Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on Dallas roads, from the congested interstates like I-35E and I-635 to the sprawling neighborhoods of North Dallas and Oak Cliff. Each crash has the potential to cause serious harm, disrupt lives, and leave victims facing overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and long-term injuries. 

At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our legal team is here to help you every step of the way. We’ll move fast to collect the evidence needed to build a strong case and fight to recover the largest possible compensation for you. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, call our personal injury lawyers in Dallas, TX, today for a free case evaluation.

Legal Requirements to Report a Car Accident in Dallas

Under Texas Transportation Code §550.026, you’re legally required to report a car accident immediately to local law enforcement if the crash involves any of the following:

• Injury or death of any person
• Damage to any vehicle that prevents it from being driven safely
• A hit-and-run scenario involving a fleeing driver

Failing to report such an accident may lead to fines, license suspension, or even jail time in serious cases. Beyond the legal obligation, filing a police report is critical for protecting your insurance claim and your ability to recover damages later in a personal injury lawsuit. 

Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Dallas, TX

In Dallas, car drivers must carry minimum liability insurance to legally operate their vehicle as follows:

• $30,000 per injured person
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

This coverage, referred to as 30/60/25, ensures basic protection if you’re at fault in a crash. Most insurance companies bundle policies to meet or exceed these state standards. Driving without minimum coverage can lead to penalties, including fines, vehicle impoundment, and license suspension.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas

Our Dallas auto accident attorneys have handled a wide range of car accident cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. While every crash is unique, many stem from the same negligent behaviors. Some of the most common causes include:

Distracted Driving

One of the leading causes of accidents in Dallas, distracted driving includes texting, using a GPS, adjusting the radio, eating, or talking to passengers while driving. Even a few seconds of inattention can result in a serious or fatal crash.

Speeding

Speeding is a contributing factor in many severe accidents. Drivers who exceed posted limits or drive too fast for road conditions have less time to react and a higher chance of causing serious injury or death.

Drunk or Drugged Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a persistent danger in Dallas. Despite strict DWI laws, intoxicated drivers continue to cause devastating accidents throughout the city, especially during weekends and holidays.

Aggressive Driving

Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, road rage, street racing, and failing to yield are all examples of aggressive driving behaviors that can quickly escalate into catastrophic collisions.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Intersection accidents are generally caused by drivers who ignore traffic signals or signs, leading to dangerous T-bone car crashes and head-on collisions.

Fatigued Driving

Drivers who operate a vehicle while drowsy pose a serious risk to everyone on the road. Fatigue can slow reaction times and impair decision-making similarly to intoxication.

Defective Vehicles or Equipment

Brake failures, tire blowouts, faulty steering systems, or other mechanical defects can lead to serious crashes. In these cases, we may pursue claims against the manufacturer or mechanic.

Laws Against Texting and Driving in Dallas, TX

In Texas, it’s illegal for any driver to send or read electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle. This includes texting, emailing, and using messaging apps. Violating this law can result in fines and even enhanced penalties if the distraction causes an accident resulting in injury or death.

Dallas has adopted the state’s ban on texting while driving and often enforces additional distracted driving measures through local ordinances. For example:

• Drivers under age 18 are prohibited from using wireless devices at all, even hands-free.
• School zones prohibit all use of handheld communication devices.
• Commercial drivers must adhere to federal bans on handheld cell phone use.

When a distracted driver causes a crash, we aggressively obtain cellphone records, surveillance footage, and witness testimony to prove negligence. Distracted driving cases usually present strong grounds for maximizing compensation due to the egregious nature of the behavior.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries in Dallas Car Accidents

Some car accidents result in serious injuries, leaving victims to struggle with lifelong consequences. At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our car crash lawyers in Dallas fight to secure justice and compensation for individuals suffering from catastrophic injuries, which require extensive treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and can alter a person’s quality of life.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

A sudden blow to the head can cause concussions, contusions, or more severe brain trauma. Symptoms may include memory loss, cognitive impairment, emotional changes, and loss of motor skills.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia. These injuries require lifelong medical care, mobility aids, and home modifications.

Amputations

Crashes involving high-speed collisions or crushing forces can lead to the loss of limbs or extremities. Amputation victims often face physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

Burn Injuries

Fires or explosions from fuel leaks and electrical malfunctions can cause severe burns, requiring multiple skin grafts and leaving permanent scars or disfigurement.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma in a car crash can rupture organs, damage blood vessels, and lead to internal bleeding that may be fatal if not treated immediately.

Complex Fractures

Broken bones from car accidents may sometimes require surgical intervention, including metal plates, screws, and lengthy rehabilitation.

Our Dallas personal injury attorney will seek maximum financial compensation for current and future medical treatment costs, income loss, lost earning capacity, and diminished quality of life.

