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Losing someone you love in a car accident is devastating. The grief is immediate, the questions are overwhelming, and the financial pressure can start within days. If your family lost someone in a fatal crash in or near Dallas, you need to understand your legal rights under Texas law, and you need to act before time runs out. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, based in Denton, Texas, represents families throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area who are dealing with the aftermath of fatal car accidents. Our firm handles wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
Índice
- How Deadly Are Dallas Roads?
- Texas Wrongful Death Law: What Your Family Needs to Know
- El plazo de dos años que no puede permitirse dejar pasar
- What Compensation Can Your Family Recover?
- How Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Handles Fatal Crash Cases in Dallas
- FAQs About Fatal Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas
How Deadly Are Dallas Roads?
Dallas roads are among the most dangerous in the country. Federal crash data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that Dallas continues to have one of the highest fatal crash rates among large American cities. That is not a statistic to take lightly. Behind every number is a family that lost someone they loved.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 4,150 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes across Texas in 2024, a 3.29% decrease from the 4,291 deaths recorded in 2023. While that slight decline is welcome, it does not change the reality for families who lost a loved one. Based on reported Texas motor vehicle crashes in 2024, one person was killed every 2 hours and 7 minutes, one person was injured every 2 minutes and 5 seconds, and a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds.
In 2024, Dallas recorded 210 fatal crashes, underscoring its place as one of the most dangerous driving environments in Texas. Corridors like I-35E, I-635 (LBJ Freeway), I-30, and US-75 (Central Expressway) see heavy traffic every day, and deadly crashes happen on all of them. Even roads closer to Denton, like US-380 and I-35, have seen serious and fatal wrecks. Drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, and reckless behavior are the most common causes. In 2024, there were 380 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving in Texas alone.
If your family member was killed on any of these roads, the cause of the crash matters enormously to your case. Whether it was a drunk driver on the Dallas North Tollway, a speeding driver near Klyde Warren Park, or a fatigued commercial truck driver on I-35E, the facts determine who is liable. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigates each case thoroughly to identify every responsible party. Call (940) 800-2500 to talk about what happened.
Texas Wrongful Death Law: What Your Family Needs to Know
Texas law gives surviving family members the right to sue when a loved one is killed due to someone else’s negligence. That right comes from Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Wrongful death claims under Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code can be filed by certain parties if the death is caused by the wrongful act, carelessness, unskillfulness, neglect, or default of another person or corporation. In plain terms, if a reckless or careless driver killed your family member, you have the right to pursue compensation.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002, a person is liable for damages from a fatal injury caused by their own wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default, or by that of their agent or servant. This means liability can extend beyond just the driver. Employers whose employees caused fatal crashes while on the clock, companies whose defective vehicles contributed to a death, and even road authorities in some cases can all be held responsible.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.004, an action to recover damages is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. Family members who may file a wrongful death claim include the surviving spouse, the children, and the parents of the decedent. In some cases, an adopted child may file a wrongful death claim if the adoption was legally and fully completed. Brothers, sisters, and other relatives do not have standing to file under the Texas statute.
Texas law also allows a separate survival action under CPRC Section 71.021. Survival claims allow the deceased person’s estate to seek compensation for the deceased person’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property losses, allowing the estate to file the personal injury claim or lawsuit the injured person might have brought had they survived. Both a wrongful death claim and a survival action can be pursued at the same time. The abogados de daños personales at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can evaluate which claims apply to your family’s situation.
El plazo de dos años que no puede permitirse dejar pasar
Texas law sets a strict time limit for wrongful death claims. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death, not the date of the incident that caused the death. That distinction matters. Sometimes there can be a gap between when an accident occurs and when death results from those injuries. For example, if your loved one was injured in a car accident on January 1st but passed away from those injuries on March 15th, the two-year statute of limitations would begin on March 15th.
Two years sounds like a long time when you are grieving. It is not. Investigations take time. Crash reconstruction reports, TxDOT crash records (CR-3 forms), toxicology results, witness statements, and vehicle data all need to be gathered and preserved. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, family members who may sue because of a death resulting from an accident have the right to request the official crash report from TxDOT. That report is a critical piece of evidence, and getting it early makes a real difference in building a strong case.
Delays make cases harder, since evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and financial documentation becomes more complex. If you miss the two-year deadline, Texas courts will almost certainly dismiss your case entirely, no matter how strong it is. One exception applies if you are a minor child: the statute of limitations does not begin until you turn 18, though a guardian or surviving parent can still pursue the claim on your behalf. Do not wait to find out whether an exception applies to your situation. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 right away.
What Compensation Can Your Family Recover?
A wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident can cover a wide range of losses. Texas law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages for surviving family members. Economic damages include the income your loved one would have earned over their lifetime, the value of services they provided to the household, medical bills incurred before death, and funeral and burial costs. These losses are real, measurable, and often significant, especially if the person killed was a primary income earner for a family near Denton or the Dallas area.
