas Department of Transportation – meaning fatalities occurred every single day.

• Rising Injuries and Deaths: The state continues to see tens of thousands of injuries and thousands of fatalities each year. In 2022, Texas recorded a death toll of 4,407 people from motor vehicle crashes​. This was a slight decrease (about –1.1%) from 2021, but still tragically high. Preliminary 2023 data counted 4,283 deaths in crashes​ indicating the fatality rate remains severe.

Injuries are rampant as well – over 244,000 people were injured in Texas crashes in 2022, and more than 250,000 injuries were reported in 2023. This means on average one person is injured every 2 minutes in a Texas crash. These numbers underscore the continued need for road safety measures and effective claims for victims.

• Major Causes of Crashes: The leading causes of serious accidents in Texas include speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving. In 2022, speeding was a factor in over 136,000 crashes statewide, making it one of the top contributors to accidents. Impaired driving remains a deadly issue – 1,263 people were killed in 2022 crashes involving a driver under the influence of alcohol (about 28.7% of all Texas crash fatalities)​

  Similarly, distracted driving (such as texting or phone use) led to 487 deaths in 2022, a 12% increase from the prior year. Driver inattention contributed to tens of thousands of accidents (over 84,000 in 2022). Other common causes include unsafe lane changes and failure to stay in a lane. These trends show that human error – whether through excessive speed, impairment, or distraction – is behind most serious crashes. Efforts by law enforcement to curb DUI and texting while driving continue, but the numbers indicate more work is needed.

• Injury Severity Trends: A concerning trend in recent years was the rise in severe and fatal crashes, even as total traffic dipped during pandemic lockdowns. Texas saw a spike in fatality rate per miles driven in 2020–2021. The good news is that fatalities have slightly decreased since 2021.

2022 saw a modest 1% increase in deaths over 2021, but 2023 saw about a 2.8% decrease in fatal crashes. Serious injury crashes in 2022 numbered over 15,000, injuring more than 18,800 people. The data suggests Texas roads remain dangerous, but safety initiatives may be gradually yielding improvements in fatality rates. Motorcyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable: 562 motorcyclist deaths occurred in 2022 (38% of those were not wearing helmets)​, and 815 pedestrians were killed that year​. These figures highlight the importance of driver awareness and the need for robust injury claims to cover the life-altering harm from such crashes.

• Economic Impact: Car accidents carry not just human costs but huge financial costs. In 2022, the estimated economic loss due to motor vehicle crashes in Texas was $55.9 billion​. This figure includes medical expenses, lost work productivity, property damage, emergency services, and other costs associated with crashes. Just the fatal crashes in recent years have cost Texas tens of billions (TxDOT estimated about $26 billion economic loss from fatal accidents in one recent year)​.

The average financial toll per accident can be significant, especially for severe injury cases. These numbers underscore why insurance coverage and injury claims are so important – victims face steep medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost income. A successful personal injury claim or lawsuit can help offset these economic losses for individuals and families.

• Case and Claim Trends: Legally, we see Texas courts handling numerous car accident lawsuits, with some record-breaking verdicts in recent times. Juries in Texas have shown willingness to award substantial compensation in egregious cases. For example, in one 2023 case, a Texas jury awarded $262.5 million to a man paralyzed by a drunk driver.

That case involved a grossly negligent overserving of alcohol by a bar and resulted in one of the largest verdicts for an individual car crash victim on record. While not every case will be a nine-figure outcome, this reflects a trend of courts punishing severe wrongdoing and fully compensating victims for catastrophic injuries. Overall, the combination of high accident rates and complex new laws (like the trucking liability changes) has made the role of an attorney even more crucial – navigating claims is challenging, and experienced lawyers track these trends to better advocate for clients.

Top 5 Texas Law Firms Specializing in Car Accident Cases

• If you’ve been hurt in a collision, having the right lawyer can make all the difference in your claim. Texas has many personal injury firms, but a few stand out for their focus on car accident cases, success rates, and client satisfaction. Below are five of the top Texas car accident lawyer firms, with details on their expertise and track records:

1. THOMAS J HENRY INJURY ATTORNEYS

One of the largest personal injury firms in Texas, known for aggressive representation in car accident and injury cases. Thomas J. Henry Law has over 250+ injury attorneys across Texas, available 24/7 to assist clients​. The firm has the resources and “firepower” to take on big insurance companies – it boasts over $1 billion recovered for clients in the past four years alone​.

Thomas J. Henry is known for securing record-breaking verdicts and settlements (the firm highlights multi-million dollar results, including numerous $10M+ and even larger awards). With offices statewide and a “No Fee Unless You Win” promise, this firm’s expertise in car accidents has made it a go-to for Texans seeking maximum compensation.

