Car Accident Attorneys in Plano, Texas

1. Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, dog bites, premises liability

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, whiplash injuries

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, diminished value claims

Background: Established in 1983, the firm has over 95 years of combined legal experience. Managing Partner Shane V. Mullen (Bar Card No. 24037152) received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2001. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of Texas, State Bar of Texas, U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, and the State Bar of Missouri. Mr. Mullen is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. The firm has made TopVerdict.com’s Texas “Top 50” Personal Injury Settlements list 44 times and the “Top 100” list 70 times in four years. Founder Regis L. Mullen is a former insurance claims manager. The firm secured the 4th largest car accident injury settlement in Texas in 2019 at $2,050,000.

Location: 8105 Rasor Boulevard, Suite 237, Plano, TX 75024

Contact: (972) 947-3370 | https://www.mullenandmullen.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement with a discounted rate of 29% for pre-suit settlements (compared to the industry standard of 33.3%). No fee unless recovery is obtained.

2. Stanley & Associates, PLLC

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, premises liability, work accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, animal bite injuries, construction accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, medical bill assistance, wrongful death claims

Background: The firm is led by partners Jacob S. Hughey (Bar Card No. 24097855, licensed November 2015) and Dustin C. Brown. Attorney Hughey graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law with his J.D. in 2015 after completing his B.A. in Economics from Texas Tech University in 2011. Prior to passing the bar, he gained experience interning at the Dallas County Courthouse, the Collin County Courthouse, and private firms. Attorney Hughey has been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. The firm serves clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex including Plano, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas.

Location: 2600 K Avenue, Suite 180, Plano, TX 75074

Contact: (214) 570-4944 | https://www.seriousinjury.legal

Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement. No upfront costs. No fee unless recovery is obtained.

3. Patterson Law Group

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run accidents

Background: Patterson Law Group was founded by Managing Partner W. Travis Patterson, who received his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 2012 and his B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin in 2009 (University Honors). Prior to founding the firm, he worked at Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP in Fort Worth and Haynes and Boone, LLP in Dallas. He served as a visiting prosecutor in Arlington Municipal Court and clerked for the Honorable Lawrence E. Meyers at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and Tarrant County Bar Foundation. Recognitions include Super Lawyers Rising Star (2018-Present), National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 (2017), Fort Worth Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of Excellence (2022), and Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 Class (2023). He serves as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law. The firm has recovered millions for clients and has secured high seven-figure settlements.

Location: Serves Plano through Fort Worth, Arlington, and San Antonio offices. Main Office: 2409 Forest Park Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76110

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

Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement. No fee unless recovery is obtained. Available around-the-clock.

4. The Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C.

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

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, delivery truck accidents, rideshare accidents

Background: Attorney Joel M. Vecchio has practiced personal injury law full-time for over 23 years as an active member of the State Bar of Texas (licensed 2001). He received his J.D. from University of Tulsa College of Law in 2001 and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas (2003). He devotes 100% of his practice to personal injury law. The firm was established in 2008 and has grown from a solo practice to a multi-staff operation. Mr. Vecchio comes from a family with 11 licensed attorneys and judges across Texas and the United States. Notable settlements include $1,252,500 and $790,000 trucking collision settlements, and a $500,000 motor vehicle collision settlement. The firm offers bilingual services in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

Location: 101 E Park Blvd, Suite 450, Plano, TX 75074

Contact: (972) 380-4444 | https://www.vecchioinjurylaw.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement. Available around-the-clock. Personal attention from the attorney on every case.

5. Mullen & Mullen Law Firm – Dallas Office (Serving Plano)

Practice Focus: Car accidents, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, work injuries, product liability, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, construction accidents, delivery vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents

Background: Senior Associate Attorney Joseph R. Morrison represented in the 5th largest Texas jury verdict of 2012 as recognized by VerdictSearch (premises liability). The firm employs a full-time, skilled private investigator who begins work immediately on behalf of clients, with costs not passed on to clients. The firm’s founder, Regis L. Mullen, began his career as an insurance claims manager, giving the firm insight into how insurance companies handle claims internally. The firm has represented clients in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, slip-and-falls, and dangerous products for over 40 years. Multiple attorneys are members of the State Bar of Texas and Missouri State Bar Association.

Location: Corporate Office: 1825 Market Center Boulevard, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75207 (also serves Plano clients)

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

Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement with discounted rate of 29% for pre-suit settlements. No fee unless recovery is obtained.

Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. The clock begins on the date of the accident. Missing this deadline generally prevents recovery of compensation, even for serious injuries. Exceptions may apply for minors (the two-year period begins on their 18th birthday) and cases involving mental incapacitation.

Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Texas law allows two years from the date of the accident to file a property damage claim.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: The two-year clock for wrongful death claims starts from the date of death, not the date of the accident if they differ.

At-Fault State Status: Texas is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the person who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages. The at-fault driver’s insurance typically pays for the damages of injured parties.