Non-economic damages cover losses that are harder to put a dollar amount on but are just as real. Loss of companionship, loss of love and support, mental anguish, and grief are all compensable under Texas law. A parent who loses a child, a spouse who loses their partner, or children who lose a parent all suffer deeply, and Texas courts recognize that suffering as a recoverable loss. In cases involving egregious conduct, such as a drunk driver or a driver who was street racing near downtown Dallas, a judge may order the defendant to pay punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, which are reserved for cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The value of a wrongful death case varies based on the specific facts. The age and income of the person killed, the number of surviving family members, the degree of fault, and the available insurance coverage all affect the outcome. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your case, as every situation involves different facts and law. What we can tell you is that Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will work to identify every source of compensation available to your family, including the at-fault driver’s liability policy, any underinsured motorist coverage, and employer liability if a commercial driver was involved. An experienced abogado de accidentes de coche can help you understand what your specific case may be worth after reviewing all the details.
How Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Handles Fatal Crash Cases in Dallas
When a family contacts us after a fatal crash, the first thing we do is listen. We know you are not ready to think about legal strategy while you are still processing what happened. Our job is to handle the legal work so you can focus on your family. We serve clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area from our office in Denton, which sits right along I-35E between Dallas and the northern suburbs. Whether the crash happened near the Denton County Courthouse, on the Dallas North Tollway, near Fair Park, or anywhere in between, we are ready to help.
Our team gathers the CR-3 crash report filed with TxDOT, preserves surveillance footage and physical evidence, works with accident reconstruction professionals, and reviews all available insurance policies. In cases involving commercial trucks or company vehicles, we also look at driver logs, maintenance records, and employer policies. Fatal crashes involving drunk drivers, distracted drivers, or speeding drivers require a different approach than multi-vehicle pileups or highway accidents, and we treat each case individually.
We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for your family. That means there is no financial risk in calling us. Families in Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, and across the Dallas metro area have trusted our firm during some of the hardest moments of their lives. If you need a abogado de accidentes de coche who will treat your family with respect and fight hard for the compensation you deserve, call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 today. You can also reach us online to schedule your free consultation.
We also handle related claims that often arise alongside wrongful death cases. If your loved one survived for a period after the crash before passing, a survival action may allow the estate to recover for their pain, suffering, and medical expenses during that time. Families dealing with property damage, lost wages, and insurance disputes after a fatal crash can find guidance through our firm as well. Whether you need a abogado de accidentes de coche for a claim in Dallas County or a wrongful death lawyer for a crash that happened on a North Texas highway, Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is here. If you are located in the Fort Worth area, our abogado de accidentes de coche team can assist you as well. Families in Irving and surrounding communities can also contact our abogado de accidentes de coche team for help with fatal crash claims.
FAQs About Fatal Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas after a fatal car accident?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.004, only the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the person who died have the right to file a wrongful death claim. Brothers, sisters, and other relatives do not have standing under the Texas statute. If none of those eligible family members file a claim within three months of the death, the personal representative or executor of the deceased’s estate may file on behalf of the family. If you are not sure whether you qualify to file, call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash in Texas?
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 gives surviving family members two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The clock starts on the date your loved one died, not the date of the crash. If your loved one survived the accident for several days or weeks before passing, the two-year period begins on the date of death. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to compensation entirely, so contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
What damages can my family recover in a fatal car accident case in Dallas?
Texas law allows surviving family members to recover economic damages such as lost income, lost household services, medical bills incurred before death, and funeral expenses. Non-economic damages include loss of companionship, mental anguish, and grief. In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, such as a drunk or reckless driver, exemplary (punitive) damages may also be available. The specific value of your case depends on the facts, the available insurance, and the extent of your family’s losses. Every case is different, and past results in other cases do not guarantee any particular outcome in yours.
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una demanda por homicidio culposo y una acción de supervivencia en el caso Texas?
A wrongful death claim is filed by the surviving family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents, to compensate them for their own losses, including grief, lost support, and loss of companionship. A survival action is filed by the deceased person’s estate to recover what the person who died could have claimed had they survived, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages from the time of the crash to the time of death. Both claims can be filed at the same time and often arise together in fatal car accident cases in Texas.
Do I need a lawyer for a fatal car accident claim in Dallas?
Yes. Fatal car accident cases involve Texas wrongful death statutes, insurance policy analysis, fault determination, and often multiple liable parties. Insurance companies assign adjusters whose job is to minimize payouts, and they will begin that process quickly. A lawyer gathers the CR-3 crash report, preserves evidence, identifies all liable parties, and handles negotiations so your family does not have to. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost to your family unless we recover compensation. Call (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team today.
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for this content. Principal office located in Denton, Texas. This page is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.