2. Jim Adler & Associates

Jim Adler, famously branded as “The Texas Hammer”, Jim Adler & Associates has been a stalwart advocate for car accident victims in Texas for over 50 years. The firm has a substantial team (30+ attorneys and a large support staff) and operates from four offices (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Channelview) to serve clients across the state.

Jim Adler is known for his aggressive advertising and even more aggressive representation – fighting insurance companies hard on behalf of injured Texans. The firm prides itself on a strong track record of securing significant settlements for clients. Reviews often praise its assertive approach and commitment to clients’ cases, and the firm works on a contingency fee basis (no win, no fee), which makes its services accessible. For decades, Jim Adler & Associates has been one of the first names Texans think of for accident lawyers – a testament to its experience in personal injury law and countless cases handled.

3. Zehl & Associates

A top-tier Texas personal injury firm with a focus on serious car and truck accidents, Zehl & Associates is known for being “undefeated” at trial and achieving some of the largest verdicts in Texas history. The firm’s attorneys were inducted into the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame after recovering the #1 largest accident verdict in the state, along with several other record-setting settlements.

Zehl & Associates has won billions of dollars for crash victims and consistently secures multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients injured in car wrecks, 18-wheeler accidents, and other catastrophic incidents. Led by Ryan Zehl, the team’s trial prowess and willingness to take cases to verdict often lead to substantial settlement offers from insurers. This firm’s expertise and success in motor vehicle cases have earned it a powerhouse reputation – if you have a severe injury case, their undefeated car accident lawyers are among the best in Texas.

4. Arnold & Itkin LLP

Arnold & Itkin LLP  is a nationally recognized personal injury firm based in Texas, renowned for winning record-breaking results in all kinds of catastrophic injury cases, including car accidents. The firm has secured over $20 billion for clients through verdicts and settlements– an astonishing figure that includes some of the largest jury verdicts in U.S. history. In the motor vehicle arena, Arnold & Itkin’s lawyers have handled high-profile crash cases and won numerous seven, eight, and nine-figure awards. Notably, they secured a $125 million settlement for two brothers seriously injured in a car accident, demonstrating their ability to obtain life-changing compensation. In 2023, Arnold & Itkin attorneys achieved three of the ten largest verdicts in Texas (over $1.6 billion in awards across those cases). With a team of elite trial lawyers, this firm excels in complex, high-stakes cases – from car and truck accidents to plant explosions – and has a reputation for “No Matter What” dedication to clients. If you need a Texas car accident attorney for a very serious injury or wrongful death case, Arnold & Itkin’s track record speaks for itself.

5. Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

Mullen & Mullen Law Firm is based in Dallas (with offices in other North Texas cities) and specializes in car accidents and personal injury claims. In practice for 40+ years (family-owned since 1983), Mullen & Mullen has built a reputation for treating clients “like family” while delivering outstanding results. The firm is consistently recognized in the TopVerdict lists for Texas – over the last few years, they made the “Top 50 Settlements” list 44 times, and the “Top 100” list 70 times, which reflects their ability to secure some of the largest settlements in the state. Uniquely, Mullen & Mullen also offers a reduced 29% contingency fee on pre-suit settlements (lower than the standard 33-35%), meaning clients keep more of their money. Client reviews for Mullen & Mullen are overwhelmingly positive – the firm has hundreds of 5-star reviews and a perfect 5.0/5.0 rating on Google.

Reviews often praise their communication, compassion, and the excellent results achieved. For accident victims in Texas (especially in the Dallas/Fort Worth region) seeking personal attention and proven success, Mullen & Mullen is one of the top choices.

(Each of the above law firms has significant experience with Texas car accident claims and offers free consultations. It’s wise to contact a few and find the attorney or team you feel most comfortable with, as a strong attorney-client relationship can greatly help your case.)

Get Help: Speak with a Texas Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents in Texas can leave victims facing serious injuries, costly medical bills, and confusing legal battles. Navigating insurance claims and Texas’s legal deadlines on your own can be overwhelming – and any mistakes could undermine your chance at fair compensation. Instead of going it alone, consider consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney in Texas who specializes in car accident cases.

All of the top law firms listed above offer free case evaluations, so you can discuss your situation and learn your options at no cost. A skilled lawyer will help you understand how Texas law (like the 2-year statute of limitations and comparative negligence rules) applies to your case, handle all communication with insurance companies, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve – whether through a negotiated settlement or a jury trial.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Texas car accident, don’t wait. Reach out to one of the top Texas car accident law firms today to protect your rights and start your road to recovery. Contact an accident lawyer who has the expertise and track record of success in Texas – getting the right legal team on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim.