1. Rocky Walton Injury Lawyers

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), drunk driving accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, uninsured motorist claims, commercial vehicle accidents, dram shop liability cases.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, catastrophic injury cases, rollover accidents, highway accidents, intersection collisions.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims, letters of protection for medical treatment, second opinion consultations for clients with existing attorneys.

Background: Roger “Rocky” Walton has practiced personal injury law exclusively since 1987 (over 35 years). He earned his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and an advanced law degree (LL.M.) from Southern Methodist University. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (since 1995), a distinction held by fewer than 2% of Texas attorneys. Texas Bar Number: Contact firm for verification. Rocky Walton is admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and U.S. Tax Court. He holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He has been selected to Super Lawyers from 2019 through 2025. He previously served as a member of the Arlington City Council and on the board of directors of the Arlington Bar Association. Approximately 80% of the firm’s lawsuits are referrals from other attorneys.

Location: 2310 W Interstate 20, Suite 200, Arlington, TX 76017

Contact: (817) 429-4299 | https://www.rockywaltoninjurylawyers.com

Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee arrangement: one-third (33.33%) attorney fee plus case expenses in pre-litigation; 40% if lawsuit is filed. No fee unless recovery is obtained.

2. The Eric Reyes Law Firm, P.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, on-the-job injuries, wrongful death, premises liability, nursing home negligence, bicycle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, intersection accidents, highway accidents, catastrophic injury cases, soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical provider coordination for uninsured clients, demand letter preparation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.

Background: Eric Rene Reyes has practiced personal injury law since 1988 (over 35 years). He is double Board Certified: Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Only 3% of Texas attorneys hold double board certification. Texas Bar Number: 16794350. Licensed November 10, 1988. He was inducted into the Texas Bar College on January 26, 2018, recognizing attorneys who complete at least double the required continuing legal education hours. The firm has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. He settles over 80% of cases without the need for litigation.

Location: 312 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021 (serves Arlington); 300 Centre Street, Dallas, TX 75208

Contact: (817) 332-1522 | (817) 494-3755 | https://www.ericreyeslaw.com

Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis: no fee unless recovery is obtained. Attorney will not settle any claim without client’s express permission.

3. Patterson Law Group

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, rideshare accidents.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, rollover accidents, highway accidents near I-20 and I-30, stadium area accidents.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation with reconstruction specialists, medical care coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, documentation of economic and non-economic damages.

Background: Patterson Law Group is a personal injury firm with offices in Fort Worth, Arlington, and San Antonio. The firm limits its caseload to provide individualized attention to each client. The attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists and expert witnesses to determine fault. The firm has recovered millions for Texas injury victims. Managing partner W. Travis Patterson has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star. The firm is affiliated with the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a designation for attorneys who have obtained verdicts or settlements exceeding one million dollars.

Location: 2310 West Interstate 20, Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76017

Contact: (817) 784-2000 | https://pattersonpersonalinjury.com

Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. Contingency fee basis: no fee unless case is won. Spanish language services available.

4. Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, catastrophic injuries, rideshare accidents, drunk driving accidents.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, intersection accidents, highway accidents, parking lot accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, in-house investigation services, in-house videography for case documentation, medical treatment coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, 3D imaging for injury demonstration.

Background: Mullen & Mullen Law Firm is a Dallas-based firm serving Arlington and the North Texas community. Managing Partner Shane V. Mullen has handled personal injury cases for over 21 years and has been named a Texas Super Lawyer for multiple consecutive years. The firm’s three attorneys have combined experience exceeding 95 years. According to TopVerdict.com, the firm has made the Texas “Top 50” Personal Injury Settlements list 44 times and the “Top 100” list 70 times over the past four years. The firm was named “Top Choice Injury Law Firm” by Top Choice Awards for six consecutive years (2019-2024).

Location: Serves Arlington from Dallas office; 5601 Democracy Drive, Suite 225, Plano, TX 75024

Contact: (214) 747-5240 | https://www.mullenandmullen.com

Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee of 29% (reduced from industry standard). No fee unless recovery is obtained. Home or hospital visits available. Phone and Zoom consultations offered.

5. Ted Machi & Associates, P.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, dog bite injuries, defective products, premises liability, bankruptcy.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, communication and negotiation with insurance companies.

Background: Ted Machi & Associates, P.C. has served residents of Arlington and surrounding cities for more than 35 years. The firm focuses on personal injury law and civil litigation. Lead attorney Ted Machi has been included in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and is a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America). He has over 25 years of experience practicing injury law. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, providing direct access to a skilled attorney.

Location: 401 W. Sanford Street, Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76011

Contact: (817) 275-2453 | https://machilaw.com

Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis: clients pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation on their behalf.

Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, injured parties have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failure to file within this period typically results in the case being dismissed and the loss of the right to pursue compensation. Exceptions may apply for minors (statute tolled until age 18), legally disabled individuals, and cases where injuries were not immediately discoverable (discovery rule).

Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims arising from car accidents in Texas are also subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003.

Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver determined to be responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. Injured parties may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, file a claim with their own insurance company (which may then seek subrogation), or file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver.