Steps to Take After Your Car Accident in Dallas, TX

Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of a crash can affect the strength of your car accident claim. Here are the essential steps our qualified car accident attorney in Dallas recommends:

• Call 911: Always report the accident to the police. The responding officer will create an accident report that documents key facts and serves as important evidence.
• Get Medical Attention: Even if you don’t feel injured right away, see a doctor. Some injuries don’t manifest until hours or days later. Medical documentation also establishes a record of your injuries.
• Document the Scene: If you can, take photographs of the vehicles, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and other drivers.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Avoid apologizing or making statements about who caused the crash. Anything you say in personal injury cases could be used against you later by insurance adjusters.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurer promptly, but don’t provide a recorded statement without speaking to an experienced attorney first.
• Contact Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyer: The sooner you involve our law firm, the better. We preserve evidence, speak to witnesses, manage negotiations with insurers, and build your case while you focus on healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Vehicle Accidents in Dallas, TX 

What If the At-Fault Driver Was Working at the Time of the Crash?

If the at-fault driver was acting within the scope of their employment during the accident, their employer may be vicariously liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. This can apply to delivery drivers, commercial vehicle operators, or company car users.

In these cases, you may be entitled to pursue compensation from the employer’s commercial liability policy, which usually has higher coverage limits than an individual’s auto policy.

What Happens If a Road Hazard in Dallas Caused My Car Accident?

If your accident was caused by potholes, unmarked construction, faulty traffic signals, or other roadway hazards, government liability may come into play. Claims against the City of Dallas, TxDOT, or any governmental agency must comply with the Texas Tort Claims Act, which has strict notice requirements (often within six months). Sovereign immunity limits the types of claims that can be filed, so quick legal action is essential.

Can I Still File a Claim If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?

Yes. While Texas law mandates the use of seat belts, not wearing one doesn’t automatically bar accident victims from seeking financial recovery. However, it may be used against you under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule. 

A jury could assign a portion of fault to you for failing to mitigate your own injuries, which would reduce your compensation accordingly. In Dallas, TX, you can still recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault.

Can I File a Claim If My Accident Involved an Autonomous Car?

Car accidents involving autonomous vehicles, whether fully driverless or using semi-autonomous features like Tesla’s Autopilot, raise complex liability issues. In these cases, liability may lie with:

• The vehicle’s operator (if human error contributed)
• The automaker or software developer (for system failure or defective programming)
• A fleet operator or tech company, in the case of ride-hailing services

Our experienced car accident attorney in Dallas may bring a product liability claim in addition to a standard negligence claim as part of the legal process. These emerging cases require advanced investigation and technical expertise.

Can I Recover Compensation for Emotional Distress or PTSD After a Car Accident in Dallas?

Dallas car accident statistics reveal a high rate of physical injuries as well as emotional distress for the victims.  In Texas, emotional damages such as mental anguish, anxiety, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be compensated in personal injury claims, especially when supported by a psychologist’s or licensed counselor’s evaluation. 

What If the Other Car Driver Was Underinsured or Uninsured?

Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many motorists remain uninsured or underinsured. If you’re injured in an automobile accident by one of them, you may file a claim under your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you carry it. 

This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for car accident victims. If you don’t have UM/UIM, you may need to pursue a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver personally, though recovery may be limited.

How Is Liability Handled in Multi-Car Pileups in Dallas?

Determining fault in a multi-vehicle crash (also called a chain-reaction collision) requires a detailed investigation. Liability may be split between multiple drivers depending on their:

• Speed
• Following distance
• Road conditions
• Point of impact

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning each party’s compensation is adjusted based on their percentage of fault. A Dallas car accident attorney may hire accident reconstruction experts to sort out complex liability in multi-car pileups.

Are Dash Cams Admissible as Evidence in Texas Courts?

Yes, dash cam footage can be used as admissible evidence in personal injury lawsuits in Texas. If properly authenticated, this video can prove liability, show the severity of impact, or refute false claims. We encourage clients to preserve dash cam data and provide copies to their legal team early in the investigation process.

Get Strong Legal Representation from Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyer

When you hire Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, you get a legal team that treats your case with urgency, compassion, and professionalism. Here’s how our personal injury lawyer will provide Dallas accident legal help:

• Investigate the accident thoroughly, including obtaining black box data, surveillance video, and accident reconstruction analysis
• Handle all communications with the insurance companies so you can avoid the stress of adjusters and lowball settlement offers
• Assess your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and future care needs
• Negotiate assertively for a fair settlement based on strong evidence, while remaining prepared to go to trial if necessary
• File a lawsuit within the statute of limitations (typically two years in Texas) and represent you aggressively in court if negotiations fail

Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid any attorney fees unless we win your case. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 1-844-DEMANDA or contact us online.