Dallas Car Accident Attorneys Fighting for Justice After Serious Crashes

Injured in a Dallas Car Accident? Our Auto Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Help

For many Dallas residents, vehicle travel is a necessity. Every day, residents and visitors travel through the Dallas area by car, heading to work, school, fun events, and other activities. 

While vehicle travel is essential, it can also be dangerous. Car accidents are a leading cause of death and serious injury in many major US cities, including Dallas. If you’ve been injured in a crash, speak to an experienced Dallas car accident lawyer today. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC can help. 

2024 Dallas Car Accident Statistics: What the Numbers Reveal

In 2024, 26,109 separate car accidents occurred within the Dallas city limits. Dallas recorded 227 deaths in 207 separate car accidents, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Another 1,081 people suffered “suspected serious injuries.” Over 13,000 people experienced mild or moderate injuries in Dallas car wrecks. 

Dallas County was the site of over 46,257 car crashes in 2024. In these accidents, 331 people died, 1,648 were seriously injured, and over 17,000 experienced other types of injuries.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas, TX

Dallas is a busy city. Its streets are full of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, as well as bicyclists and pedestrians. Common car accidents include intersection collisions, crashes caused by drunk or distracted driving, and collisions with motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. 

Intersection Crashes in Dallas

In 2024, 1,050 people died in an intersection collision in Texas, according to TxDOT. Several factors can make an intersection collision more likely. Drivers who fail to pay attention and follow road rules at intersections are more likely to cause a crash. Failing to spot a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist can increase the risk of a crash, especially at an intersection. Speeding can also cause or contribute to a crash at an intersection.

Drunk and Distracted Driving

TxDOT recorded 1,053 traffic deaths in 2024 caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol. The department estimates that just over one-quarter of all Texans killed in car crashes in 2024 were involved in a drunk driving crash. 

Another 380 people died in distracted driving accidents in Texas in 2024. These crashes included eight distracted driving deaths in Dallas County. Distracted driving caused approximately 3,000 injuries in Dallas County in 2024.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Dallas

Texas gives pedestrians and bicyclists the right to use public roads as long as they follow traffic laws. Yet Dallas streets can be dangerous places for bicyclists and pedestrians. A legal right to use the road does not guarantee that other drivers will use the reasonable care required to avoid injuring a pedestrian or bicyclist. 

In 2024, Texas recorded 78 bicyclist deaths, 428 serious bicyclist injuries, and over 2,000 other injuries in roadway collisions involving bicycles. Over 760 pedestrians also died on Texas roads in 2024; another 1,452 were seriously hurt. In 2024, 97 percent of all pedestrian and bicyclist collisions ended with a death or injury.

Motorcycle Accidents on Dallas Roadways

Motorcycles can be a fun and efficient way to travel in urban areas like Dallas and its surrounding communities. Yet motorcycle accident injuries can be severe, especially when other motorists fail to watch out for bikers.

In 2024, 585 motorcycle riders died in Texas roadway accidents. Another 2,532 motorcycle operators and passengers suffered serious injuries in motorcycle crashes.

Filing a Car Accident Claim in Dallas: What You Need to Know

Every car accident is unique, and so are the injuries and losses you suffered. Yet all car accident claims follow certain basic rules. Understanding these rules can help you communicate with your attorney and get the resolution you need.

Establishing Liability After a Crash

Most personal injury claims are based on negligence law. Negligence cases require an injured person to answer four questions: 

• Did the other party have a duty to prevent harm?
• Did they breach (fail to meet) that duty?
• Was their breach the actual and foreseeable cause of your injuries?
• Can your injuries be compensated with money damages (and if so, how much)?

The other party can raise several arguments in their defense. One common argument after a car crash is that you were partly or totally at fault for your own injuries. 

To make your case, work with an experienced attorney. Your lawyer can help you establish fault and recover damages. 

Time Limits for Filing  Your Claim

Personal injury claims in Texas must be filed within two years. A case filed after this two-year limit expires will be dismissed from court.

In most car crash claims, the two-year window begins on the date of the crash. Some exceptions apply to the two-year “statute of limitations,” but they are often narrow and difficult to apply. An attorney can help you calculate the time remaining and ensure your case is filed before the deadline.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Dallas Auto Accident Claim?

The purpose of a car crash claim is to seek compensation for injuries and other losses. These cases can seek both financial and non-financial losses.

Financial losses are also called “economic damages.” They include past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, the costs to repair or replace a damaged vehicle, and similar expenses you’ve had to pay due to the crash and your injuries.

Non-financial losses are also known as “non-economic damages.” They include real losses, but not losses that come with an invoice or receipt. Your conscious pain and suffering, the anguish caused by scarring or disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of hobbies and life activities you once did all fall into this category.

Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Crash in Dallas

Navigating insurance policies after a crash can be tough. You may have little experience with insurance. Even if you’ve dealt with your insurer before, doing so while facing serious injuries or the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. 

It’s important to contact your auto insurer as soon as possible after a crash. Insurance deadlines are often shorter than the deadline to file a lawsuit. If you don’t notify your insurer in time, you may lose your chance to access the insurance benefits you pay for. 

When you talk to your insurance company, focus on the facts. State the date, time, and place of the collision. Don’t comment on whose fault you think the accident is – wait for all the facts to become clear first. 

Insurance companies often work to protect their bottom line, even at the expense of their customers. If your insurance company delays, denies, or downgrades your claim, talk to an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can negotiate for the benefits you need and deserve. 

Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Car Accidents in Dallas

Car accidents are among the top three most common causes of death from unintentional injuries in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When a car accident claims a life, the deceased person cannot file their own personal injury claim.

After a fatal crash, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim seeks damages for the deceased person’s final expenses and losses. The claim also seeks compensation for the family members’ losses related to the unexpected death of their loved one.

Examples of compensation available in a car accident wrongful death claim include:

• Funeral and burial expenses,
• Final medical expenses for the deceased person,
• Lost wages,
• Property damage,
• Conscious pain and suffering the deceased person experienced before death,
• Loss of care, comfort, and companionship that surviving family members suffered due to the untimely death. 

Speak to an experienced Dallas car accident wrongful death attorney to learn more. 

Criminal vs. Civil Cases in Dallas Auto Accidents

Texas has many laws governing behavior on public roads. Some of these laws impose criminal penalties for certain acts. Laws prohibiting drunk driving and hit-and-run behavior are two examples. 

In some car accidents, a driver may face criminal charges. A drunk driver who causes a crash may face charges for violating Texas’s DUI laws, for example. An injured person may file a personal injury lawsuit even if a criminal case is proceeding. Each case has different goals and follows different rules. 

The outcome of a criminal case can affect the results of your car accident claim, however. Work with an experienced Dallas car accident lawyer to protect your legal rights throughout the process. 

Talk to a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Today

Life after a car accident can feel upside-down. You may struggle to recover from serious injuries. A fatal crash leaves you and your family grieving the sudden loss of a loved one. You may worry about how you’ll pay the bills, fear you’ll never get back on your feet, and wonder how you can hold a negligent party accountable for their actions.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone – and you deserve the serious representation that fits the serious harm you face. At Chandler Ross PLLC, our experienced Dallas car accident attorneys can help you seek the compensation you need. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.