1. Ryan L. Thompson – Thompson Law Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, product liability, pharmaceutical injuries, defective medical devices
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, construction zone accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, bad faith insurance claims
Background: Licensed in Texas since 2004. Also licensed in Oklahoma (2010), Arizona (2011), Illinois (2012), Kentucky (2013), California (2014), and Pennsylvania (2018). J.D. from Baylor University School of Law (2004), Order of Barristers. B.A. in English from University of Texas at Austin (2000). Former associate at Hunton & Williams and Fulbright & Jaworski defending Fortune 500 companies. Founded Thompson Law. Over $1.9 billion recovered for clients. 59 of Texas’s top 100 motor vehicle accident settlements in 2022 (Top Verdict). Super Lawyers selection. Top 100 Trial Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers. Lifetime member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyer by Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating.
Location: 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75219
Contact: (214) 919-5860 | https://www.1800lionlaw.com
Bar Number: 24046969 (Active, State Bar of Texas)
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery)
2. Mark Allan Anderson – Anderson Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, dog bites, daycare injuries, workplace accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, fatigued driving accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, discovery, depositions, interrogatories, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Licensed in Texas since 1991. Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (distinction held by only 2% of Texas attorneys). J.D. from Baylor University School of Law (1991). B.B.A. in Finance from Texas Tech University (1988). Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court. Over 25 years of experience. Fort Worth native. Past President of Tarrant County Trial Lawyers. Member of Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, and Tarrant County Bar Association. Repeatedly named Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine. Super Lawyers selection by Thomson Reuters (annual). A+ Better Business Bureau rating. National Association of Distinguished Counsel (top 1% of attorneys). AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating. Hundreds of millions recovered for clients.
Location: 3710 Rawlins Street, Suite 1420, Dallas, TX 75219 (Dallas office) and 1310 West El Paso Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102 (Fort Worth office)
Contact: (214) 327-8000 | https://www.maafirm.com
Bar Number: Active (State Bar of Texas – Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law)
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery)
3. Angel L. Reyes III – Angel Reyes & Associates
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, product liability, pharmaceutical injuries, aviation accidents, mass torts
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, construction site accidents, oil field accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, discovery, depositions, interrogatories, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, mass tort litigation
Background: Licensed in Texas, New York, and Arkansas. J.D. from University of Michigan Law School (1991). M.B.A. from Texas Tech University, Rawls School of Business. B.A. from University of Kansas. Began legal career on Wall Street at Carter, Ledyard & Milburn before relocating to Dallas. Founded Angel Reyes & Associates in 1993. Over 55,000 injury victims represented. Over $1 billion recovered for clients. 99% success rate. Super Lawyers selection 2008-2024 (Texas Monthly). National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Martindale-Hubbell AV-Rated. President of National Latino Trial Lawyers Association. Former Chairman of Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Former Board Member of Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority (DART). Latino Leaders Magazine Top Latino Lawyers in America (2016-2022). Over 350 cases tried to jury verdict. Bilingual (English and Spanish).
Location: 8222 Douglas Avenue, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75225
Contact: (469) 962-2273 | https://www.reyeslaw.com
Bar Number: Active (State Bar of Texas, State Bar of New York, State Bar of Arkansas)
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery)
4. Kristina N. Kastl – Kastl Law, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial truck accidents, construction accidents, industrial accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Licensed in Texas. Over 20 years helping thousands of clients. Founder and lead attorney at Kastl Law, P.C. Practice focuses on personal injury with emphasis on commercial vehicle and catastrophic injury cases. Known for personalized attention and custom-tailored legal strategies. Bilingual services available (Spanish). Offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso areas.
Location: 14951 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75254
Contact: (214) 427-6043 | https://www.kastllaw.com
Bar Number: Active (State Bar of Texas)
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery)
5. Michael Francis – Francis Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, delivery vehicle accidents, oilfield accidents, construction accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Licensed in Texas. Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (distinction held by fewer than 2% of Texas personal injury lawyers). Over 30 years of experience. Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers. Lawyers of Distinction (2024). Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine (2025, 2026). Direct attorney access for clients. Serves Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Plano, Denton, and surrounding communities throughout Texas.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas (serves Dallas metropolitan area)
Contact: (817) 435-4355 | https://www.francisinjury.com
Bar Number: Active (State Bar of Texas – Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law)
Consultation: Free consultation with direct attorney access, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery)
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing this deadline generally bars recovery of compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Claims Against Government Entities: Significantly shorter deadlines apply. Claims against state or municipal vehicles may require filing a notice of claim within six months or less.
