A crash on LBJ Freeway or Central Expressway can change your life in seconds. Medical bills pile up while insurance adjusters pressure you into quick settlements that barely cover a fraction of your losses. You're dealing with injuries, missing work, and wondering how you'll pay for the care you need.
Bailey & Galyen has represented Dallas car accident victims for more than 40 years. Our attorneys understand Texas traffic laws, know how insurance companies operate in Dallas County, and have the resources to build strong cases that pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
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Why Choose Bailey & Galyen for Your Dallas Car Accident Case
Dallas drivers encounter unique challenges after a collision. Our firm maintains offices throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, giving us deep knowledge of busy intersections such as Abrams Road and Skillman Street, high-risk corridors along Interstate 35E through Oak Cliff, and the congested stretches of the Dallas North Tollway near the Medical District.
Our team approach brings together multiple attorneys and staff who contribute their combined experience to every part of your case. Dallas County recorded 52,449 total crashes, 338 fatalities, and 1,727 suspected serious injuries in 2023, according to Texas Department of Transportation data. These figures reflect the scope of Dallas County crashes and injuries.
Bailey & Galyen offers free consultations for personal injury claims. We work on contingency, meaning there are no upfront costs and no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Call our Dallas office at (972) 449-1241 or contact us online today to discuss your accident with experienced attorneys who fight for fair compensation.
Understanding Car Accident Compensation in Dallas
Several factors affect the value of your car accident claim. Knowing what these elements are will help you figure out if an offer is fair, since each part deals with a different type of loss you've experienced.
Injury Severity and Medical Proof
What really determines how much compensation you get is the severity of your injury. Typically, serious injuries like brain or spinal damage lead to bigger settlements than something like a minor soft tissue injury. That's why solid medical records that prove the extent of your injury and your expected recovery are absolutely crucial evidence.
Economic Damages
When you're in a car accident, your economic damages cover all the money you lose because of the crash. This includes your medical bills—things like emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and any equipment you need. If you'll need ongoing treatment or future procedures, those medical expenses count, too.
You can also get compensation for lost wages from missed work. And if your injuries are serious enough to cause lasting disabilities that limit your future earning potential, especially if you're a younger worker, you can seek compensation for those major future financial losses.
Property Damage and Diminished Value
Property damage isn't just about the immediate cost to fix your car. One thing people often don't realize is that you might be able to claim for the diminished value of your car, but only if you're making a liability claim against the insurance of the driver who caused the accident. If you're using your own insurance (a first-party policy) in Texas, they usually won't cover diminished value as long as they make proper repairs, which is in line with the Texas Department of Insurance Bulletin B-0027-00.
Non-Economic Damages
Think of non-economic damages as covering the tough stuff—like the pain you're feeling, emotional distress, losing your ability to enjoy life, or any permanent scarring. How much you can recover depends on things like how long your injuries last, the kind of treatment you need, and how the accident limits your daily life. Keep in mind that insurance policy limits usually set the absolute maximum on what you can get.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle in Dallas
Dallas's extensive road network sees many types of crashes, each with distinct injury patterns and legal issues. Our attorneys have handled every major accident category throughout Dallas County.
Rear-End Collisions on Dallas Freeways
Stop-and-go traffic on the Central Expressway and LBJ Freeway frequently results in rear-end crashes. Distracted driving—texting, eating, adjusting navigation systems—causes many of these collisions. Texas law prohibits reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while driving statewide under Texas Transportation Code § 545.4251, but does not currently ban handheld phone calls for adult drivers, except in active school zones, construction zones, and for drivers younger than 18.
A first offense for texting while driving carries a fine of $25–$99, while subsequent violations may result in fines up to $200. If texting while driving leads to serious injury or death, the offense may be prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor with possible jail time and a fine up to $4,000.
T-Bone Crashes at Dallas Intersections
It's scary how often side-impact collisions happen at Dallas intersections when drivers blow through red lights or don't yield while turning left. Think about busy spots like Mockingbird Lane and Greenville Avenue near SMU—they see a lot of crashes. Unfortunately, these wrecks can cause really bad injuries because car doors just don't offer the same protection as the front or back of the car.
