Highway Car Accident Attorney in Dallas

Get a Free Case Review

SERIOUS ATTORNEYS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES

Practice Areas

FREE CONSULTATION
five-stars-BBGgold

Chandler Ross is the best hands down! You can not go wrong with these attorneys!

— Tracy P.

Dallas highways carry millions of vehicles every year, and that volume comes with real danger. Whether you travel I-35E past the University of North Texas campus in Denton, merge onto I-635 near the LBJ Freeway interchange, or push through rush-hour traffic on US-75, the risk of a serious highway crash is never far away. If you or someone you love was hurt in a highway accident in or around Dallas, the personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

Why Dallas Highways Are So Dangerous

Dallas sits at the center of one of the busiest highway networks in the United States. Millions of commuters, commercial trucks, and out-of-state drivers converge on corridors like I-30, I-635, and the Dallas North Tollway every single day. The sheer volume of traffic creates conditions where one distracted or reckless driver can trigger a crash that injures dozens of people.

According to TxDOT crash data, Dallas County reported approximately 46,257 crashes in 2024. That is a staggering number, and it does not capture every incident on surrounding county roads and feeder streets. I-635 alone recorded around 4,200 crashes due to high traffic volumes and complex interchanges. The TX-12 Loop has been identified as one of Dallas’s deadliest roadways, with nearly 500 severe accidents over a recent five-year period, largely because of outdated road design and high speeds.

Speeding is the leading cause of crashes in Texas. TxDOT data shows that speeding contributed to 131,978 crashes statewide in 2024, with more than 22,000 resulting in possible injury. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.351, every driver must operate at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” given the conditions at the time. When a driver ignores that duty, especially on a high-speed highway, the results can be catastrophic. Distracted driving is the second leading cause, with over 80,000 crashes in Texas in 2024 tied to driver inattention. On a highway where vehicles travel at 70 mph or more, even a two-second lapse in attention can end a life.

For people who live near the Denton Square, commute through Lewisville, or travel the stretch of I-35E between Denton and Dallas daily, these are not just statistics. They are real risks on roads you use every week. Understanding why these crashes happen is the first step toward protecting your legal rights after one does.

Common Causes of Highway Accidents in the Dallas Area

Highway accidents rarely happen for just one reason. Most involve a combination of driver behavior, road conditions, and vehicle factors. Knowing what caused your crash matters because it directly shapes who is legally responsible, and how much compensation you can recover.

Speeding is the most common culprit. Texas Transportation Code Section 545.352 establishes that any speed in excess of a posted limit is prima facie evidence that the speed was unreasonable and unlawful. When a driver exceeds the limit on a stretch of I-35E near the Denton County line or on I-30 heading into downtown Dallas, that violation becomes powerful evidence in your injury claim.

Distracted driving, including texting and phone use, is another top cause. Texas banned texting while driving statewide, and a driver who violates that law and causes a crash can face a negligence per se claim, meaning the violation itself establishes fault without requiring additional proof of carelessness.

Drunk and drug-impaired driving remains a serious problem on Dallas highways, especially late at night and on weekends. Alcohol-related collisions accounted for 16 percent of Dallas’s 207 traffic fatalities in 2024, with impaired driving most common between 6 p.m. and midnight on the TX-12 Loop and I-30.

Fatigued driving by commercial truck drivers is another frequent cause, particularly on freight corridors near the Alliance area north of Fort Worth and along I-35E heading south toward Dallas. Aggressive lane changes, failure to yield during merges, and road rage incidents also contribute to multi-vehicle pileups and chain reaction crashes on these high-speed corridors. Each of these causes creates its own set of legal considerations, and a thorough investigation is essential to building a strong claim.

Texas Law and Your Rights After a Highway Crash

Texas is an at-fault state. That means the driver who caused your crash, and their insurance company, is responsible for your damages. You do not collect from your own policy first and then seek reimbursement. You pursue the at-fault party directly. This system gives you the right to seek full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage, but it also means you have to prove the other driver was at fault.

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. This is often called the “51% Bar Rule.” If you are found to be 50% or less responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurance companies know this rule well, and their adjusters often try to push more fault onto injured victims to reduce or eliminate the payout. Having a car accident lawyer in your corner from the start makes it much harder for insurers to shift blame unfairly.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your highway accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to recover. Two years can feel like a long time, but evidence disappears quickly. Skid marks fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witness memories grow unreliable. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

TxDOT crash reports, formally known as CR-3 forms, are a critical piece of evidence in highway accident cases. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to obtain a copy of the crash report as a person directly involved in the accident. This report documents the officer’s findings, contributing factors, and witness information. It is often the foundation of a successful claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dallas Highway Accident?