Comparative Negligence Rules: Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51 percent bar. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, an injured party can recover damages only if they are 50 percent or less at fault for the accident. If the injured party is 51 percent or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation. When partial fault applies, the compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Texas requires drivers to carry liability insurance with the following minimums, commonly referred to as 30/60/25 coverage: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Texas requires all auto insurance companies to offer PIP coverage with a minimum of $2,500. PIP is automatically included in Texas auto policies unless the driver explicitly rejects it in writing. PIP covers medical bills, lost wages, and other nonmedical costs regardless of who caused the accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Texas law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, but drivers can reject it in writing. UM/UIM pays for medical bills, car repairs, and other expenses if the injured party is in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) is subject to a $250 deductible. Approximately 12-14% of Texas drivers are uninsured, making UM/UIM coverage particularly important.

Damage Caps: Texas does not impose caps on compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) in most car accident and personal injury cases. Injured parties can seek full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering without statutory limits.

Punitive Damage Caps: Punitive (exemplary) damages in Texas are capped at the greater of: $200,000, or two times the amount of economic damages plus non-economic damages not exceeding $750,000. The cap does not apply to cases involving certain felonies, including intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter, which have no statutory limit on punitive damages.

Dram Shop Liability: Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 2.02, bars, restaurants, and other alcohol providers can be held liable for serving alcohol to someone who was “obviously intoxicated to the extent that he presented a clear danger to himself and others.” The establishment must have known or should have known about the patron’s visible intoxication. Dram shop claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury.

Vicarious Liability Rules: Texas follows general vicarious liability principles. Vehicle owners may be held liable for accidents caused by someone they permitted to drive their vehicle under certain circumstances. Employers can be held liable for accidents caused by employees acting within the scope of their employment.

Reporting Requirements: Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.026, drivers involved in an accident must immediately report the accident to local police (if within a municipality) or the local sheriff’s office (if outside a municipality) if the crash resulted in injury, death, or significant property damage. Insurance companies generally require prompt reporting of accidents, though specific deadlines vary by policy.

Insurance Claim Deadlines: Under Texas law, insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 calendar days, begin an investigation, and request any additional information. After receiving all requested items, the company has 15 additional business days to accept or deny the claim. Payment must follow within 5 business days of approval. For complex claims, the carrier may extend the decision timeline to 45 days with written explanation.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance: A first offense can cost $175-$350 in fines after court fees, plus a separate state surcharge of $250 per year for three years (total $750) under the Driver Responsibility Program. Subsequent offenses can result in fines of $350-$1,000, license suspension up to two years, and vehicle impoundment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Texas law establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. This deadline begins on the date of the accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this two-year window, you will almost certainly lose your legal right to recover compensation from the at-fault party. The deadline applies regardless of whether you are still receiving medical treatment or negotiating with insurance companies. There are limited exceptions for minors, where the two-year period begins when they turn 18, and for cases involving mental incapacitation. Property damage claims also have a two-year deadline. It is advisable to consult with an attorney well before this deadline approaches, as building a strong case requires time to gather evidence, obtain medical records, and evaluate the full extent of your damages.

How does Texas’s modified comparative fault rule affect my car accident claim?

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51 percent bar, meaning you can recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages and were found to be 20 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies routinely attempt to shift blame to injured parties to reduce or eliminate their payout obligations. This makes gathering strong evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, photographs, and dashcam footage, essential to establishing the other driver’s fault and minimizing any fault attributed to you.

What compensation can I recover after a car accident in Plano or Collin County?

Texas allows car accident victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage to your vehicle, and out-of-pocket costs related to your injuries. Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. Texas does not cap these damages in standard car accident cases. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as gross negligence, fraud, or malice, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoer rather than compensate the victim. Punitive damages are subject to statutory caps in most cases.

Can I file a claim against a government vehicle or entity in Texas?

Claims against government entities in Texas, including accidents involving city buses, police vehicles, or government employees driving work vehicles, are governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act. This law provides limited waivers of sovereign immunity, allowing lawsuits against government entities in certain circumstances. However, the claims process is more complex and has shorter notice deadlines than standard personal injury claims. You typically must provide formal written notice of your claim within six months after the incident, though the specific deadline varies by the type of governmental entity. Damage caps also apply to government liability claims. Given these complexities, it is important to consult with an attorney experienced in claims against government entities as soon as possible after an accident involving a government vehicle.

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Plano?

Texas law requires you to stop at the scene, check for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Obtain the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information. Write down the responding officer’s name and badge number so you can obtain a copy of the police report later. If possible, photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses. Seek medical attention promptly, even if your injuries seem minor, as some injuries such as whiplash or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Delays in treatment can be used by insurance companies to argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the accident. Report the accident to your insurance company as required by your policy. Before providing a recorded statement or accepting any settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance company, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who can advise you on the value of your claim and protect your rights during negotiations.