Multi-Vehicle Highway Pile-Ups
Dallas's high-speed freeways create conditions that can lead to devastating multi-vehicle crashes during sudden weather changes. Fog near the Trinity River bottoms and ice on elevated sections of I-35E create particularly dangerous conditions.
Texas's Move Over/Slow Down law under Texas Transportation Code § 545.157 requires drivers to either vacate the lane closest to stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights or slow down by 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Violations are punishable by a $500–$1,250 fine; $1,000–$2,000 for a second offense within five years; Class A misdemeanor if the offense results in bodily injury; and a state jail felony for a second or subsequent offense involving bodily injury.
Intersection Collisions in Entertainment Districts
Busy Dallas intersections along Greenville Avenue, in Lower Greenville, and throughout Deep Ellum see frequent collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Texas law bars all wireless device use by drivers under age 18 and bans any handheld device use by any driver in school zones under Texas Transportation Code § 545.425.
Rideshare Vehicle Accidents
Because so many people in Dallas use Uber and Lyft, we see a lot of unique accident cases with complicated insurance issues. Figuring out if the rideshare driver was waiting for a ride, on the way to pick someone up, or already driving a passenger changes which insurance company has to pay.
Pedestrian Accidents Near Transit Areas
Dallas's car-centric design makes pedestrian accidents common where walkability and traffic mix—near DART stations, in Uptown, and around Victory Park. These accidents often cause catastrophic injuries due to the vulnerability of pedestrians struck by vehicles.
Texas Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Claim
Texas law sets clear rules that directly affect your ability to recover compensation after a crash. Three key laws shape nearly every Dallas car accident case.
Statute of Limitations Deadline
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing this deadline typically means losing your claim entirely.
Comparative Negligence Rules
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Section 33.001 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Injured parties can recover damages as long as they're not more than 50% responsible for the accident, but their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Insurers may try to shift blame onto victims, even in clear-fault cases. We'll help you build a solid case with strong evidence to protect your right to full compensation.
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
Texas requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage under Texas Transportation Code § 601.072. These minimums often don't cover anywhere near what you need after a serious accident.
How Insurance Companies Operate After Dallas Accidents
Insurance companies use tactics aimed at minimizing what they pay accident victims. Understanding these strategies helps you recognize when adjusters are prioritizing corporate profits over your legitimate recovery needs.
Early Settlement Pressure
Insurance adjusters may contact victims within hours of accidents, often while they are still hospitalized. Adjusters push quick settlements before the full extent of injuries is known. These early offers typically represent a fraction of the actual claim value.
Recorded Statements and Questioning
Adjusters might request recorded statements while victims are confused or in pain, using carefully worded questions designed to create admissions of fault or minimize injury severity. Seemingly harmless questions may be used later to weaken your claim.
Surveillance and Social Media
In some cases, insurance companies hire investigators to photograph claimants performing physical activities and monitor social media accounts. A vacation photo or gym check-in can be used to suggest you're not actually injured.
Delay and Documentation Tactics
Delays are designed to pressure injured people into accepting inadequate settlements. Insurers might drag out investigations, request repetitive documentation, and delay responses while medical bills accumulate.
Medical Necessity Challenges
Insurance companies may challenge medical treatment as unnecessary or excessive, refuse to pay for certain procedures, or claim pre-existing conditions caused your injuries. They employ medical experts whose job is finding reasons to deny or reduce claims.
How Legal Representation Strengthens Your Position
Legal representation brings substantial advantages that directly impact claim outcomes. Attorneys eliminate direct insurance company contact, protecting you from pressure tactics and manipulation attempts.
Expert Resources
Attorneys may consult with accident reconstruction experts who analyze crash dynamics, biomechanical specialists who link injuries to collision forces, and economic experts who calculate lifetime financial losses. These experts provide credible testimony that insurers cannot easily dismiss.
Shield From Insurer Tactics
Your attorney handles all communications, protecting you from recorded statement traps and settlement pressure. Insurance companies take represented claimants more seriously because they know experienced attorneys will pursue full compensation through trial if necessary.
Comparative Fault Strategy
Attorneys understand Texas comparative negligence rules and build cases that minimize client fault percentages. This knowledge directly impacts your compensation since every percentage point of fault assigned to you reduces your recovery.