Comparative Negligence Rules: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule (also called proportionate responsibility) under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. An injured party can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If found 51% or more at fault, the claimant is barred from any recovery. Damages are reduced by the claimant’s percentage of fault. For example, if awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, recovery is reduced to $80,000.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, drivers must maintain minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident (when multiple persons are injured), and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Texas insurers are required to offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with a minimum of $2,500. PIP is automatically included in policies unless the policyholder declines in writing. PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and related costs regardless of fault.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: Texas insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage when issuing liability policies. This coverage is optional but can be rejected in writing. UM/UIM protects policyholders when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. It also applies in hit-and-run accidents.

Damage Caps: Texas does not cap economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most personal injury cases, including car accidents. Punitive damages are capped under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.008 at the greater of: (1) $200,000, or (2) two times the amount of economic damages plus an equal amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000. Medical malpractice cases have separate caps under Chapter 74.

Dram Shop Liability Laws: Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 2.02, establishments that serve alcohol (bars, restaurants) can be held liable if they serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person who subsequently causes a car accident resulting in injury or death. Third-party victims may pursue claims against the establishment. Social hosts may also face liability under certain circumstances for serving minors.

Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Texas generally follows the “owner consent” rule. Vehicle owners are not automatically liable for accidents caused by others driving their vehicle unless negligent entrustment is proven (lending vehicle to someone known to be incompetent, reckless, or unlicensed). Family purpose doctrine may apply in limited circumstances.

Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability Rules: Rental car companies in Texas are generally protected from vicarious liability under the Graves Amendment (49 U.S.C. Section 30106) unless they were independently negligent. Rideshare companies (Uber, Lyft) maintain commercial insurance policies that apply during different phases of a ride: limited coverage when the app is on but no ride is accepted; higher coverage once a ride is accepted and during the trip (typically $1 million in liability coverage).

Medical Payment Coverage Requirements: Medical payments coverage (MedPay) is optional in Texas. It covers medical expenses for the policyholder and passengers regardless of fault. There is no state-mandated minimum amount.

Property Damage Claim Procedures: After an accident, drivers should report the collision to their insurance company promptly. Texas law requires drivers to report accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the police. An officer will typically complete a CR-3 crash report. Claimants can file property damage claims with either their own insurance (collision coverage) or the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

Bad Faith Insurance Claim Laws: Under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 541, insurance companies must handle claims fairly and promptly. Insurers who engage in unfair settlement practices, fail to investigate claims properly, or unreasonably deny or delay claims may be liable for bad faith. Policyholders may recover actual damages, attorney’s fees, and in some cases, treble damages for knowing violations.

Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations and Eligible Claimants: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the decedent’s death under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Eligible claimants include the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. If no eligible claimant files within three months, the personal representative of the estate may file on behalf of the beneficiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for filing a car accident injury claim in Texas?

Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. This deadline begins on the date the accident occurred. If a lawsuit is not filed in district court within this two-year period, Texas courts will generally dismiss the case, and the injured party loses the right to seek compensation through the legal system. Certain exceptions exist for minors (the deadline may be tolled until they reach age 18), individuals who are legally incapacitated, and situations where injuries were not immediately discoverable. It is important to act promptly because insurance claims also have reporting deadlines, often requiring notification within days or weeks of the accident.

How does Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my compensation?

Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system under Section 33.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, provided your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover any damages. Your compensation is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found to be 25% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $75,000. Insurance adjusters and opposing counsel may attempt to increase your fault percentage to reduce or eliminate your recovery, making accurate documentation and legal representation important.

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Texas, and is that coverage sufficient?

Texas requires all drivers to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage of 30/60/25: $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for bodily injury to all persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. While these minimums satisfy legal requirements, they may be inadequate in serious accidents where medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost wages can quickly exceed these amounts. If the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient, injured parties may need to pursue underinsured motorist claims through their own policies or file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver’s personal assets. Many attorneys recommend carrying higher liability limits and adding UM/UIM coverage for additional protection.

Can I file a lawsuit against a drunk driver in Texas, and can I sue the bar that served them?

Yes, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a drunk driver who caused your injuries. Additionally, Texas has a dram shop law (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 2.02) that allows injured parties to pursue claims against bars, restaurants, or other establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident. To establish dram shop liability, you must prove that the establishment served alcohol to a patron who was obviously intoxicated to the extent that they presented a clear danger to themselves and others. These cases can provide an additional source of compensation, particularly when the drunk driver has limited insurance coverage.

How do I file a claim against a government vehicle or entity if I was hit by a city or state vehicle in Texas?

Claims against government entities in Texas are governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act (Chapter 101 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code). This law waives sovereign immunity in limited circumstances, including motor vehicle accidents caused by government employees acting within the scope of their employment. However, there are strict procedural requirements. You must typically file a formal notice of claim with the governmental unit within six months of the incident. Damage caps apply: $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, and $100,000 for property damage. Claims against municipalities may have additional notice requirements. Failing to comply with these procedures can result in losing the right to sue, so consulting an attorney promptly is essential.