Fault System: Texas is an at-fault state. The driver responsible for causing the accident is financially liable for resulting damages. Injured parties can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar (also called proportionate responsibility). An injured person can recover damages only if they are less than 51% responsible for the accident. If found 51% or more at fault, the injured party is barred from any recovery. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party. For example, if found 20% at fault with $100,000 in damages, recovery is limited to $80,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (30/60/25 Coverage):
- Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Not mandatory in Texas, but strongly recommended. Insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage, and drivers must reject it in writing if they do not want it.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Optional in Texas. PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Insurance companies must offer PIP, but drivers can reject it in writing.
Damage Caps: Texas does not impose caps on compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in most car accident cases. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of (1) $200,000, or (2) two times economic damages plus an equal amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Drivers must immediately report accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to local law enforcement. A crash report must be filed with the Texas Department of Transportation through the Crash Records Information System (C.R.I.S.) within 10 days for accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage.
Insurance Claim Processing Deadlines: Texas insurers must acknowledge claims within 15 days and typically decide on claims within 15 business days of receiving all necessary documentation. Insurers may request a 45-day extension for investigation. After approving a claim, payment must be issued within 5 business days.
Dram Shop Liability: Texas has dram shop laws that allow victims to sue establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause accidents.
Vicarious Liability: Texas follows owner liability rules. Vehicle owners can be held liable for accidents caused by family members or others who drive with the owner’s permission under certain circumstances.
Texting While Driving: Texas law prohibits texting while driving statewide. Violations can be used as evidence of negligence in accident cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my Dallas car accident claim?
A: Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar, meaning you can recover compensation only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. When you are partially at fault but under 51%, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if a jury awards $200,000 but determines you were 25% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $150,000. Insurance companies actively try to shift blame to reduce their payout, making strong evidence and experienced legal representation crucial. This rule applies in both court proceedings and insurance claim negotiations.
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in Dallas?
A: Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. This deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death, which may differ from the accident date. Certain exceptions exist: for minors, the clock starts when they turn 18; for those who were mentally incapacitated, the deadline may be tolled until capacity is regained. However, claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines, sometimes requiring notice within six months. Missing the statute of limitations permanently bars your right to file a lawsuit, regardless of how strong your case may be. It is advisable to consult with an attorney promptly after any accident.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Dallas?
A: First, ensure safety and call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is significant damage. Texas law requires drivers to stop and render aid. Exchange information with other drivers including names, contact information, insurance details, and license plate numbers. Document the scene with photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Obtain contact information from witnesses. Do not admit fault at the scene. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor, as some conditions manifest later. Report the accident to your insurance company as required by your policy. Obtain a copy of the police crash report through the Texas Department of Transportation’s C.R.I.S. system. Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney before providing recorded statements to insurance companies.
Q: What compensation can I recover in a Dallas car accident case?
A: Texas law allows accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include quantifiable losses such as medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical needs), lost wages and loss of earning capacity, property damage and vehicle repair or replacement costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and costs of necessary accommodations. Non-economic damages compensate for subjective losses including physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving egregious conduct such as drunk driving, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendant, though Texas caps punitive damages at the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus up to $750,000 in non-economic damages. Texas does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases.
Q: How long does a car accident claim typically take to resolve in Dallas?
A: Most Dallas car accident cases resolve within 3 to 18 months, though complex cases may take longer. Simple cases with clear liability and documented injuries often settle within a few months after maximum medical improvement is reached. Factors affecting timeline include severity of injuries and length of medical treatment, disputes over liability or fault percentages, amount of insurance coverage available, whether litigation becomes necessary, court schedules if a lawsuit is filed, and whether multiple parties are involved. Insurance companies in Texas must acknowledge claims within 15 days and typically must decide on claims within 15-45 days of receiving complete documentation. However, fair settlements often require negotiation. Cases that proceed to trial can take one to three years or longer. An experienced attorney can help expedite the process while ensuring fair compensation.