Measured Impact on Outcomes
Represented auto-injury claimants tend to receive higher payments than unrepresented claimants. Legal representation brings specific advantages, including:
- Access to medical specialists who review records and connect injuries directly to the collision
- Investigation resources that gather evidence insurance companies often overlook
- Negotiation experience that recognizes unfair settlement tactics and counters them effectively
- Litigation capability that motivates insurers to offer fair settlements rather than face trial
Critical Steps After a Dallas Car Accident
Acting quickly after a crash helps protect both your health and your legal rights. Follow these essential steps to strengthen your position.
Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation
Medical evaluation takes absolute priority, even if your injuries seem minor initially. Adrenaline masks pain, and some serious injuries don't show symptoms for hours or days. Visiting an emergency room such as Parkland Memorial Hospital or Baylor University Medical Center creates documentation linking your injuries to the crash.
Obtain Police Reports
Texas law requires you to immediately report a crash if anyone is injured or killed, or if a vehicle can't be safely driven. Officers must file a written report if there is injury, death, or apparent property damage of at least $1,000.
Collect and Preserve Evidence
Photos of vehicle damage, intersection layout, traffic signals, road conditions, and visible injuries preserve critical information. Witness contact information offers independent verification that insurers can't dispute as easily as your own account.
Document Everything Related to Your Injuries
Keep all medical records, bills, prescriptions, and treatment plans in one organized location. Save receipts for accident-related expenses to support economic damage claims. Keep a recovery journal noting daily pain levels, affected activities, appointments, and emotional effects.
Avoid Insurance Company Traps
Once you're safely home and beginning your recovery, protect your legal rights by avoiding common insurance company pitfalls:
- Don't give recorded statements to any insurance company—even your own—without legal guidance.
- Refuse quick settlement offers before you understand the full extent of your injury and claim value.
- Never sign releases without knowing exactly what you're giving up.
FAQ for Dallas Car Accident Lawyers
What If the At-Fault Driver Left the Scene?
Hit-and-run accidents complicate recovery, but options remain. Report the incident to police immediately and provide any details about the fleeing vehicle. Your uninsured motorist coverage typically applies to hit-and-run crashes. Gather witness statements and check for surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras. An attorney can help identify the at-fault driver through investigative resources and pursue all available insurance coverage.
Can I Switch Lawyers If I'm Unhappy With My Current Attorney?
You have the right to change legal representation at any time during your case. Review your current retainer agreement to understand any fee obligations. Most personal injury cases use contingency agreements, meaning the new attorney typically works out compensation arrangements with your previous lawyer. Switching early in your case creates fewer complications than changing representation close to trial.
How Do Pre-Existing Injuries Affect My Claim?
Pre-existing conditions don't prevent you from recovering compensation for new injuries or worsening of existing conditions caused by the accident. Texas law allows recovery for aggravation of pre-existing injuries. Medical documentation becomes critical—doctors must clearly distinguish between pre-existing conditions and crash-related harm. Insurance companies may exploit pre-existing injuries to deny claims, making strong medical evidence and legal representation particularly important.
What If I Was Injured as a Passenger?
Passengers injured in crashes typically have multiple insurance options. You might file claims against the driver of the vehicle you occupied, the other driver, or both if multiple parties share fault. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also apply. Passenger claims avoid comparative negligence concerns since passengers rarely bear fault for collisions, often resulting in stronger claims than driver cases.
Do I Need to Use the Insurance Company's Preferred Repair Shop?
Texas law does not require you to use the insurance company's preferred repair facility. You have the right to choose your own repair shop. Insurance companies might suggest their network shops offer guarantees, but any reputable shop stands behind its work. Your chosen facility might provide better quality repairs or more accurate damage assessments that support your diminished value claim.
Contact Bailey & Galyen About Your Dallas Car Accident
If you've been in a car accident, you're likely facing some huge challenges right now: skyrocketing medical bills, the stress of dealing with insurance companies, lost income, and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. You don't have to face these challenges alone.
Free consultations for personal injury claims mean you can discuss your accident with our experienced attorneys without any financial obligation. We work on contingency—no upfront costs, no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Call Bailey & Galyen at (972) 449-1241 to schedule your free consultation. Timing matters in car accident cases. Getting legal help early protects your rights from the start. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward after your Dallas car accident.