The financial toll of a serious highway crash adds up fast. Emergency room bills, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription costs, and follow-up specialist visits can reach tens of thousands of dollars within weeks. On top of that, many injury victims cannot return to work for months, or ever. Texas law allows you to pursue compensation for all of these losses.

Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and other out-of-pocket costs tied to the accident. Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a receipt, including physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the mental impact of trauma. In cases involving especially reckless or intentional conduct, Texas courts may also award exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41.

Injuries in highway crashes tend to be severe because of the speeds involved. Whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, herniated discs, broken bones, and internal injuries are all common outcomes of high-speed collisions. These injuries often require long-term care, and your compensation should reflect the full scope of your future needs, not just what you have already spent.

The value of any case depends entirely on the specific facts, the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and many other factors. No two cases are alike, and past results in other matters do not guarantee the same outcome in yours. What we can tell you is that working with an experienced car accident attorney gives you the best chance of recovering everything you are legally entitled to under Texas law.

How Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Handles Highway Accident Cases

At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we handle highway accident cases from our office in Denton, Texas. We serve clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including communities along I-35E, US-380, and the surrounding Denton County corridors. We know these roads, the local courts, and how insurance companies operate in this region.

When you hire us, we get to work right away. We gather the TxDOT crash report, preserve available surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and consult with accident reconstruction professionals when the facts call for it. We communicate with insurance adjusters so you do not have to, protecting you from statements that could be used to reduce your claim. We handle the legal process while you focus on healing.

We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. This arrangement lets any injury victim, regardless of their financial situation, access quality legal representation. If you were hurt on a Dallas-area highway and you are not sure whether you have a case, call us. We will give you an honest assessment of your situation.

If you are dealing with a denied insurance claim, an uninsured driver, or questions about how fault is being assigned in your case, the car accident lawyer team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can help you sort through the details. Reach out to us at (940) 800-2500 to schedule a free consultation. Our office is in Denton, near the Denton County Courthouse, and we are ready to talk about your case today.

Steps to Take After a Highway Accident Near Dallas

What you do in the hours and days after a highway crash can have a direct impact on your injury claim. The steps below are not just good safety advice. They are actions that protect your legal rights.

First, call 911 immediately. A police officer will respond and prepare a CR-3 crash report, which documents the scene, identifies contributing factors, and records witness information. This report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case. Do not leave the scene without getting the report number so you can request a copy later through TxDOT under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065.

Second, seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and herniated discs often have delayed symptoms. A same-day medical evaluation creates a documented link between the crash and your injuries. Insurance companies frequently use gaps in medical treatment to argue that your injuries were not serious or were not caused by the accident.

Third, document everything you can at the scene. Take photos of all vehicles, the road conditions, any skid marks, traffic signs, and your visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information. Note the weather conditions, the time of day, and any construction or road hazards that may have contributed to the crash.

Fourth, be careful with what you say to insurance adjusters. Do not give a recorded statement without first speaking to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim. Anything you say can be used against you later. The car accident lawyer team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf. Call us at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after your crash.

FAQs About Highway Car Accidents in Dallas

How long do I have to file a claim after a highway accident in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the crash caused a death, the two-year clock starts on the date of death. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the highway crash?

Yes, in most cases. Texas follows the modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. As long as you are found to be 50% or less responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages. Your total award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything, which is why insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured victims.

What if the driver who hit me on the highway did not have insurance?

Texas law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many do not. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you carry it. If the at-fault driver had insurance but not enough to cover your losses, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may fill the gap. An attorney can review your policy and help you understand all available sources of compensation.

How does a TxDOT crash report help my highway accident case?

The CR-3 crash report prepared by the responding officer is one of the most important documents in a highway accident claim. It records the officer’s assessment of contributing factors, the positions of the vehicles, any traffic violations cited, and witness contact information. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to request a copy of this report as a person directly involved in the crash. Your attorney can use this report to establish fault and support your claim for compensation.

What does it cost to hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys for a highway accident case?

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles highway accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and no hourly fees. Our firm only collects a fee if we recover compensation for you. This means you can pursue your claim without worrying about legal bills while you are already dealing with medical expenses and lost income. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to schedule your free consultation. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your matter, as every case depends on its own facts and circumstances.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. Attorneys licensed in the State of Texas.

More Resources About Types of Car Accidents in Dallas, TX